I've got a 24' enclosed trailer (tag) that we use to pull our MX bikes/gear. It weighs something like 4900# without our stuff......maybe like 6500# to 7500# or so loaded.

Previously, I pulled it with a 1987 F350 4-door dually (2wd) and had no issue with sway using only the cheap friction type anti-sway device that the previous owner included with the trailer. Now, with the Dodge and the same anti-sway device, I start getting a significant sway at 65-70 mph.

My Ford has a Reese receiver hitch that is bolted to the frame rails and extends about 2.5 feet or so up the frame rails toward the axle. Looking at the OEM Dodge hitch, it just ties in to the very end of the frame and simply crosses from one side to the other (doesn't extend up the frame rails).

What I am wondering is this......

Does the hitch style have anything to do with the sway? Would a different style of receiver hitch (that was attached more like the one on my Ford) work better and likely reduce the sway?

I imagine I'm going to have to get a weight distributing/anti-sway hitch, but, if I could get by with a different receiver on the truck, I'd rather do that.........cheaper and less to hook up/unhook!!

 

Are the ball height equal between the two trucks?

 

Good point, forgot to mention that. The ball heights are pretty close to being equal.........basically the trailer is level behind both. Achieving that involves a fairly straight ball mount on the Ford and something like a 6" drop on the Dodge.

 

I doubt it's your hitch. Could be softer tires on the diffrent truck, but most likely, it's too light of a tounge weight. You must have at least 10% of your overall trailer wieght (trailer and contents) on the ball.

 

Yeah, the tongue weight is ok.

And, nothing has changed from the way the trailer is loaded from one truck to the other.

 

tire pressure plays quite a roll in sway control, but having a dually should realy help, check both the truck and the trailer for proper pressure, and maybe have the sway control device checked for effectiveness, maybe it has gone bad. Difference in wheel base?
I use a equalizer on my TT 7K pluse and have never had a problem.
nivram

 

When you say "sway" do you mean the side to side yaw that happens with light tongue weight?

 

Check the friction bar. I have to crank down pretty hard on mine to prevent sway with our high profile 22' car hauler.

MikeyB

 

I think you are looking in the right area. A tail heavy trailer is an accident waiting to happen. A sudden gust, an off camber road, a steering correction at the wrong moment and you have a disaster. Keep the speed down, load as much gear forward as you can. I experimented a lot with a large and very heavy tent trailer. With proper weight distribution my little volvo could handle it, without it my big 1970 mercury wagon with the factory trailer package could not.

The toy hauler concept is fine as long as the vehicles in the back don't weigh too much and start a pendelum sway. Something as simple as empty tanks and their position in the vehicle can make a difference.

 

I guess I'm not explaining myself very well.........

I can load my trailer............tow it with my Ford with no issues at any speed (well, 85mph is the fastest I've gone).............come home, unhook and hook up to the Dodge and start getting somewhat nervous at 65 mph, more nervous at 70mph and flirting with disaster at anything over 70 mph due to sway (yes, the type you get with a light tongue) even if I tighten the friction thing a couple MORE turns.

No change in tire pressure on trailer (80psi). Both trucks running same tire pressure (65psi). Trailer appears to be level (to the naked eye) behind both trucks.

There are differences between the two trucks..........4wd vs. 2wd, brand of tires, height of truck, short bed vs. long, and I'm sure the wheelbases aren't exactly the same (although I wouldn't think they would be THAT different).

Basically, I just don't really understand why when I tow the trailer with the Ford weight distribution hitches w/sway control aren't even on my mind, yet with the Dodge I'm looking for a place to pull over and buy one! There has to be a simple reason, I just can't figure out what it is???

Anyhow, thanks for the replies/suggestions.

 

My FIL put some Sears tires on his truck and although they were E rated, they had no sidewall strength. The truck would sway by itself, no trailer. He had to take them back. It could be weak tires. Any chance you have P rated on the Dodge?

 

Didn't you mention a difference in the location of the pin relative to the axle centre line? How about wheelbase? and Yes tire type does make an enormous difference.

 

The Dodge has whatever Generals come on it (I assume they are a LT E-rated tire???)............the Ford has 235/85/16 Dunlop Rover AT's (LT E-rated).

 

I'm going to park them side by side tomorrow and evaluate a little closer........

 

Have you ever loaded your trailer and had it weighed? I bet you'd be surprised with what you find.