Troubleshooting Trailer Sway with a 2013 Ford F-150 Towing Camper with Weight Distribution

Question

Question:

I have 2013 f-150 Eco boost twin turbo 3.73 rear end tow max package with a towing capacity of 11,200 and just purchased a Heritage Glenn 31foot travel trailer thats 7950 dry weight. I had an e-2 hitch and my truck was all over the road so I bought the e-4 hitch rated10,000 pound and still had issues so just added air suspension in the rear! Just got the camper out for the first time this year with the new add on and the truck was once again all over the road!! not the camper the truck I was told with all that I have done that I should not notice the camper back there. I even turned the anti-sway control off in on the trucks computer after being told that the computer system was likely working against the hitchs weight distribution. I have 6 six washers behind the head. Is that to many or not enough? I am running out of potential fixes. Do you have any advice?

asked by: Jason P

0

Expert Reply:

First piece of advice I could offer you is to make sure your weight distribution system is rated for the loaded tongue weight of your setup. Keep in mind that figure also includes the weight of any cargo in the bed of the truck behind the rear axle. The next area that you will need to check is that you have the system set up properly. Typically you want enough spring bar tension so that the truck will basically be sitting as level as possible. You will need to follow the set up procedure in the install instructions of the kit you have.

Sway can be caused by not having enough weight in the front of the trailer as well. If there is a considerable amount of weight in the rear of your trailer this could be your problem. Judging by the picture you submitted it looks like your trailer is sitting level (which is good).

Typically a properly rated and set up WD system will not require the use of an air spring kit. I would recommend setting everything up with the minimum air pressure in the bags.

expert reply by: Jameson C

0

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Answer 1

Tilting the ball, or the head, of a weight distribution system that allows it, such as #RP66074, has a couple of uses. It allows you to put the proper tension on the spring bars, crucial for proper system set up, and it can be used to help level…

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Answer 2

You can reuse the shank of your weight distribution system but the rest of the components are going to have to be replaced. The strait lines system requires Reese spring bars that are bent at the ends for the cams to ride in and they will not fit in…

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Answer 3

The manual lockout on your Atwood 85778 surge brake coupler is there so that you can back up the trailer without the brakes locking up on you. Yes you can safely tow your trailer with the broken manual lockout, you just have to make sure you…

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Answer 4

If your current springs have 5 leaves then going to a 7 leaf spring will increase the height of the trailer a little and make the trailer more susceptible to sway. Regarding capacity if you go with springs rated higher than what is required it will…

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Answer 5

Seal 171255UC has an inner diameter of 1.719 inches and outer diameter of 2.565 inches. A seal that has those dimensions would actually be #58846. I've added a link to a video review of this seal for you to take a look at.

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Answer 6

Since you have a wheelbase/axle spacing of 38 inches the correct hanger kit for slipper springs would be the part #HAP-105-205-01. And then for a 7k trailer axle the u-bolt kit you'd want would be the part #APUBR-8. I attached the diagram to use…

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Answer 7

I did some checking and the hub/drum we offer that will work for you is the part #8-430-5UC3. This uses the same bearings as the 8-415 and will be an exact fit aside from the fact this is a non-ABS setup and the 8-415 came in an ABS setup and non-ABS…

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Answer 8

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

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Answer 9

The 40 amp fuse for your 2006 Chevrolet Silverado tow package is used for the 12 volt battery charge circuit. This fuse is located toward the front of the underhood fuse box closest to the front auxiliary positive post (see photo). There may be a…

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Answer 10

On a 2005 Chevy Silverado 1500, If you are facing the front of the truck looking at the power distribution box, there will be a post at the back left side and a fuse slot near it. It is that fuse slot that you will install a 30 amp fuse. I have…

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Answer 11

The correct replacement for a Demco Master Cylinder 05680-C is the Replacement Master Cylinder part #5650. I spoke with Demco to confirm this for you.

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Answer 12

My contact at Yates Rubber advises that a nominal 8-inch keel roller does not measure exactly 8 inches; typically they are slightly smaller than the specified size, much the way a piece of 2 x 4 lumber is not exactly 2-inches by 4-inches. I took…

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Troubleshooting Trailer Sway with a 2013 Ford F-150 Towing Camper with Weight Distribution

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