Sway Control System for 2001 Ford Excursion Towing Forest River Wolfpack Toy Hauler

Question

Question:

I have a 2001 ford Excursion, i pull a 30foot wolf pack toy hauler. What ive done: 1. Complete front end rebuild,all new steering components, all new front suspention, added 3/4 ton springs,air bags, 3 front end alignments 3 different shops. Caster/camber/tow... 3/4 springs in rear, air bags in rear, new rear sway bar, attatched 4 link to rear axle, new front sway bar, 3 different sets of new tires...oem from ford, then good years, now firestones. New stearing box...ive adjusted the hitch 100 different ways...tightened the ani-sway bar as far as it will go...after all of this...absolutely nothing has changed...i still get sucked into the next lane when im passed by a larger vehical...so if you have a answer...im all ears. BTW. I pulled this with 2 other vehicals and one was another Excursion.

asked by: Chris

0

Expert Reply:

It sounds like you have done virtually everything under the sun to reduce your towing sway issue in your 2001 Ford Excursion that is towing your Forest River Wolfpack toy hauler.

I checked the Forest River website for the weight of the 30-foot trailer in this series. The bumper-pull toy hauler travel trailer model 24Pack14 has a GVWR of 9985-lbs. I suggest you check your specific trailer's GVWR.

I also checked the Ford online owner's manual for the 2001 Excursion for the towing capacity of the various engine and differential configurations. The most any version of this vehicle can tow is 10,000-lbs. That version is the 6.8L 4x2 or 4x4 with the 4.30 rear axle. The 5.4L engine models can tow 6200-lbs (4x2) or 7200-lbs (4x4). The issue you are having with sway is most likely related to towing the trailer with a vehicle that is either just barely rated high enough, or with one that is not rated anywhere near high enough for the trailer weight.

I found this information on page 142 of the online edition of the manual for the 2001 Excursion. I linked the chart from that page for your review. You will want to check your own printed manual in case it lists different capacities for your specific vehicle.

If your Excursion does have the required towing capacity for your specific trailer's loaded weight then the only other thing you might try is a weight distribution hitch system. These systems both shift trailer tongue weight forward onto the vehicle front axle (to restore steering and braking performance) and they also have a feature to prevent trailer sway. The linked article on weight distribution/sway control (WD/SC) may be of interest.

The key to picking out the right WD/SC system is knowing the fully-loaded trailer's actual tongue weight (TW). This means toys loaded, water and propane tanks full, and all supplies in place. You can measure the trailer TW with a scale # e99044. To this measured TW you need to add the weight of any cargo in the Excursion that sits behind the rear axle, such as a loaded cooler or generator. You need to add this to the measured TW since it will act just like trailer TW as far as the WD system is concerned. With that total figure in hand, you can pick out a WD system. The linked article and video will be helpful.

I linked our main page for WD/SC systems to allow you to view suitable product based on your total TW figure. Click on your total TW. A reasonable estimate of your trailer TW is 1200-lbs (12% of its gross weight). For this TW a system such as the Curt TruTrack # C17501 or the Equal-I-zer # EQ37140ET would be suitable.

Please feel free to confirm back your trailer's GVWR and your Excursion's towing capacity (via reply email) and I will be glad to work with you.

expert reply by: Adam R

0

click to enlarge

Answer 1

The highest tongue weight rated Husky Center Line system we offer is the part #HT32218 which has a tongue weight range of 800 lbs - 1,200 lbs. The best system to use in this tongue weight range is the Equal-i-zer part #EQ37140ET which is widely…

view full answer...

Answer 2

The following tools will be needed to install the Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System part #EQ37140ET: 1-1/8” Box-end wrench (Shank Bolts) 1-1/8” Socket wrench (Shank Bolts) 3/4” Box-end or socket wrench (Link Plates and L-brackets) 5/8” Socket or…

view full answer...

Answer 3

Absolutely, the most effective weight distribution system we carry in regards to sway control is the Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System. These are considered to be one of the best on the market. They have a 4-point sway control system whereas…

view full answer...

Answer 4

I agree with you that the Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System w/ 4-Point Sway Control - 16,000 lbs GTW, 1,600 lbs TW #EQ64FR is likely going to be the best way to go since it's going to give you a little bit more leeway with the tongue weight…

view full answer...

Answer 5

The Reese Steadi-Flex Weight Distribution System #RP66560 will work for your 2019 Cruiser RV Stryker travel trailer toy hauler as long as you do not exceed 12,000lbs maximum trailer weight of the hitch. My concern is the 600-1,200lb tongue weight…

view full answer...

Answer 6

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

view full answer...

Answer 7

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

view full answer...