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Old 03-27-2008, 09:23 AM   #1
goffracing
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my 2500 moves alot while towing my toyhauler help

I have a 2003 2500 4x4 auto. I have had a dually until now and when i pull my toyhauler the thing moves around alot and about scared the crap out of me. this is most noticable when someone passes me. the rear of the truck moves around a good bit.

the question is do i need helper springs or bags since the truck doesnt have them stock like my dually. or should i just get one of those sway bar's that go on the hitch. and yes its a bumper pull and its a touch over 30 feet. and loaded is about 10,000 lb.



thanks.
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Old 03-27-2008, 09:27 AM   #2
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Do you have the trailer loaded properly? What is the percentage for your tongue weight? Go get accurate scale measurements for the trailer.
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Old 03-27-2008, 09:33 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by goffracing View Post
I have a 2003 2500 4x4 auto. I have had a dually until now and when i pull my toyhauler the thing moves around alot and about scared the crap out of me. this is most noticable when someone passes me. the rear of the truck moves around a good bit.

the question is do i need helper springs or bags since the truck doesnt have them stock like my dually. or should i just get one of those sway bar's that go on the hitch. and yes its a bumper pull and its a touch over 30 feet. and loaded is about 10,000 lb.



thanks.
I haul a a TH about the same size as well.

When towing I have the rear truck tires at 70psi + if they are "E" rated stock tires or max on the "D's" which I have now (65 psi).

On the trailer side - the trailer should be loaded 60% of the weight in front of the axles, load distribution bars and an anti-sway device has served me well.

I have recently added Timbren springs which has given a little more support with the trailer hitched. The tongue weight is enough to put the Timbrens on the axle. Any side to side movement or body roll is greatly reduced because of this.
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Old 03-27-2008, 09:48 AM   #4
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it does it with the trailer empty or loaded and i only haul two dirtbikes in the trailer and load them over the axles.

supersprings over load spring is what i was going to have put on today if that would help. it almost feels like body roll its a side to side movement.
it doesnt move if im alone on the rode and no wind. just when people especially trucks pass me it moves a bunch
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Old 03-27-2008, 09:50 AM   #5
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also yes E rated stock size pirelli's at 70 psi in the rear.
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Old 03-27-2008, 10:20 AM   #6
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Do NOT get a sway bar that goes on the hitch. For a trailer as big as yours they won't do a darn thing. Even two of them (one on each side) won't do much.

You need something like a Reese Dual Cam or Equalizer sway control.

You need to verify the correct tongue weight.

I don't see anything about a weight distibution set up either....ya' got one?
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Old 03-27-2008, 10:26 AM   #7
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For that setup the first things I'd put on is a good hitch like the Reese, and air bags, and run the rear tires up to 80...

Try that first, anyway. Towing something that size with SRW truck is still going to be different than towing it with a dually was...
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Old 03-27-2008, 10:37 AM   #8
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i do have a class 4 reese hitch with solid reciever so im well under my hitch limit. i dont have weight dist hitch. i was just going to add the springs. do i need the weight dist hitch ? that just sounds crazy i mean its a 3/4 tn truck or am i just spoiled from having a dually all this time.

not sure on exact tonge weight but it probably atleast 1200 maybe 1300 the truck sags about 8 inches when i put the trailer on the ball.
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Old 03-27-2008, 10:47 AM   #9
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Equalizer hitch, stabilizer bars or airbags all will help but I think you need to look at the nature of the beast you are towing. Any tag trailer that big is going to be effected by wind (passing vehicles) greatly. If it was a 5th wheel you would hardly notice passing vehicles but on a tag trailer you have that hinge point behind the axle and they are going to sway, dually or not. I wouldn't waste a bunch of money trying to fix the problem unless you are adding something to the rear of you truck to make it level when the trailer is hooked up. Eric
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Old 03-27-2008, 10:56 AM   #10
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Originally Posted by goffracing View Post
i do have a class 4 reese hitch with solid reciever so im well under my hitch limit. i dont have weight dist hitch. i was just going to add the springs. do i need the weight dist hitch ? that just sounds crazy i mean its a 3/4 tn truck or am i just spoiled from having a dually all this time.

not sure on exact tonge weight but it probably atleast 1200 maybe 1300 the truck sags about 8 inches when i put the trailer on the ball.
You should have a weight distribution set-up, even with a dually. That is the number one fix for your problem. An anti-sway device does work. I have one and use it when loaded in conjunction with the load bars. I can pass or get passed by semi's with no sway issues.

My load consists of: 30' TAG toyhauler with four seat buggy, Honda 400ex, a Tri-Zinger, 100 gallons water, 25 gallons gas, firewood, and all of the rest of my camping stuff.
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Old 03-27-2008, 11:16 AM   #11
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I agree, get a weight dist hitch set up and a sway device first. These are gotta haves. Our trailer is smaller only 21' and I thought that I didn't need them----- boy was I wrong, it corrected all of the sway and pull from others passing.
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Old 03-27-2008, 11:16 AM   #12
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Originally Posted by goffracing View Post
i do have a class 4 reese hitch with solid reciever so im well under my hitch limit. i dont have weight dist hitch. i was just going to add the springs. do i need the weight dist hitch ? that just sounds crazy i mean its a 3/4 tn truck or am i just spoiled from having a dually all this time.

not sure on exact tonge weight but it probably atleast 1200 maybe 1300 the truck sags about 8 inches when i put the trailer on the ball.
If your truck drops 8" when you hitch the trailer,you have WAY more than 1200-1300lbs of tongue weight. I can drop almost 2000 on my truck and it only drops about 2-2 1/2" . I do have a 3500SRW,but the only difference in the rear suspension between mine and yours is my overloads. With 2000lbs the O/Ls are still 1" plus from coming into play,so my O/Ls aren't supporting any of the weight.

Either its way more tongue weight than you think,or the springs are shot.
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Old 03-27-2008, 11:23 AM   #13
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Or it really isn't 8 inches. Get a tape measure.
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Old 03-27-2008, 01:23 PM   #14
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well i guess it wasnt 8 inches it more like 5 inches.

the truck and trailer are now at the trailer shop getting the hitch and sway control installed so i will report back

thanks for the advice
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Old 03-27-2008, 02:44 PM   #15
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Same Set-up

I run the same setup as you- 30ft 10,000 lb bumber pull, have a 2500 with a weight dist hitch/sway device and it tows really nice.
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