I agree 100% that the Sherline tongue jack is an essential tool for RV'rs to use to tune their weights and balance.

I would say that more likely too LITTLE tongue weight is a greater cause of trailer sway.

Too MUCH tongue weight on a setup that doesn't properly transfer weight BACK TO the front axle and lightens the front axle to the point that the steer axle is light and requires lots of steering wheel inputs which causes the driver to steer back and forth, back and forth, back and forth...those inputs the driver is always playing catch up and that induces steering sway to the setup...so too MUCH tongue weight can cause sway but I feel the culprit on many bumper pulled trailers is the opposite...to LITTLE tongue weight causes sway...this is just my opinion.

Regardless...setting up your trailer to present 12-13% tongue weight of the overall LOADED trailer is a great starting point.

Joe.

 

Before you do 1&2 you might want to try 3, after installing my Ride Rites and I put the air to it (20lbs) the rear end got raised and pushed some of the weight to the steer and what little wander I had not towing disappeared, the wander I had when towing that was exagerated by the weight of the 35ft Airstream camper (@10,000lbs) also disappeared once I increased the air to 45lbs and it pushed the weight to the steer, I had to try different air settings from 10-100 at 10lb increments and driving 20 interstate miles and this is how I found the best combination.

Sarge

 

Yes, you are correct. It is too LITTLE tongue weight that can cause sway. Too much tongue weight can sag the rear end and cause lightened steering feel, but it will NOT cause sway. As you correctly stated.

 

If they still sagged, there were other problems. My 2000 4x4 X, with RAS and Hellwig installed, does not sag one bit with my 30' 8k lb Puma TT hitched. I still use a WDH, and have it set up properly. With all this, my X is a tow monster. My wife drives it while camping with no problems.

Your air bags are fine, if that's what you prefer, but they do nothing for axle distortion or wrap....


Bob

 

Thanks everyone for you rinput. I have been out of town for a week visiting my family in Central NY. While there, (with a mechanic brother), we installed the Hellwig rear sway bar, discovered that the rubber bumper on the driver side traction control bar was obliterated, replaced both sides of those, put on a new serpentine belt and installed the Timbren SES set. Drove better coming back home (escept on braking which Landyot describes well in his write-up) and looking forward to seeinghow it does in towing. Back end sits up a little higher and looks great! Still reading everyone's experiences and suggestions.

I do use a Reese WDH with sway control and I think it is set up properly. I don't have a set of scales and I will look for someone who does or a place to get it weighed. I'm going to call my local RV shop and see if they have any. Thanks everyone!

 

Don't be counting on your Helwig to ease all your towing pain. I have fond memories of when towing a 34" triple axle Avion with a stock Excursion was a comfortable pleasure. I have read positive opinions on this site of the Helwig, RAS, Bilstein aftermarket accessories. So, to make the good better, I added the Helwig sway bar, RAS and Bilstien shocks to my truck. As a result towing has become a dreaded nightmare for me. I figured the RAS was the culprit by interfering with the rear to front weight shift induced by the WD hitch. The RAS also lifted the rear of the truck approx. 2.25 inches, giving it a weird jacked up and unbalanced look and throwing off my hitch set up. Removal of the RAS was less costly than a new drop hitch so I had the RAS taken off. It is for sale. I have made another trip 300 miles each way and the tow is still horrendous tho a little less bad. I'm taking the truck in this week to have the front end components checked out for wear. If the front end work doesn't get me in the comfort zone I'm definitely out of the towing business until I put together a dually/fifth wheel combo. I'm looking into storing the trailer at the beach and retiring the Ex for a B class camper for traveling. All said, there is a whole lot of engineering in our Ford trucks and I am burned out on the after market add ons, It's stock for me all the way. Oh, except for my tuner, that crazy acceleration and black exhaust smoke is just way tooo much fun when passing road hogging bicyclists.

 

I'm sure we can get to the bottom of your towing issues...However I'd suggest a new thread though to not hijack Tim's...

I agree that it is a delicate balance to find the right towing handle on our Ex's...I don't think a Hellwig rear sway bar or a set of shocks would be contributing to your recent issues though...

Good luck...if you would like some help...start a new thread and I know others will chime in.

Joe.