crappie_fisherman
Fort Wayne, Indiana
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Joined: 08/09/2005
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I think identifying any differences between when you towed behind your truck and your FIL's truck is important.
Was the TT loaded the same?
Are the receivers on the two trucks similar heights to the ground?
Is the TT nose high on your truck and level on your FILs truck?
Did you apply the same WD chain link on both trucks?
The suspensions on both trucks will be different and WD setups will also likely be different. Perhaps you should ensure you have proper WD setup on YOUR truck using the following STICKY
Go thru that sticky first and then do as others have suggested in hitting a scale to verify your weights and balance.
You will need 3 weights at the scale to ensure proper WD balance. Get individual axle weights for the TV and both TT axles as one are okay.
1) Your truck as it sits unhitched (this is your BASELINE axle weights)
2) Your truck HITCHED to the TT with WD engaged
3) Your truck HITCHED to the TT with NO WD applied (i.e. simply carry all tongue load on hitch with no spring bars)...this will give you your tongue weight
When figuring your tongue weight from #3 you will have to subtract the shifted weight from the FRONT axle that is appearing on the REAR axle...you know your UNHITCHED front axle from #1.
You want the FRONT axle in #2 to MATCH the FRONT axle in #1. Proper application of WD ensures that you have shifted weight BACK to the unloaded front axle...(see the sticky).
The good news is that you've towed your TT and had a stable experience...so that should rule out the TT as a source of sway...now you have to 'find' the WD balance that you achieved on your FIL's truck...that's all.
Good luck,
joe.
DH, DW, 2 DD's
2005 Excursion V10 w/4.30's
- Hensley Arrow
- Prodigy
- Hellwig rear sway bar
- RoadMaster Suspension
- Front 2" hitch
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2007 JayFlight 31BHDS (3 women & 2 slides...it helps!  )
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yardsale1
Orange County, California
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Joined: 09/22/2007
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I dont know if someone else said this or not, but you need to eliminate the sway problem BEFORE you put the sway control on. Otherwise you are just putting a bandaid on the real problem.
2007 Keystone Raptor 299MP
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TXiceman
(Near) Houston,TX
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Joined: 11/17/2000
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scottcougar wrote:only difference between trucks is the leaf springs on the back?
Read closer...one is a Dodge and the other is a Ford.
ken
KE5DFR
Vintage 1979 Silver Streak Supreme Rocket toted by a 2002 F350, crewcab dually, 7.3L,4.10 axle,SCMT. Travel with two miniature Schnauzers and one African Gray parrot. Practicing for retirement!
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Anyoltime
Strathmore,AB
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What about different tires and inflation,hitch height,hitch angle,length of wheel base,shock absorbers,and of course load.
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baldag
Chattanooga Tn
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Joined: 09/18/2006
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Scott, the difference between a Dodge 2500 and 3500 SRW is a spring package. I don't know between a 2500 and F350.
Unless the 350 is a dually, my initial reaction is that the hitch is not at the same height between the 2500 and 350.
George
"I was cut out to be rich, but I got sewed up wrong"
2006 Dodge Ram 2500 QC Laramie 4x4 SB CTD auto "Buck"
Flagstaff 26RLS
Hensley Arrow
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Tex Garcia
So Cal
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baldag wrote:Scott, the difference between a Dodge 2500 and 3500 SRW is a spring package. I don't know between a 2500 and F350.
Unless the 350 is a dually, my initial reaction is that the hitch is not at the same height between the 2500 and 350.
George
A dodge 2500 has a GVW of 8800lb.
A ford F350 SWR has a gvw as high as 11500lb.
Also do both trucks have the same wheel base. A longer WB will sway less.
I agree the hitch height could be a factor. Not just the empty height, but also the loaded height too.
I would consider hitting the scales with the f350.
Then with the 2500. The numbers will most likely speak for themselves.
Like others have stated, the same settings may not work for both trucks.
Good luck.
Tex
00 FREIGHTLINER c16 cat 18 SPEED
04 F-250 PSD, TORQUE SHIFT, CREW CAB FX4
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scottcougar
Saskatchewan
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Joined: 07/25/2006
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ill keep the friction bars. how much is the reese dual cam? what does it all come with?
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crappie_fisherman
Fort Wayne, Indiana
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scottcougar wrote:ill keep the friction bars. how much is the reese dual cam? what does it all come with?
If your WD hitch is already a round bar system with properly sized bars for your actual tongue load...you may be able to upgrade using THIS...the second and third clickable links in this link are for 4 and 5" frames and the other is for 6" frame KITS...I 'assume' you have a 6" frame but wasn't 100% sure...and if you already have 'crooked' bars...the first clickable link is for you...
To purchase a new WD hitch with DC sway control CLICK HERE
Regardless of which way you go...a trip to the scales is in order and use This STICKY
Once you know your weight distribution and balance are right on YOUR truck...than you can look at a more effective means of sway control. First you need to attack the source of the sway versus trying to simply cover it up.
Sway control IMO is there for those worst of worst conditions that if you tow enough miles WILL appear and you WILL find yourself scrambling without proper sway control...and at that point it is too late to go back for more...BUT you simply can not substitute MORE sway control up front instead of properly loading and balancing your rig...that IMO is asking for trouble...but of course that is simply my opinion.
I do suspect that your hitch height is one factor in the difference between the two trucks and the other is that you may not be returning enough weight to YOUR front axle thru WD...but the scale would tell you that...your FIL's truck may have a stiffer rear suspension and thus able to carry more tongue load with less WD applied...just a guess...
Good luck...I hope the links are what you were asking for.
Joe.
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ib516
Up here!
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I have a 2004 Cougar 301BHS (also 34' long), and pull it with a 2002 Dodge 2500. I use one friction type sway bar in windy conditions.
If you fresh water tank is only partially full, and is mounted behind the TT axles, that will cause sway.
I really doubt it has anything to do with what truck is pulling it, I think you just need to check a few things. many have already been mentioned.
1) TT should NOT be nose up when hitched up.
2) TV tires should be properly inflated.
3) WDH should be properly set up.
4) Set up should be weighed to ensure all weighs are correct (tongue weight ratio etc). The Husky on Vic East in Regina has CAT scales. $13 for the initial weigh, then $1.50 for a reweigh.
2004 Cougar 301 BHS 6580# Dry, 9000# wet, 9600# GVWR)
2007 Dodge/5.9L Cummins 3500 SRW Megacab 4x4/3.73
Hypertech Max Energy
"MEGACASPER" 10100# GVWR, 5200# FGAWR, 6200# RGAWR
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scottcougar
Saskatchewan
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my tt isnt nosed up. i will check tire pressure though. im not sure where my water tank is located? i do travel with full water tank also. i always pulled my trailer with FIL truck when my water tank was empty.
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