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06-28-2008, 08:10 PM
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#1
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3 Rivet Member
1986 25' Sovereign
Wichita Falls
, Texas
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 100
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Bad sway problem
I was just out on the maiden voyage for me and my "new to me" AS and found that on the interstates the large trucks caused me to be sucked towards them as they came up on me and then shoved the airstream back and forth as they passed. This made for sobering driving! If I went over 60-which I don't really need to do anyway, the sway would be so bad I had to slow to 45 and then speed back up. Is it the hitch? I have a reese hitch with leveler bars. (if that is what they are called)
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06-28-2008, 08:51 PM
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#2
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Moderator
2015 25' FB Flying Cloud
2012 23' FB Flying Cloud
2005 25' Safari
Santa Rosa Beach
, Florida
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,153
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That should NOT be happening. You are probably not properly set up. Tell us about your tow vehicle and post pictures of your set up. We need to see what you've got and how it's connected to give you advice.
Brian
__________________
SuEllyn & Brian McCabe
WBCCI #3628 -- AIR #14872 -- TAC #FL-7
2015 FC 25' FB (Lucy) with ProPride
2020 Silverado 2500 (Vivian)
2023 Rivian R1T (Opal)
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06-28-2008, 09:38 PM
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#3
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Moderator
2004 30' Classic Slideout
Fenton
, Missouri
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 10,401
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Quote:
Originally Posted by frscott
I was just out on the maiden voyage for me and my "new to me" AS and found that on the interstates the large trucks caused me to be sucked towards them as they came up on me and then shoved the airstream back and forth as they passed. This made for sobering driving! If I went over 60-which I don't really need to do anyway, the sway would be so bad I had to slow to 45 and then speed back up. Is it the hitch? I have a reese hitch with leveler bars. (if that is what they are called)
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If you can show us a picture of your trailer and tow vehicle hitched on level ground, that might be a start for us to diagnose. You do need some sway control with your reese hitch and leveler bars (and you haven't noted that), but we do need to look at that hitched combo to see if you might a situation where you have lifted that trailer too high with your leveler bars or have some other hitch abnormality.
Jack
__________________
Jack Canavera
STL Mo.
AIR #56 S/OS#15
'04 Classic 30' S.O.,'03 GMC Savana 2500
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06-28-2008, 09:47 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
1978 31' Excella 500
Venice
, California
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 1,067
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The Bernoulli effect will cause attraction between your rig and a passing truck. The faster you are going the more pronounced the effect. You should be able to feel it, BUT what you describe indicates that more is going on. Possibly, there is too much downward force on your hitch lifting too much weight off of the TV's front wheels. Yo may conversely have too little weight on the rear axel. A weight distributing hitch can work for you or against you depending upon how you set it up. Many of us also use some sort of anti-sway system along with the weight distribution.
__________________
"Not all who are laundering are washed" say Bill & Heidi
'78 Excella 500,"The Silver Pullit". vacuum over hydraulic disc brakes, center bath, rear twin. '67 Travelall 1200 B 4X4 WBCCI 3737
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06-28-2008, 11:06 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
Corona
, California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
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Quote:
Originally Posted by frscott
I was just out on the maiden voyage for me and my "new to me" AS and found that on the interstates the large trucks caused me to be sucked towards them as they came up on me and then shoved the airstream back and forth as they passed. This made for sobering driving! If I went over 60-which I don't really need to do anyway, the sway would be so bad I had to slow to 45 and then speed back up. Is it the hitch? I have a reese hitch with leveler bars. (if that is what they are called)
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Please list the make and rating of your hitch.
Also, what kind of tow vehicle do you have?
Depending on the answers to those questions, the answers could lead to the cause of the problem.
Andy
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06-29-2008, 07:15 AM
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#6
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3 Rivet Member
1992 34' Limited
Grand Island
, Nebraska
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 248
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FRScott,
Check your email. I sent something that may be a help.
Gene
__________________
'92 Limited 34ft (now sold); '96 Dodge Cummins 4X2, 5speed
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06-29-2008, 08:18 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1971 25' Tradewind
1993 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Estancia
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,742
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Ditto the above replies. Also are you using a sway bar in addtion to the weight distributing hitch?
__________________
Sail on silver girl. Sail on by. Your time has come to shine.
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06-29-2008, 08:28 AM
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#8
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
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, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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I know of several people that have had bad accidents using WD, but not sway control. Most of these were relatively new people that had recently purchased their coaches, and the dealer had installed the system for them.
Also, it helps immensely to fill the fresh water tank before traveling. That extra 350+ pounds of water, mounted in front of the axles, under the floor, does a lot for the stability of the rig.
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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06-29-2008, 08:42 AM
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#9
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2 Rivet Member
1967 26' Overlander
albuquerque
, New Mexico
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 96
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Slightly Off Topic
Friday driving near Laguna NM (just East) I got hit with a wind burst that was just extreme. I use the little towing mirrors that strap to the main side mirror, and the driver side Truck and Towing mirror slammed into the door window with such force i am suprised it didn't break the mirror. I am not realy sure if the wind or my reaction to it put me into oscillation. I was pretty quick to hit the brake controller while accelerating and it corrected in about three movements. I pulled over the next stop, checked everything out, everything was ok.
I never have problems with trucks and in general am pretty pleased with my towing setup. One of those freaks of nature, but can tell you I am really glad I had the brake controller.
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06-29-2008, 08:48 AM
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#10
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
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, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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Actually, it's not off-topic, it certainly has to do with trailer sway, even though natural-wind induced, rather than mechanically-induced.
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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06-29-2008, 11:18 AM
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#11
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Rivet Master
1978 31' Excella 500
Venice
, California
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 1,067
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Don't let your wind speed become your air speed.
__________________
"Not all who are laundering are washed" say Bill & Heidi
'78 Excella 500,"The Silver Pullit". vacuum over hydraulic disc brakes, center bath, rear twin. '67 Travelall 1200 B 4X4 WBCCI 3737
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06-29-2008, 06:25 PM
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#12
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3 Rivet Member
1986 25' Sovereign
Wichita Falls
, Texas
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 100
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Wow! many responses, and I am going to have to claim ignorant on most. I just bought the trailer and it came with a hitch which I have no clue what rating or anything else other than it has Reese on it. My TV is a 1999 Suburban 1500, and I did find that the links on the leveler bars did matter as to how tight or loose I kept them. The vehicle does not "v" in the middle all that noticeably, but I do not have a picture of the two together and for now I keep it (the AS) 120 miles away because we have not made a place for the trailer at our house, a coming project. Should I just start from scratch and buy a new hitch?
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06-29-2008, 06:36 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2006 19' Safari SE
Tucson
, Arizona
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,627
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My recommendation? Give the knowledgeable folks here the info they requested ASAP and let them take a gander before you go out and buy a new hitch...it may just be a matter of proper adjustments, etc...
__________________
TB & Greg and Abbey Schnauzer
AirForums #21900
PastPrez, 4CU/WBCCI
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06-29-2008, 07:08 PM
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#14
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Site Team
2002 25' Safari
Dewey
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 15,606
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It sounds like you may have a Reese trunnion head weight distribution hitch. If you do, this document will step you through all the adjustment.
__________________
Richard
Wally Byam Airstream Club 7513
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06-29-2008, 07:20 PM
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#15
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
West of Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 6,699
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Quote:
Should I just start from scratch and buy a new hitch?
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No, don't do anything until you figure out what's going on. I have towed a 25' A/S with that hitch set-up to Yellowstone and back with a Tahoe. No problems. There seems to be something else happening, the comments above are good, and point you in the right direction.
A plus is that you seem to recognize that you don't know anything about towing, good for you! We all start out at the same level - novices.
Too many folks try to bluff their way through. There is too much at stake safety wise to not take all of the precautions you can.
Keep us updated.
Dave
__________________
AIR #15800
"Wimpy" 1/2 ton 2002 GMC Sierra 4X4 Z-71 Gasser
2000 Safari SS 25'
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06-29-2008, 09:09 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
Corona
, California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
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Quote:
Originally Posted by frscott
Wow! many responses, and I am going to have to claim ignorant on most. I just bought the trailer and it came with a hitch which I have no clue what rating or anything else other than it has Reese on it. My TV is a 1999 Suburban 1500, and I did find that the links on the leveler bars did matter as to how tight or loose I kept them. The vehicle does not "v" in the middle all that noticeably, but I do not have a picture of the two together and for now I keep it (the AS) 120 miles away because we have not made a place for the trailer at our house, a coming project. Should I just start from scratch and buy a new hitch?
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If you have a Reese hitch, then the following will help you to find out what rating bars you have.
Measure the top of the square bar as it enters the trunnion.
1" = 500#
1 1/8 " = 750#
1 1/4" = 1000#
Post a picture of the bars and of your sway control.
Several owners here can also help you.
With your tow vehicle, you should not use more than a 550 to 600 pound Reese hitch with the dual cam sway control.
Andy
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06-29-2008, 09:10 PM
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#17
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Rivet Master
1998 31' Excella 1000
South Berwick
, Maine
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 709
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Ever since I picked up my latest trailer last summer with new Reese DC I was experiencing horrible sway problems and especially once I got over 60mph. A passenger car passing me would send me on the shoulder. I was driving white knuckled and would look for the semi's half mile behind waiting in fear as they approached. Going downhill was even worse as the trailer was pushing the TV and magnifying the sway. I had grabbed the brake controller on several occassions. Mind you, my truck weighs in at 8000#. Everyone had advice - it's a Ford, it will tow badly, you need a new hitch (the really expensive kind), suspension.... I replaced the OEM shocks with something a little more respectable. Installed a Hellwig heavy duty rear sway bar. No change. Add more links, raise ball height - still no better. When I arrived home from a recent trip, I pulled very straight in front of the house, got down to take a close inspection of the hitch. I noticed that the detents in the spring bars were not fully engaging the cams and were actually uneven side to side. It appears the trailer was continuously trying to align itself into the cams which was causing the sway. It also appears the frame plate which holds the cam arm assembly is installed on the wrong sides (curbside should be on street side and vice versa). They are now adjusted to the maximum limit and could use a very minor tweek, but I need to reverse them and drill new holes in the A frame. A week later I towed for 300 miles and you know the saying that's hard to believe, "I don't even know it's behind me"; well that was my experience. I felt no movement from semi's, busses and dump trucks (I think big offenders to the getting sucked in feeling). No sway whatsoever. At my destination, a fellow forums member took a once over, did some basic wheel well measurements and determined I had zero weight distribution. A couple notches tilting the hitch head back made a huge difference. Didn't notice much difference towing, but on the ride home I was minus 50 gallons fresh water. I'm not saying this is your problem, but there is hope that your problem will be found and corrected. Your towing experience should be a pleasurable and enjoyable. Start with a close inspection of your hitch setup.
__________________
WBCCI 24291
New England Unit
Metropolitan NY Unit
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06-29-2008, 10:52 PM
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#18
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Rivet Master
1951 21' Flying Cloud
1960 24' Tradewind
West Coast
, BC
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,790
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One caution - if you do happen to experience sway make sure you actually physically check the tightness of your wheel lug nuts on the trailer and the rear wheels of the TV with a wrench. Just feeling the lug nuts or pulling/pushing on the wheel will not give you an accurate reading on whether it is starting to loosen off or not. I speak from experience on this having had a wheel come loose after a load shifted in our trailer and we experienced a bout of severe sway coming out of a curve on a winding mountain pass road.
We also learned from the tire dealer located in a close by small mountain community that torque specs need to be reconsidered when you are towing and then again towing in mountains where there are a lot of curves. The tire dealer sees this all the time - wheels (typically mag wheels but also steel) torqued to manufacturers specs and coming loose while driving and also while towing in the mountains.
So our travel groups new rule:
If your vehicle sways for any reason thou shalt pull out the torque wrench and check all wheels all the way around ASAP.
Barry
__________________
Barry & Donna
Life is short - so is the door on a '51 Flying Cloud (ouch)
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06-30-2008, 10:07 AM
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#19
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Vintage Kin
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,014
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I check all tire pressures (cold, early morning), tighten lug nuts to spec with a dedicated torque wrench kept in a case along with other parking items (pads, chocks, etc), and make a visual inspection of TV and TT suspension BEFORE every trip.
The addition of a rear anti-roll bar to a TV suspension (live axle) is an excellent addition for safety. I would also re-mount the front bar with polyurethane bushings if the bars are meant to match for size. The addition of high quality shock absorbers is an excellent change as well.
The basics of the hitch rigging rightly starts with an inspection of the components themselves, and a used hitch is probably best disassembled, cleaned, painted and lubed (if called for) as the best beginning.
The same is true for the TT suspension and brakes. A long, careful inspection (disassembly/clean/paint/lube/) is in order where it is possible to do so. New fasteners of the exact manufacturer specification. Careful before and after measurements. Alignment, plus tire balance.
Same with TV. An alignment can be off a little, and towing aggravates the problem. Steering gear should be replaced sooner (when wear has begun, not waiting until it is full out of spec; preventative maintenance only SEEMS expensive), bushings on body/frame, springs, etc, all add up to aggravating poor control (even though each may be "okay") when ignored.
In other words, the TT and TV should be gone through separately, and the hitch rigging should be inspected. Then, only then, can the rig combination start to be accurately analyzed.
Owners manuals, with maintenance schedules, are set to provide good life and economical operation. But, for towing, IMO, the miles/hours should be reduced.
As to hitch rigging, there are some excellent threads on this site. If the owner will provide information:
TV weight, solo, with pax/equipment/full fuel
Tongue weight
TT weight, axles
as well as some basic measurements, a good idea of where the combination needs attention can be verified.
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06-30-2008, 11:22 AM
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#20
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Rivet Master
2022 25' International
Savage
, Minnesota
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 753
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I have not seen any mention of tires and tire inflation. I had the wrong trailer tires (they were truck tires) on my SOB. In addition to the wrong tires on the trailer, I had the wrong inflation on the tow vehicle. Check your TV owners manual, and make sure that you have the properly inflated tires for towing. Also make sure the Aistream Tires are inflated to their maximum allowable. make sure that they are trailer rates tires, such as Goodyear Marathons. You would be amazed that tires will also have an impact on sway. I also agree with getting pictures of your set-up, but do check those tires and inflation levels.
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