The pickup is not large but neither is the trailer but we get some double action sway when being over taken by other larger RVs or when buses overtake us. Most of the time we do back or forestry type roads but we are planning some highway type trips that will involve multi-lanes and this sway problem will make for uncomfortable travel. Tires are narrow and high, 700 x 15 high sidewalls - great for gravel roads and hauling firewood, plus the air bag suspension on top of the rear springs. Both likely exaggerate the sway. Suggestions would be appreciated!
Lots of sway control devices are available to help with the exact problem you describe. Even a properly loaded trailer can sway at highway speeds and you certainly feel the influence of bigger vehicles overtaking you. I'm a fan of the dual-cam away control setups but they are a bit pricier than the friction based type.
Here's an example of the friction type sway bars. http://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Dist...tml?feed=npn&gclid=CNbrhtekoL8CFbRj7AodZW0A_w They really work well. I've towed a 20ft box trailer fully load to nashville, TN two times. Once without sway control and once with. Let me tell ya the difference is amazing. A coworker of mine tows a 24ft camper behind his tundra with sway control and he says he wouldnt tow without it. Those skinny tall tires arent helping but they get the job done im sure. No sense in swapping tires just because of a little trailer sway
http://hensleymfg.com I believe this is what mm is referring to. My dad has one and loves it. Pretty pricey.
Sorry for the long read Allan but it's good info. You can scan through until they talk specifically about sway control. http://www.etrailer.com/faq-weightdistribution.aspx
I have been considering of going back to the original rims which were wider with a lower aspect tire, plus those narrow traction tires are very noisy. With the truck now being older the original rims on Craig list are reasonably priced. The truck only has 130,000 miles on the clock.
There is no substitute for a properly loaded trailer. Sway control devices are to help with induced sway, like you are describing, but that sway can be magnified by improper loading. Find a platform scale and check it as you would have it loaded for a trip. You want 10-15% of the trailer weight on the tongue. You can fine tune it from there, but it is a good starting point. I'm a big fan of the Reese Dual Cam system. If you already have the correct weight distributing hitch, you can add the sway control setup http://www.reeseprod.com/content/products.aspxlvl=2&parentid=1600&catid=1665&part= The Equal-i-zer is also very popular. I would look hard at it if I had to buy a whole new hitch http://www.equalizerhitch.com
Good advice ! Will take your advice and get an accurate loaded weight of the tongue . This little trailer has large water and waste water tanks ,which can amount to 1,000 lbs if all are full , with the two waist tanks behind the trailer axle plus much of the storage space .
A good weight distributing hitch and sway control setup is a little pricey but if the trailer is loaded properly, it will end your sway issues.
