I have a 97 2500 diesel and it seems to sway too much on the hwy while towing my trailer.

I have a weight distrubuting hitch and two anti-sway bars and it's still unnurving when semi's pass me on the hwy. I was almost in the ditch several times.

Is there anything I can do to my truck to limit the swaying.

Thanks,
RH

 

What kind of trailer is it? It sounds like its not loaded right or something ??

 

Make sure your load (total weight) is at least 60% in front of the axles.

When connecting your distribution bars, connect the trailer to your truck, and crank the trailer up until most or all of the weight is off of your truck's supension. Connect the chains from your bars on the lowest link you can reach. Then lower the trailer.
Give you anti-sway bars an extra half crank once you think they are tight.

In extreme cases, I have heard of trailers that have had to have the axles moved back 6 inches because sway was not controlable.

I'm probably telling your stuff you already know.

 

Not detracting from what was put above, get stiffer tires and run max pressure. The rear tires maka big difference in sway, the more air pressure the tighter it is and the stiffer the sidewall the tighter it is. For expample, 14 ply rated tires with 100+ pounds will give you just about the control of dual wheels.

 

or get a hensley arrow. it sounds expensive at first but after you've made one emergency, and i do mean EMERGENCY!!! lane change pulling a 30 footer at about 10,000# and it was as if you were only on a Sunday cruise, i think you'll agree that the cost is not an issue.

just an owner,got no connections to them in any way, but the hitches are worth the money in my humble opion.

 

My trailer is a 24' enclosed race trailer with a max weight of 9,990lbs. I had it maxed out and the tongue weight was 1,000lbs. All was within specs. My tire pressure was maxed at 80psi in the rear.

The trailer is a 2004 from vintage race trailer.


I will look up more on the hensley arrow; right now I don't know what it is.

Thanks
Ron

 

My trailer is a 24' enclosed race trailer with a max weight of 9,990lbs. I had it maxed out and the tongue weight was 1,000lbs. All was within specs. My tire pressure was maxed at 80psi in the rear.

The trailer is a 2004 from vintage race trailer.


I will look up more on the hensley arrow; right now I don't know what it is.

Thanks
Ron

 

I think it's someone name of Hensley that makes arrows for bow hunters. Only thing I can think of! Other than what has been mentioned, I can not think of any good reason for your sway.

Good Luck.

 

Someone said get a Hensely, that is about $2800 I say get a Equil-i-zer for about $500 and that should takecare of your tail wagging the dog.

 

Crawl under and check the bolts attaching the receiver to the truck. I had an experience like yours once, and after white knuckling it from Phoenix to Ventura, I found an RV dealer who thought to check. They found 3 of 4 were less than finger tight.

Also, you might want to see if you can concentrate any weight nearer the axle, to reduce the momentum when a sway starts.

Last, make sure you check the alignment - I've seen the situation improve when that's an issue.

Is this a new development, or have you had it from when you started towing this trailer? Perhaps there's an issue with the running gear on the trailer?

Hope this helps - let us know if you find something that works; you shouldn't be having that much of a problem.

Mike

 

With something of that size, you better off getting an equalizer hitch or a reese dual cam sawy control set up. The benefit is the resses attempts to stop sway before it starts, the "brake" typ controls slow it down after's it's started.

Nick

 

Haulin_in_Dixie has got it right. I got rid of my 2500 because of too much tire sidewall flex. Now with the dually there is no flex and yesterdays trip with the TT was sit back and relax type driving. I didn't want to go to 14 ply tires so traded for a dually and it was really worth it.

Cheers
Gordon

 

The Arrow is more expensive than my open car trailer that I'm selling. Think I'll try something different.

I like the 14 ply tire idea along with the reese sway system but let me ask you guys this: what about a duelly conversion?

I read a thread this week on someone wanting to try this.

Cheers,
Ron

 

I am running arrowcraft adaptors, never had a bit of trouble with them. Have never lost a bearing on the 3/4 rear.

 

Also check your U-bolts if they are even slightly loose on your rear they will allow it to shift giving you a sway/ steering effect.

Dusty