I've often bragged on the performance of my Excursion and 34' Avion travel trailer combination. As I looked here for tire advice, I learned about the Hellwig rear sway bar and the RAS system and was so impressed by comments that I ordered them and had the installation done along with an exact tire replacement. I was excited about setting off on the holday trip to the beach in my new rig. Not far down the road I realized a terrific disappointment in the handling of my rig. With 300 miles to go, it was as if I were trying to guide a block of jello down the interstate. Grateful to be at my destination and totally undone, I aired the truck tires up to 80 from 60 and hoped for the best. It was a long 300 mile white knuckle drive home. The radio broadcast of the Clemson-Carolina game helped a little bit.
I wouldn't expect the sway bar would throw off my towing setup. I have concluded that while good in some applications, the RAS is not compatible with my weight distribution hitch and is causing intolerable interference. Unless I get some problem solving advice, I intend to remove the RAS before towing again and see if that puts me back to my previous comfort zone. If it doesn't, the Hellwig will come off next. I had a really great factory rig that is now totally screwed up as a result of one or both of these add-ons. It's not about the money as much as the safety and confidence on the highway.

 

was it towing better before the RAS was installed? 2 or 4wd. can you be more specific about the problem. was it constant, only when coasting, braking accelerating etc? excessive trailer sway??? etc...

 

Just as a thought.

IF your rig was set just right before the mods, then the trouble may be with the RAS, but only indirectly.

The RAS has increased the rate of the rear sporings. It has also increased the height at the ball, changing the angle of the springs.

You probably set the WD springs based on the number of links. With the change in rear spring rates, and the ball height change, using the same link position will result in too light of a Weight distribution, and not putting enough weight on the front.

This can make your steering squirrely, and cause bouncing at the rear axle.

The fix is:

Re-set the WD hitch ball height, and springbar angle as per the manufacturers instructions. If you do not know how, or otherwise do not wish to do it yourself, take it to the RV dealer and have them do it.

The setup should be re-set every time a height or spring rate change is done.


Bion

 

Also, just to test if this is the problem, change the links that you are hooking to. If you are currently using link 5, try link 4 to increase the load on the front wheels and see if things improve. If it does, then reset the hitch system as noted above.

 

I love when someone answers my question before I even ask it! I have Santa bringing me the RAS and was wondering if I'd have to change anything on my WD hitch. Thanks Housedad! From the

 

Thanks Housedad, I didn't even think about working with the links on the chains. What a dummy. I'll measure the ball height and try resetting all that stuff relevant to the hitch and give it a tow before taking the RAS off. And yes, Soutthpaw I towed better before but as always, just seeking perfection. Thanks guys.

 

Bion gave you good advice with resetting the WD hitch...

The RAS 'should' not affect you in a negative way (directly)...

What I would suspect more would be the tires...

When were they replaced?...it can take upwards of 1000 miles for tires to break in properly...especially for towing...so if you don't have a lot of miles on the Ex since the new tires...that could be part of your issue also...

What pressure did you normally run when towing?

I assume you are running the same pressure you normally run?

What I would suggest is to completely recheck/resetup your WD and verify via a scale that you are transfering the proper weight back to the front axle...this is key...

Next if you don't have many miles on the tires...I'd give them some time to break in too before starting to pull parts off of the Ex...

Finally I'd play with tire pressures some...even though you said 'exact' replacement...the mfg could have made a rubber formulation change (i.e. COST SAVINGS METHODS) and that could be causing you issues too even though you think you got the same tires...just a thought...

Good luck and keep us informed...if you have any questions on setting up the WD hitch...see this link RV.Net Open Roads Forum: Towing: Travel Trailer Hitch Set-up Procedure

Joe.

 

Thanks for the additional info X Hemi. I put that link right into my favorites so I wont have any trouble later--ha yeah right

 

My RAS got me almost 2 full inches of lift in the back and probably more than that with a loaded trailer on it since it then increases the spring rate.