Experiencing sway, newbie driver needs help!

[Screwby]

Originally Posted by AKRUEBBE

Usually the rear wheels on a dually just call for 65 lbs..........doubt that his is a dually though.

Mine is a DWR and it takes 80lbs in all 4 of my BFG load range E tires.

[Jagiven]

First thing is always ensure the trailer tires, whatever trailer your pulling the tires are inflated to the maximum pressure. I have had issues, with little cars pushing me around when I was 5-10psi low. Never again.

Pay attention next time to what type of truck causes issues. I have noticed the trucks with huge flat front ends push alot of air, and make me wiggle. So the big Kenworths, and greyhound busses, I feel the most.

If you are in a true sway condition, reach to your brake controller, and tap the manual brake engagement. This will slow the trailer, and stretch the combo out straight. Best not to hit the brake pedal.

[garyp4951]

Besides airing truck rears to 80psi, if that is whats on the tire, sounds like you need more pin weight, or maybe move you Anderson forward too.
If your truck is new, some tires take a while to break in, and feel squirmy when new.
Always tow FW level, or nose up a little, never nose down.

[Mopar_Earl]

Originally Posted by garyp4951

Besides airing truck rears to 80psi, if that is whats on the tire, sounds like you need more pin weight, or maybe move you Anderson forward too.
If your truck is new, some tires take a while to break in, and feel squirmy when new.
Always tow FW level, or nose up a little, never nose down.

I had new Firestone Transforce AT tires do that. Man, scary as all hell. Up till then I never had or heard of tire squirm. Was like driving on gummy worms. I thought they left my lugs all loose.


Earl

[Pammac36]

Originally Posted by Mopar_Earl

Truck tires call for 65?? Small truck? What is your tow truck?


Earl

Hi
On the door the sticker says 60 psi front tires 65 psi back tires.

The TPMS (truck only) shows the same. I checked them before I left (both ways) the back were at 63 and 64. Front were at 59.

Its a 2018, Ford F250 FX4, 6.2 SWD SB

[Pammac36]

It is a rear kitchen. Thanks for the input!

[Pammac36]

Originally Posted by garyp4951

Besides airing truck rears to 80psi, if that is whats on the tire, sounds like you need more pin weight, or maybe move you Anderson forward too.
If your truck is new, some tires take a while to break in, and feel squirmy when new.
Always tow FW level, or nose up a little, never nose down.

Hi,
The truck is just under a year old, but just turned 5000 miles. The FW looks very level. Just a bit nose high due to the height of the truck. I can turn the Andersen pin adapter around to move everything 4 inches toward the cab, there is room.
I will check the sidewall for the psi too. I've added a picture,front legs are down but there is no weight off the truck when the picture was taken

[Pammac36]

Originally Posted by Jagiven

First thing is always ensure the trailer tires, whatever trailer your pulling the tires are inflated to the maximum pressure. I have had issues, with little cars pushing me around when I was 5-10psi low. Never again.

Pay attention next time to what type of truck causes issues. I have noticed the trucks with huge flat front ends push alot of air, and make me wiggle. So the big Kenworths, and greyhound busses, I feel the most.

If you are in a true sway condition, reach to your brake controller, and tap the manual brake engagement. This will slow the trailer, and stretch the combo out straight. Best not to hit the brake pedal.

Hi,

Thank you this all great info. Much appreciated!

[Pammac36]

Originally Posted by Packerbacker_TX

We've got 17' F-250 6.2 SCREW LB 4x4 with Ranch Hand bumpers. About 22' long and 7500# with Andersen hitch. Haven't had any problems with sway, chuck,etc... and similar specs to post. Maybe newbie inexperience? Could be "perfect storm" situation? Highway speeds, wind, rigs, crosswinds, etc.

Hi,
Can you please let me know you have for pressure in your truck tires? Mine came with Goodyear Wranglers. The door sticker and truck TPMS show 60 psi front and 65 psi rear.
Do you increase the psi when pullingnyour FW?

[oldmanAZ]

Originally Posted by Pammac36

Hi,
Can you please let me know you have for pressure in your truck tires? Mine came with Goodyear Wranglers. The door sticker and truck TPMS show 60 psi front and 65 psi rear.
Do you increase the psi when pullingnyour FW?

The maximum inflation pressure is molded into the sidewall of your tires, both the tow vehicle and your trailer. That is the MAXIMUM pressure as determined by the TIRE manufacturer. The door sticker and the TPMS having nothing to do with the TIRE manufacturer.

Higher tire inflation pressure stiffens the tire sidewall. The stiffer sidewall reduces tire flexing which helps the tire run cooler and reduces sway tendency.

So... inflate your TV and TT tires to the maximum shown on the tire sidewall the next time you tow and see if that improves your sway issues.

[TCNashville]

Originally Posted by Pammac36

Hi,
Can you please let me know you have for pressure in your truck tires? Mine came with Goodyear Wranglers. The door sticker and truck TPMS show 60 psi front and 65 psi rear.
Do you increase the psi when pullingnyour FW?

I have the same truck with the same tires as you. The door sticker on mine says the same; 60 front and 65 rear. These are pressures listed by Ford to give the best overall ride. When I tow my 9000lb Eagle I raise the tire pressure to 80 psi in the rear and 70 psi in the front. The Wranglers on your truck are e-rated with a maximum tire pressure of 80 psi. Try airing the tires to the max rating, especially the rears and see if that helps.

[Pammac36]

Originally Posted by oldmanAZ

The maximum inflation pressure is molded into the sidewall of your tires, both the tow vehicle and your trailer. That is the MAXIMUM pressure as determined by the TIRE manufacturer. The door sticker and the TPMS having nothing to do with the TIRE manufacturer.

Higher tire inflation pressure stiffens the tire sidewall. The stiffer sidewall reduces tire flexing which helps the tire run cooler and reduces sway tendency.

So... inflate your TV and TT tires to the maximum shown on the tire sidewall the next time you tow and see if that improves your sway issues.

Thanks!

[Pammac36]

Originally Posted by TCNashville

I have the same truck with the same tires as you. The door sticker on mine says the same; 60 front and 65 rear. These are pressures listed by Ford to give the best overall ride. When I tow my 9000lb Eagle I raise the tire pressure to 80 psi in the rear and 70 psi in the front. The Wranglers on your truck are e-rated with a maximum tire pressure of 80 psi. Try airing the tires to the max rating, especially the rears and see if that helps.

Thank you! I will do this before our next trip!. Wish I had known this before the first trip would have made for a much better experience!

At least the camping was awsome!

[Subaru297]

You should take your rig to a scale and weigh it as well. Find out if you have enough pin weight. If your 5th wheel is 10,000lbs loaded then you probably need 2000 to 2500 lbs of pin weight.

With the rear kitchen you probably loaded the majority of your stuff behind the axles and may have reduced pin weight which should be between 15% (minimum) and 25% of the weight of your trailer. The closer to 25% pin weight the better.

Cheers

[Pammac36]

Thanks! Planning on a trip to the scales soon. None are close by so hasnt worked out to get there yet...

[Joenissan]

Make sure your main bolt in top of the Andersen is properly torqued to 60 ft lbs and the two lock nuts to 50 ft lbs. then check the torque on the 4 kingpin bolts. I bet somethings not fully tightened down.

[The Gordens]

Be sure and check your turning capability if you make changes to the Anderson hitch. If you move the pivot point closer to the cab this will change your clearance to the cab when backing and turning.

[thenne1713]

Originally Posted by Riich

What is "call for"? Your door sticker? Put them up the the maximum listed on the sidewall. When cold.

Good luck sorting this out.

(From my experience) if you find a driver complaining that the drive was "exhausting since new tires", you will also find front tires overinflated (i.e. 80 vs 65 door label)... and when reduced back down to door label "MUCH, MUCH better" (Just my $0.02)

[artoo93]

Originally Posted by AKRUEBBE

Usually the rear wheels on a dually just call for 65 lbs..........doubt that his is a dually though.

My dually is 80 lbs in all 8 wheels (I carry 2 spares). I have never seen a dually that has the psi set different front to back.

[Mopar_Earl]

Originally Posted by artoo93

My dually is 80 lbs in all 8 wheels (I carry 2 spares). I have never seen a dually that has the psi set different front to back.

Use to be common. Haven't dealt with any late model daully trucks.


Earl