Sway! With A Dual cam!!

[jeeperx2]

Need some help with this!!

Let it be known first that I have always had sway with this hitch.

Just got back from a little trip. (5 hrs round trip) prior to this trip i had been reading up on how my type of hitch was to be set up(I set it up not a dealer) even watched a vid on you tube. after that I decided that when I set it up originally, I didnt do a few things the way they should have been done. So labor day I took the time to go through and set things the way they should be. everything to my knowledge is set perfect now-TT level , spring bars seated in cams , 6 links between bars & snap up brackets , hitch head set at proper angle relative to spring bar angle/drop , measured wheel wells on pick up, front is up 1/2" and so on.....But I am still getting MAJOR SWAY! when I get the worst sway is when I crest a hill and start to decel-Bad enough today at 70mph twice I had to use hand control on brake controller! After the second time I just flat slowed down to 60mph. Which didnt eliminate it but felt safer.

one of the first things im going to have to do is get on a cat scale but until then im lookin for something I mat be overlooking.


Thanks in advance!
Brian.

[EXTremist]

I would think no hitch in the world (properly setup or otherwise - well maybe except the Hensley) would cure an imbalanced trailer with too much weight behind the axles. Sounds as if the tongue weight might be way too light?

[NH 2500HD]

What was your measurements before the trailer is hitched?

You said your front is up a 1/2 inch....I think it should be down a half inch or at least back to the same unhitched measurement. That way the tongue weight is distributed evenly between both front and rear axles. I'm thinking that with your current set up you have too much weight off your front axle and that may be contributing to the sway.

Just my 2 cents!
-Keith

[jeeperx2]

Originally Posted by EXTremist

I would think no hitch in the world (properly setup or otherwise - well maybe except the Hensley) would cure an imbalanced trailer with too much weight behind the axles. Sounds as if the tongue weight might be way too light?

HMMM-could be on to something there-250lb gen. hanging off the rear of the trailer with the rest of the trailer being pretty much empty with the exception of clothing for 4, no grocery or or water of any kind.

[jeeperx2]

Originally Posted by NH 2500HD

What was your measurements before the trailer is hitched?

You said your front is up a 1/2 inch....I think it should be down a half inch or at least back to the same unhitched measurement. That way the tongue weight is distributed evenly between both front and rear axles. I'm thinking that with your current set up you have too much weight off your front axle and that may be contributing to the sway.

Just my 2 cents!
-Keith

I think if I have read others posts correctly if my front was lower than unhitched it would be over my front axle weight rating?? not 100percent sure on this??

[Crabman]

Originally Posted by jeeperx2

HMMM-could be on to something there-250lb gen. hanging off the rear of the trailer with the rest of the trailer being pretty much empty with the exception of clothing for 4, no grocery or or water of any kind.

A tongue light trailer will be more prone to sway. That genny on the back could be enough to throw things off. Also your trailer should sit level or slightly nose down when hitched.

[NH 2500HD]

GMC specifies that 100% of the rise should be eliminated...

Reese 2009 specs say the final front end height must be less than or equal to the unhitched height...

This info was taken from the following:

http://http://www.rv.net/forum/index...d/17730894.cfm

[jeeperx2]

Originally Posted by NH 2500HD

GMC specifies that 100% of the rise should be eliminated...

Reese 2009 specs say the final front end height must be less than or equal to the unhitched height...

This info was taken from the following:

http://http://www.rv.net/forum/index...d/17730894.cfm

link didnt work.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by NH 2500HD

snip.......I think it should be down a half inch or at least back to the same unhitched measurement.........snip.........I'm thinking that with your current set up you have too much weight off your front axle and that may be contributing to the sway........snip

Keith,

Your correct on returning the front suspension back to it's unhitched height, but on Brian's '07' GMC 2500HD compressing the GMC 2500HD front suspension below it's unhitched height will force the suspension against the suspension stops thus effecting TV handling and ride (been there, done it).

I also agree that not returning the "same weight" back to the TV's front suspension that was removed when the TT coupler was placed on the hitch ball can contribute to handling issues (possibly a sway event).

Bob

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by jeeperx2

I think if I have read others posts correctly if my front was lower than unhitched it would be over my front axle weight rating??.....snip

Brian,

I doubt you would be over the TV's FGAWR, but one could return more weight then what was initially removed going below the unhitched height, and also bottom out the suspension stops that I mentioned in my prior reply.

IMO when the Reese HP Dual Cam is set-up and adjusted correctly it will perform well. For effective TV/TT handling of a TT the weight and length of your Jayco you would want a loaded tongue weight equal to 13% to 15% of your loaded TT weight. The only way to confirm your weights and the adjustment of the Reese HP Dual Cam WDH is a visit to a CAT scale. This STICKY will walk you thru the process: http://www.jaycoowners.com/showthread.php?t=3871

The lower portion of the following link has some great info on adjusting a Reese HP Dual Cam: http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fu...d/17730894.cfm

If you want an extra pair of eyes on your Reese HP Dual Cam WDH set-up, feel free to post some pics (in this thread) of your loaded TV/TT hitched up and we can look to see if there is anything that stands out. Close-up pics of the WDH would be very helpful.

Bob

[jeeperx2]

Thanks for the links Bob.

Printed off the sticky for reference at the scale.

The one from RV.Net is the one I found that actually made me re-adjust and watch the video linked to it.

I will within the next couple days hook up in a "loaded" state and take pictures and get them posted for feedback.
At the end of the month we have another 200 mile one way trip and I would love to have this resolved.

Thanks everyone for the great feedback!!!!

[Rustic Eagle]

Brian,

There is one other thing to check for. Many folks (including myself) towing TT's with heavy tongue weights had some issues with our GM OEM Receivers (1999-2007). What would happen is that when you engaged the WD spring bars the OEM receiver pin box would flex "upward" thus compromising the weight distribution. It would also flex while in tow....., not a good thing. Also check for cracks around weld joints.

Before you engage your WD spring bars, measure the distance between the top of the receiver pin box and the bottom of the bumper. Next, while engaging your WD spring bars watch for movement of the pin box. After the spring bars are engaged check the distance again. A "little" upward movement is ok (1/8" to 1/4").

This is a pic or my OEM receiver pin box "bent" in a static state just prior to replacing it with a "real" receiver:



Bob

[jeeperx2]

I have noticed paint missing and surface rust at "Flex" points on the hitch. Will have to inspect closely!

Never cared for this class 5 style hitch with the slide in adapter/reducer

[Rustic Eagle]

Brian,

I wasn't aware that GMC used an adapter/reducer in 2007 on their OEM receivers. Did you upgrade your receiver?

Bob

[jeeperx2]

My truck is a late 07(new body) GMC with the "Work Truck" pkg . Not sure if that jumped the hitch to a class 5 (2 1/2" reciever) or not? My dad has a late 07 silverado 2500hd (new body) with the same class 5. I just assumed they(GM) started putting that hitch on all the 2500's?

the hitch itself looks very similar to yours.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by jeeperx2

snip......Not sure if that jumped the hitch to a class 5 (2 1/2" reciever) or not? My dad has a late 07 silverado 2500hd (new body) with the same class 5........snip

Brian,

If you have the 2 1/2" pin box, then you have the "newer" GM OEM receiver design, and I haven't heard of any issues with them like the prior OEM receivers (my 2500HD has the 2" pin box reciever). If my memory serves me correctly the 2 1/2" design is similar to mine (as you mentioned) but doesn't have as many weldments and the pin box isn't mounted/welded as far away from the reciever cross tube like mine.

The GM OEM reciever that I had was used on all large GM Trucks/SUV's prior to your newer design, but the only difference on my style reciever was on the "HD" models GM added a little recessed metal plate above the pin box to give it a higher weight rating (500lbs I believe).

Like you stated, I would check yours anyway just to rule it out.

Bob

[David472]

Originally Posted by Rustic Eagle

The GM OEM reciever that I had was used on all large GM Trucks/SUV's prior to your newer design, but the only difference on my style reciever was on the "HD" models GM added a little recessed metal plate above the pin box to give it a higher weight rating (500lbs I believe).

Bob

Bob,

Is this what you mean by a recessed metal plate? These photos show my hitch on a 2007 late model, new body half-ton. It's a 2 inch receiver. The sticker says tongue weight rating of 500lbs weight carrying, 1,100lbs weight distributing. Perhaps the OP's new style hitch is similar for his 2500?

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by David472

Bob, Is this what you mean by a recessed metal plate?....snip

David,

On the 2500HD's GM placed the recessed metal plate inside the "U" shape gusset above the pin box. All the non "HD" models didn't have the little plate so you would actually see the receiver cross tube. Here is a pic showing the metal plate (ignore the yellow hi-lite):



Here is a pic of our Forum Moderator "Crabman's" GM OEM receiver without the metal plate (1500 model truck), comparing it to his new replacement receiver:



Bob

[Crabman]

That hitch is now sitting on my metal pile, waiting to be taken to the recycler. I don`t miss it one bit either. Hard to see in the pic but it was also bending or flexing upward, thus reducing the effectiveness of the WD system. (and its not a pretty sight either seeing your receiver bending up with your trailer hitched up)

[David472]

Originally Posted by Crabman

That hitch is now sitting on my metal pile, waiting to be taken to the recycler. I don`t miss it one bit either. Hard to see in the pic but it was also bending or flexing upward, thus reducing the effectiveness of the WD system. (and its not a pretty sight either seeing your receiver bending up with your trailer hitched up)

As the photo shows, there is a hugh difference in mechanical strength between the two.