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06-04-2015, 01:31 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Newmarket, ON Canada
Posts: 74
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Wiggle not Sway w F150 in crosswind
I am running a 2013 F150 3.5EB with Equalizer Hitch towing a 22FB.
I have towed quite a few trailers with different vehicles so I know what sway is. (My 1992 Ford Explorer taught me that).
When I tow my 22FB with the F150, the setup is nice and level - dealer set up properly and it tows really well under most circumstances up to 65 mph or more with no issues.
I have noticed under certain circumstances that there is what is best described as a 'wiggle' - not visible but it feels like the trailer is moving on the vertical slightly - ie: the top of the trailer moving slightly side to side but not the bottom and not side to side sway.
It happens on the highway and seems to be when there is a cross-wind.
It performs fine when passing semis or being passed - no sucking or blowing to speak of, but when driving at highway speed in a cross-wind I feel it.
As I said, I can't even see any movement in my mirrors, but it is definitely there and if I change direction - ie: from an East-West highway to North, it can go away which is why I'm pretty sure it is the cross wind.
Anyone else experience this? Any improvements that can be made except slowing down or putting up with it? It can feel weird, but does not seem unsafe at all.
Would having more weight in the trailer help?
__________________
Doug
Newmarket,ON Canada
-2013 F150 4x2 SuperCab 3.5EB
-2011 Jay Flight 22FB (SOLD)
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06-04-2015, 01:54 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: FL
Posts: 11,281
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Doug,
I have felt something similar to what you describe a couple of times, but both those times I was encountering SERIOUS cross winds: In short, I should not have been on the road!
I have never felt the top of the trailer being 'wiggled' except for those times.
You and I have significantly different trucks. It may be with my l-o-n-g, heavy, 4WD truck, lesser 'wiggles' are not as easily felt.
Not much help, but that's all I got.
__________________
Sherm & Terry w/rescue Eydie (min Schnauzer) & Charley (std Poodle)
SOLD:2015 Jay Flight 27RLS, GY Endurance (E), Days: 102 '15, 90 '16, 80 '17, 161 '18, 365+ '20
SOLD: 2006 Ford F350 PSD, 4WD, CC, LB, SRW, Camper pkg., 375,000mi
Full timing: Some will think you're crazy, some will be envious, just enjoy the freedom!
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06-04-2015, 01:58 PM
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#3
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Newmarket, ON Canada
Posts: 74
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I appreciate the response. It only happened one day really on my last trip and we went all the way from Toronto to Maine and back, so it's not all the time. It just seemed more noticeable on an open highway - ie: no wind breaks and gusty winds.
I could not really tell how high the winds were - they didn't seem excessive.
__________________
Doug
Newmarket,ON Canada
-2013 F150 4x2 SuperCab 3.5EB
-2011 Jay Flight 22FB (SOLD)
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06-04-2015, 02:00 PM
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#4
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Newmarket, ON Canada
Posts: 74
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The reason I was asking about the weight in the trailer is that on the way down I had a pretty full fresh water tank and on the way back it was a lot less. I was conjecturing that if the trailer was lighter it might tend to have more movement in the suspension?
__________________
Doug
Newmarket,ON Canada
-2013 F150 4x2 SuperCab 3.5EB
-2011 Jay Flight 22FB (SOLD)
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06-04-2015, 02:03 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 9,770
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I wonder if you have a higher center of gravity? A little more tongue weight might help. Are you good about checking your tire pressures? I have driven with low tire pressure only once and I had a lot of issues, fairly white knuckle driving, into high head wind.
About a year ago I changed tires on my TV, afterwards I did not like the performance, the tow did not feel as good, I would not call what I had as a sway, but something, maybe a wiggle. I bumped up the rear tire pressure in the TV by 5 psi and the performance was greatly improved. This year I increased the tire pressures all around by another 2 psi, and performance has been greatly improved. I am still well under the max tire pressure for the tires I put on the vehicle, just higher than the OEM tires.
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06-09-2015, 09:33 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Walpole, NH
Posts: 367
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Check your tire pressure and make sure wheel bearings are tight on you trailer. Low pressure or loose bearings will allow for more movement side to side by the trailer.
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06-09-2015, 10:48 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Abingdon
Posts: 6,177
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Side to side? Never. Something's wrong.
__________________
2013 Jayco Eagle 328 RLTS
2021 Keystone Montana 3121RL
2013 F350 6.7L 4x4 CCLB
W/Air Lift air bags (front & rear)
Equal-I-Zer™ WDH & B&W Companion
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06-09-2015, 11:09 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Campbell Hall
Posts: 2,835
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Upuaut
The reason I was asking about the weight in the trailer is that on the way down I had a pretty full fresh water tank and on the way back it was a lot less. I was conjecturing that if the trailer was lighter it might tend to have more movement in the suspension?
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Water in the tank will have a HUGE influence on the feel of the rig!
Any turn, in-lane-correction or hill will cause several hundred pounds of water to slosh!
And yes, it can be felt at the driver's seat.
Memorial Day was the last time I will tow with a full tank of fresh water. We finally found a source close to our campsite. The performance of the rig with and without 40+ gallons of water was remarkable!
You are sensitive to your rig. Keep it up.
__________________
TT 2015 19RD "TheJayco"
TV 2003 F-350 "Montblanc" - Housebroken chore truck
Sitting in The Cheap Seats.
And proud of it!
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06-09-2015, 01:02 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: FL
Posts: 11,281
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mike837go
snip...
You are sensitive to your rig. Keep it up.
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X2
__________________
Sherm & Terry w/rescue Eydie (min Schnauzer) & Charley (std Poodle)
SOLD:2015 Jay Flight 27RLS, GY Endurance (E), Days: 102 '15, 90 '16, 80 '17, 161 '18, 365+ '20
SOLD: 2006 Ford F350 PSD, 4WD, CC, LB, SRW, Camper pkg., 375,000mi
Full timing: Some will think you're crazy, some will be envious, just enjoy the freedom!
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06-12-2015, 08:07 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Calgary
Posts: 885
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TWP723
Side to side? Never. Something's wrong.
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Mine wiggles more at night when we are setup and not even hooked up to the TV
Sorry I had to.
Could it be the road surface? I have noticed wiggles or vibrations from the road surface.
__________________
2014 Jayco Swift 281BHS, 300W Solar!
2015 F250 XLT 4x4 Crew Cab, Short box, 6.2 gas
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06-12-2015, 08:12 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Abingdon
Posts: 6,177
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Subaru297
Mine wiggles more at night when we are setup and not even hooked up to the TV
Sorry I had to.
Could it be the road surface? I have noticed wiggles or vibrations from the road surface.
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Doh!
__________________
2013 Jayco Eagle 328 RLTS
2021 Keystone Montana 3121RL
2013 F350 6.7L 4x4 CCLB
W/Air Lift air bags (front & rear)
Equal-I-Zer™ WDH & B&W Companion
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08-27-2015, 12:23 PM
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#12
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Newmarket, ON Canada
Posts: 74
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Just got back from an 5000 mile trip to Newfoundland.
The 'wiggle' showed up a couple of times - at highway speeds and in conditions that were windy.
Overall not really an issue - I think it might just be a slight sway that is stopped by the anti-sway system from getting worse.
I made a point of looking closely when it happened and there looks like a very very slight sway when I feel it. Not even enough that I would call it sway - more like a slight weight transfer from side to side.
I am pretty used to driving the combination now after 5000 miles under all conditions, so conclude that it's not really a problem - just the way the rig behaves.
The F150 Ecoboost is an absolute beast - pulls up steep hills easily maintaining speed with less than 1/2 gas pedal - really amazing.
Gas mileage sucked - 9.8 mpg but that's expected hauling a trailer and going 65-70 mph most of the time and hitting a lot of steep hills.
Trailer is great - only a few minor issues - rain dripping in - A/C bolts had never been tightened since new - one was almost an inch out, and the others were all loose.
My fresh water hose sprung a leak and it was spraying straight up to the bottom of the trailer, so at first I thought I had a burst pipe IN the trailer that was leaking down. Weird illusion.
Black tank valve ended up leaking - some crap (maybe literally) must have been blocking the valve a bit. When I got home I drained it, filled it, flushed it, back flushed it and it's ok now. That's never fun opening the cap and finding sludge.
Overall though a fantastic trip and I love the Truck and Trailer!
Thanks for all the advice!
__________________
Doug
Newmarket,ON Canada
-2013 F150 4x2 SuperCab 3.5EB
-2011 Jay Flight 22FB (SOLD)
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08-27-2015, 08:30 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Mid-Mi
Posts: 1,492
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What tires are on your truck, P-rated or LT's? Could it be a combination of the right conditions and the tire sidewalls flexing if P-rated? If LT's, not sure! Lol
Glad to hear you had a great trip!!!!
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08-31-2015, 09:30 AM
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#14
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Newmarket, ON Canada
Posts: 74
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I can't imagine Ford putting 'P' tires on a new F150. I'm pretty sure they are LT.
__________________
Doug
Newmarket,ON Canada
-2013 F150 4x2 SuperCab 3.5EB
-2011 Jay Flight 22FB (SOLD)
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08-31-2015, 11:03 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Abingdon
Posts: 6,177
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Unfortunately, they did put P tires on the F150. But not all of them. It depended on the package.
__________________
2013 Jayco Eagle 328 RLTS
2021 Keystone Montana 3121RL
2013 F350 6.7L 4x4 CCLB
W/Air Lift air bags (front & rear)
Equal-I-Zer™ WDH & B&W Companion
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08-31-2015, 12:03 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Ames
Posts: 297
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Upuaut
I can't imagine Ford putting 'P' tires on a new F150. I'm pretty sure they are LT.
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Oh they most certainly do. My 2013 F150 has the 3:73 gears and the Maxtow package, yet it STILL had P-Rated tires. I don't agree with the fact that they did it, but they most certainly did.
__________________
2016 Jayflight 29BHDS
2015 Ram 2500 Laramie Crew Cab - 6.4 Hemi
2013 Ford F150 Supercrew EcoBoost, MaxTow (Loved and Sold)
ProPride 3P
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08-31-2015, 12:06 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Abingdon
Posts: 6,177
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jsallman1
Oh they most certainly do. My 2013 F150 has the 3:73 gears and the Maxtow package, yet it STILL had P-Rated tires. I don't agree with the fact that they did it, but they most certainly did.
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You'd think, with the Max Tow pkg, they'd put LT tires on it! Crazy.
__________________
2013 Jayco Eagle 328 RLTS
2021 Keystone Montana 3121RL
2013 F350 6.7L 4x4 CCLB
W/Air Lift air bags (front & rear)
Equal-I-Zer™ WDH & B&W Companion
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08-31-2015, 12:06 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Ames
Posts: 297
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TWP723
Unfortunately, they did put P tires on the F150. But not all of them. It depended on the package.
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I think in 2013 you had to get the HD Payload package to get the LT Tires generally, which also came with the 7 lugs on the wheels.
__________________
2016 Jayflight 29BHDS
2015 Ram 2500 Laramie Crew Cab - 6.4 Hemi
2013 Ford F150 Supercrew EcoBoost, MaxTow (Loved and Sold)
ProPride 3P
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08-31-2015, 12:40 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Abingdon
Posts: 6,177
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jsallman1
I think in 2013 you had to get the HD Payload package to get the LT Tires generally, which also came with the 7 lugs on the wheels.
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Sounds about right. My 2005 F150 came with 18" LT's from the factory.
__________________
2013 Jayco Eagle 328 RLTS
2021 Keystone Montana 3121RL
2013 F350 6.7L 4x4 CCLB
W/Air Lift air bags (front & rear)
Equal-I-Zer™ WDH & B&W Companion
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09-06-2015, 08:37 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 1,588
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My Max Tow came with P rated tires from the factory. Those got swapped out immediately for a set of load range E LT's. You can get LT tires in load range C, D, and E so just because it says LT doesn't mean it's all the same stiffness.
My Dad's Max Tow EcoBoost came with LTs but they are Load Range C. My best friend's Max Tow with a 2000lb payload and 11,300lb tow rating came with P rated Goodyears if you can believe that.
Some may say E's are overkill for a half ton, but I disagree. I like having extra tire and more stability. I air mine up to 55 in the rear and 50 in the front when I tow and it's solid. I run about 45-48psi unloaded.
__________________
2013 F-150 EcoBoost MaxTow, Roush tuned (415hp 506tq), lifted on 33s, R.A.S.
2013 Jay Flight 28BHS Elite (Equalizer 10K hitch)
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