Why is this

ardenrj · 05-23-2006, 10:39 PM

Wondering why I never feel sway? Big trucks pass me going either way, high winds hit me, no noticable sway. Here is what I have: 2004 F150 5.4 gas engine,tow pakage, 145" wheel base. Pulling a 2004 19' Bambi. Using an Eze Lift hitch with 1000 pound WD bars, (which seems like way too much but my AS dealer says to use them). Also use a Reese anti sway bar.

From what I have read on this site I know that this is not the best set up and I would like to get a Reece dual cam but it seems like this set up is working just fine. Why is this?

**Stefrobrts** · 05-23-2006, 11:11 PM

Why would that not be an adequate setup? You have a long wheelbase truck pulling a short, light trailer, plus sway control and weight distribution. It sounds like our setup, except our trailer is lighter and we don't use WD bars, and we've never felt sway under any conditions either.

SilverRanger · 05-24-2006, 03:10 AM

We have a very similar set up, traveled thousands of miles in all kinds of weather and road conditions, and have not experienced any sway at all. I think it's a solid equipment combination and it tows easily, but I'm not going to discount the possibility of it eventually happening.

**overlander63** · 05-24-2006, 05:06 AM

We feel sway with our combo, but we have a high-profile vehicle (high-top conversion van) towing a much longer, heavier trailer than you.
Remember the old adage: If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It!

thecatsandi · 05-24-2006, 07:23 AM

Large truck, small trailer plenty of stabilization in between. Sounds like a good combo to me.
I have F-250 with dual cams and a Classic 31. I wil feel sway with a truck passes to close. I have taken to looking in the mirrow frequently to move over when a truck tries to pass too close.

peegreen · 05-24-2006, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thecatsandi

Large truck, small trailer plenty of stabilization in between. Sounds like a good combo to me.
I have F-250 with dual cams and a Classic 31. I wil feel sway with a truck passes to close. I have taken to looking in the mirrow frequently to move over when a truck tries to pass too close.

I have a similar setup with an Excursion (250 chassis) and a 32'. I feel sway when passed by a large vehicle and quite a bit of instability that requires constant correction at speeds around 65mph. I just measured my WD bars for my dual cams and they appear to be 1000#. After reading all the recent threads on being over hitched, I think I'm not flexing the bars enough in order to apply enough pressure at the cam points for the sway control to react. My hitch setup came from the PO who towed with a 2500 Suburban. You would think the original dealer who set up the hitch would have used the proper equipment. I looked at it going from essentially similar TV's. If I need lighter bars, are they still available from Reese? Browsing thru their web site, it appears they have a newer style of WD bars - cam is integral part of the bar where mine are attached with u bolts. I can't even determine what the correct size bars I'm supposed to have from the info they provide. My next step is to contact a local RV dealer that sells Reese for assistance. I don't have the hitch weight readily available, but with the Excursion stiffly sprung, what WD bars should I be using to get the most out of the sway control and not shear the rivets off on the trailer?

**CanoeStream** · 05-24-2006, 05:30 PM

Ditto on Michelle's comments (3/4 ton GMC Sierra and 25' FB Safari). I feel it to a small degree yet have gotten to the point I don't monitor for trucks in the rearviews.

Now ... I have seen terrible winds and I would advise you modify your approach in strong side wind situations until you know otherwise. A semi truck passing could expose your trailer to a sudden blast an order of magnitude larger than what you expect.