tftlh
Sitka, Alaska, US
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Joined: 08/24/2004
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We have a 1986 Coleman Sun Valley folding trailer. My son is going to use it this summer. He will tow it with his Windstar. The hitch is correct. We are sure we have the correct size ball. But there is a lot of 'play' in the hitch. It wobbles and fishtails a bit. What causes this and how can we correct it?
Thanks
Robert Holt
Sitka Alaska
Robert Holt
Sitka Alaska
tftlh@uas.alaska.edu[/email]
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AlbertF
Western Canada
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Some more detail would help. What do you mean by swaying and fishtailing? At what speed does this happen? Is there enough tongue weight, e.g. 10 to 12%? Are tire pressures correct? Does it do this behind your tow vehicle? What do you tow it with? (A Windstar should work very well for towing that trailer.)
Most pop ups use a 2" coupler; make sure the ball is 2" and not 1-7/8".
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crazyoldcoot
South of Arkansas
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I had a 1986 starcraft and the hitch had an adjustment to take out any slack between the ball and hitch.
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rrupert
NW PA (Oil Heritage Region)
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Coleman switched from 1 7/8" to 2" hitches, but I believe yours is 1 7/8" based on the model year. If you have sway, it sounds more like a tongue weight issue to me.
Joyce and Rich
2005 HiLo 1705T
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camsa5
Canada
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Do not tow until you are sure that the coupler and ball size match correctly. If not the trailer may come off the ball and cause a serious accident. This is what I can advise you on when you say "there is alot of play in the hitch". The wobbling and fishtailing could also be a result of incorrect ball & coupler matching. The windstar could be a very good tow vehicle for that trailer if equiped properly. Good Luck.
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PavementPilot
Vernon, BC
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Get ahold of Caddywhompus about Windstar/Freestar towing. He would be your best bet on info.
DW, 2 girls, and me
07 Freestar
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08 Minn Kota 30 lb Troller
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kknowlton
Wisconsin Border Country, IL
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I agree with camsa5 - your son very well may have the wrong size hitch ball. Easily changed if you're handy, or by a hitch shop or RV dealer.
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Pete D
Washington
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Easy to verify that you have the right gear -- The sizes should be stamped into both the coupler and the ball -- BTW, most standard couplers are adjustable -- Look on the underside for a nut.
1998 Ranger 4.0 4x4
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agesilaus
North Florida
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Also make sure that the hitch ball is made up tightly, the screw is tightened up all the way and some oomph put on the wrench. Reese calls for 450 ft-pounds on their hitch balls which is an incredible amount to do by hand. If the ball is loose it will certainly be felt.
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campingsaxplayer
Texas
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tftlh wrote: But there is a lot of 'play' in the hitch. It wobbles and fishtails a bit. What causes this and how can we correct it?
Thanks
Robert Holt
Sitka Alaska
Robert,
Are you talking about the drawbar that goes into the hitch on the vehicle that is moving excessively? There should be a little play, even with the pin inserted. Check to see if the holes of both the drawbar and hitch are "wallowed" out and causing it to move excessively even with the pin inserted. If they look questionable, I would replace them.
Sincerely,
Matt
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