Towing Stability

[Larry McNeil]

I tow a 23 foot Air Stream with my 2017 Expedition, and wonder if there is anything I can about improving the overall stability of the combination. I use the Equil-I-zer brand load distribution hitch and am sure it’s properly setup. The trailer is twin axle, running slightly overdrive 16” Michelin tires. The truck is the shorter version Expi WITH the 9000 HD towing package. It is equipped with 275 55 20 Michelin’s. The truck is OEM. I can’t say that the ‘instability’ is actually sway, but it seems to me it could be improved. I’m looking for after market anti sway equipment OR tire change recommendations. I suppose less tall tires would be a help, and have heard of expedition anti sway after market stuff, but not really sure where to start. Any help out there? Ohh, the trailer is about 6000# and the hitch is giving me about 600# of young weight. Bothe the truck and the trailer are level.

 

[Yupster Dog]

I’m looking for after market anti sway equipment

Helwig sway bars for front and back.

 

[fidget247]

and wonder if there is anything I can about improving the overall stability of the combination.

All, I have the similar set-up to Larry, but I put on LT tires and pump them up to about 60 PSI (below the max) and that seemed to help. But regardless of the type of Travel Trailer I pull, I feel the truck is "darty", meaning it wants to dart from the front of the truck. I have had the load leveler professionally installed and via measurement, seems to be putting even pressure on both ends of the truck. And with the current TT I have, it is only 3500 lbs...so way below max. Still darty. Has anyone else had that problem and have you found a solution that makes highway driving less stressful?

 

[JasonH]

(1) Scale ticket. You need to know for certainty what your camper weight and axle loads are. Don't bother doing anything else before confirming those numbers.
(2) Load "E" tires and higher pressure. My 7K 33 ft' camper squirmed when towing. It wasn't sway, it just wiggled and felt mushy. Cooper AT3 and 65 psi in the tires fixed it. You might be able to go with "D" tires for a compromise. I just wanted maximum puncture resistance as well.

 

[Larry McNeil]

So, Helwig sway bars are great, but not likely to fix this issue? The stiffer sidewalls and higher pressure makes more sense to me. Other thoughts?

 

[Timo2824]

I pull a 4,000lbs enclosed trailer with my 2017 SWB, and I call the feeling feedback through the steering wheel. I never feel it's unstable, but you get more feedback from the trailer than in other vehicles I've pulled it with. I think it's a combination of a really stiff frame and 20 inch rims. Odly enough, I don't get the feeling pulling it with my 07 V8 Explorer; which is shorter, narrower, lighter, and has p rated tires on it. I'd like to put some 17 inch rims on my expedition and see if the feeling goes away.

 

[mr_dave]

LT tires properly inflated and Bilstein dampers.

 

[KJFord]

We have the same tires and HD tow package on our 2015 Expedition and tow a 24ft Winnebago dual axle running close to 7000# using a Fastway load leveling hitch. It tows great with no sway, with the only once having the Expedition kick in it's stability control whilst on a high bridge with very stiff cross-wind. We're based in Colorado so do a lot of high altitude towing, and have gone as far as Nova Scotia to the East and Oregon to the West. Have you checked the trailer tires carefully...wondering if they could be causing the problem?

 

[rollinstone]

I’ve been using the Andersen WDH/sway setup for 7 years towing a 3500 lb trailer. Solid tow…all the time in all conditions. 2014 HD tow package. Never had the TSC engage.

 

[chuck s]

These inflated to maximum sidewall cold pressure? This will take any radial wiggle out of the tires.

(I wasn't aware Michelin made ST tires but I guess they do.)

-- Chuck

 

[rollinstone]

These inflated to maximum sidewall cold pressure? This will take any radial wiggle out of the tires.

(I wasn't aware Michelin made ST tires but I guess they do.)

-- Chuck

Do they? I know they make RV tires...like for motorhomes. and I've seen their LT tires on trailers, but can't find anything about ST tires on their website. Bears further investigation.

 

[chuck s]

I thought Larry (the OP) was running Michelin tires on his travel trailer which should be using ST tires and prompted my question.

I do know that maximum sidewall pressure is recommended since no one is riding in the trailer and sidewall flex causes tire heating and contributes to that wiggly feeling. Same for inflating the truck's P-Metric rear tires to higher pressure. Doesn't increase their capacity but minimizes squirming. At least that's my experience.

-- Chuck

 

[rollinstone]

I know several folks who run Michelin LTs on their camping trailers. I’d love them to make an ST…I just can’t find them. However, I have Good Year Endurance STs on my trailer.

 

[timo482]

on my 08 im using a "straight line" with a friction sway control.. my camper is short and high.. it can get squerly at 70 plus but up to 65 its dead stable, even in cross wind.

 

[The old car guy]

Look into a Hensley hitch. Not cheap but rock solid to tow with 2010 Expy el and 8k trailer

 

[fjet]

I had a 2014 limited with the self level struts. I tow a 30 ft Coachman that’s roughly 7500lbs and a truck load of kids in and gear in the truck. Easily at max payload. I installed a Helwig rear sway bar which did give it more stability on corners and on heavily crowned county roads. But the most substantial improvement was Michelin LT tires with 75 psi when towing and 55 when not towing. I adopted this some setup in my 2017 EXPY Max limited as well however I did have to replace the 22” with 19’s from A F150 FX4 to get LT’s but they look fine. Also I had my load distribution hitch setup by the (Professionals) and it was way to much tongue weight for my struts to adjust to. So double check your tongue weight and adjust your hitch so both you and your trailer are as close to level as possible.

 

[Larry McNeil]

Hi again, guys. Ok I think I have the sway thing squared away. Went with LT tires and Helwig rear anti sway bar with new Helwig FRONT anti sway bushings. (That was their idea - even supplied the bushings)

NOW, I am contemplating a lengthy road trip - likely 7000 miles over the next 18 months. The Expi has 76000 on it. I HAVE done specified service at the dealer all along - flushes, etc included.

What I am after are community thoughts on other preventives or enhancements before I start out. My concerns are basically centered on an unease that I am driving basically a f-150 and towing a 6000 pound airstream for a long distance, and up and down mountains. It will be basically freeway, so no EXTREAM grades, but still …

As a reminder, the rig is a 2017 King Ranch 4 X 2 with the 9000 # HD towing package. I use the Equal-izer 9000 # hitch. Trailer tires have been upsized to 16” Michelin truck tires and I run them at 50 #.

It should be a reasonably relaxed trip - doing 300 - 500 miles a day with additional ‘stay overs’ as we feel inclined.

Thoughts? Equipment I might further invest in? Early replacements? I have put some thought into just doing the shocks as a proactive step, for example.

 

[rollinstone]

I think your tow vehicle will do the job just fine. Standard things like tire pressure gauge, roadside markers/vest, 12v pump, headlamp, up to date insurance I’m sure you’ve got. I carry extra odds and ends for my trailer, though. Spare set of bearings, toilet valve, fuses, access door latches, torque wrench, various tapes, tool box (no brained)…and other things folks will mention as their fave items.

 

[mr_dave]

Assuming all the other fluids are good, fresh brake fluid change would be my first thought. Brake fluid collects moisture over time which greatly reduces its boiling point - meaning if you're braking a lot with a load you could lose your brakes if the fluid boils.

 

[Larry McNeil]

It WILL be over 5000 on the current brake flush when we leave. Good input! I appreciate it!