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Thread: Limiting wind sway?
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11-11-2020, 09:11 AM #41
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You can add all the weight you want to the front and it won't stop the sway from semis or stronger winds. The fact that your TT axles are too far forward will always create a horizontal teeter totter effect. TT's are a big box and they move easily with side winds. Not having the leverage point of axles being further to the rear reduces the TT's stability. Couple that with a truck that has had it's weight reduced by switching to aluminum and you have a dbl whammy.
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11-11-2020, 12:15 PM #42
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It is unfortunate that we are using the word "sway" in these discussions to describe two different aspects of towing dynamics. There is an oscillation of the back end that, in the worst cases, continues to amplify, until the combination literally throws itself off the road. Higher speeds exacerbate it. It can initiate on its own, or be a reaction to even small side forces - truck suck, wind, bumps in the road, a slight turn of the tow vehicle, etc. Most hitches use some kind of friction to discourage/prevent that waggle. But, with enough energy (speed) that can be overcome, and sway initiated. Then it is a matter of slowing down, until the point where the available friction dampens it down. I'll call that "sway" here. Many physics studies showing that it only due to too little tongue weight.
The second is as described by goducks14, and is the natural reaction to sideways forces. The distinction is that it happens essentially once, and is not self perpetuating (until the next gust, truck, etc.). I'll call it "truck suck" here (but it includes wind effects too).
The first, at a low level, can be very hard to distinguish from the second. The rig could be just on the edge of overcoming the sway control (friction), and with higher instability, the more frequent and stronger the side-to-side movements can be felt. Since it can quickly develop into a life threatening situation, that is the first order of business to go after. The OP's evaluations show that he is at the low end of the rough rules-of-thumb, so making changes there first are indicated. Change the balance of that teeter-totter, if you will. It is a high probability that that will make things more stable, and the side forces felt less frequently and to a lesser degree. Hopefully to a point where it is acceptable.
After repeated testing, it might bear out that he doesn't notice much change. And it may be that his trailer was not on the verge of breaking into "sway". But at least he has eliminated one big possibility. Tires, air pressure, trailer attitude, better weight distribution can and do help reduce the "truck suck" issues. (and don't have to wait on the TW solution, either). As can going to a radically different/expensive hitch. Not saying the "you need a bigger truck" argument is wrong. But there are a lot of other things to get right, long before that becomes the only solution. It's not just the weight of the bigger truck - their tires are different, their suspensions, their frames, distribution of weight, etc., etc., etc.
Both with the OP's setup, and mine (different truck, different trailer) it is a puzzle why there seem to be so many of the same combinations on the road without these issues, and we got "lucky" with ours.....so sharing what I learned, in an attempt to get him over his issues...2017 Imagine 2670MK
2012 F-150 SCrew, Eco, 4x4 6.5 box
Max. Tow, HD Payload, Airbags, ProPride hitch
(Previous: Jayco 26.5RLS Fifth, Revolution Pinbox)
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11-11-2020, 01:00 PM #43
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Agree with sande005 that sway may be to harsh of a term. Wandering would better fit the situation. I've had two TT's that wandered all the time. On the interstate where there can be deeper ruts I find that those TT's tended to wander more since the axle width is 8' and the ruts are less than that in the center. Out on the hwy where there are less ruts the TT's tracked fine.
Both TT's wandered but never got close to an almost out of control situation.
5th wheels with 8' wide axles are still in the ruts or wind situations but because of the pin location over the trucks axle it doesn't have as much leverage force on the truck like a ball hitch thats 4' behind the axle.
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11-11-2020, 03:11 PM #44
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True. Just as a sidebar, with the same truck, and my old 5th, there were times I felt the wind and/or trucks going by. One trip through Chicago was a bit of a wheel gripper. Now with the TT, and the ProPride, I'm back to that same level of stability. The sad side: with the same weight 5th, I got 11 mpg over 11,000 miles. Now with the TT, I get 8. Aerodynamics can be cruel.
(FYI - the 5th tried to delaminate due to a branch tearing the roof. All then current replacements had gained weight, putting me over payload, so I had to "downsize"....)2017 Imagine 2670MK
2012 F-150 SCrew, Eco, 4x4 6.5 box
Max. Tow, HD Payload, Airbags, ProPride hitch
(Previous: Jayco 26.5RLS Fifth, Revolution Pinbox)
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11-11-2020, 03:27 PM #45
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Here is a video showing what Sande005 is explaining:
https://youtu.be/6mW_gzdh6to
As Sande005 knows, the ProPride hitch takes away the pivot point at the hitch ball, so it's more like a fifth wheel when it's windy or being passed by a semi.
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11-13-2020, 02:38 PM #46
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ProPride 3P
On my last SouthWest travel (approx. 5K miles) I towed our Reflection 297RSTS (29') with a 2018 Ford F150 Lariat with 3.5 EB. I purchased the ProPride 3P 1500 for approx. $3K. Truck towed trailer just fine over mountains and on flats of NM/TX with heavy crosswinds without any issues and no sway. Although the lightness of the 1/2 ton truck caused it to be pushed around quite a bit by the heavier trailer. in crosswind situations. After returning home (Iowa) I decided to upgrade my tow vehicle to the F250 6.7 Diesel and couldn't be happier. I've taken the trailer out a couple of times camping around Iowa and I barely notice the trailer behind. I also don't get pushed around by trucks or crosswinds like I did with the F150. The F150 was a great tow vehicle, but I just wanted a little more stress free driving while towing. I also upgraded to the Platinum, so now I have massaging seats for those long drives. So unnecessary, but So nice to have.
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03-29-2021, 03:39 PM #47
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Wanted to take a minute to re-visit this thread and provide some closure.
De-winterized and moved my 2400BH around some. Did a considerable amount of research on my hitch, upgrading vehicles, changing hitches, etc.
Thanks to the insight in this group, here’s what I did: raised the L brackets on my Equalizer hitch one hole. Seems to put more weight onto the front steering. Also added 1/3 tank of water in my fresh tank to provide a ballast.
Took it out on Sunday before the changes in 17 mph winds and was all over the place. Took it back out after the changes in the same wind... was able to one hand drive and felt comfortable. Knock on wood this helps! Thanks everyone for your insight and help.
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03-29-2021, 05:01 PM #48
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Steph & Lise
2019 F150 Lariat 2.7 EB
2020 Imagine XLS 22MLE
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03-29-2021, 10:14 PM #49
Limiting wind sway?
2019 GMC 3500 SRW Sierra Denali Duramax
2020 Reflection 315RLTS
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03-30-2021, 01:13 PM #50
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Wow, a happy ending to a long tale! And all it cost in the end was some weight tickets, and a few gallons of water!
Congrats!2017 Imagine 2670MK
2012 F-150 SCrew, Eco, 4x4 6.5 box
Max. Tow, HD Payload, Airbags, ProPride hitch
(Previous: Jayco 26.5RLS Fifth, Revolution Pinbox)
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