Travel trailer hard to handle 2019 Ford F150

[zzvyb6]

The root cause of the trailer sway is the poor sideslip stiffness of the trailer tires. Yes a better hitch can help, but all it's able to do is transfer the truck's sideslip stiffness to the trailer. That's not really the best fix.

Trailer loading is also a contributor. Trailer manufacturers place the heavy stuff where it fits and is convenient to plumb (tanks, generators, and appliances). They don't comprehend the poor vehicle dynamics behind 'transport tires', the compliant frames, overslung leaf springs, and the poorly distributed masses for low yaw inertia. Yes you can get the hitch weight distribution to be within legal limts, but the fundamental cause is with the trailer tires and suspension.

Trade in the trailer's Goober Hi-Miler Multi-Beast Ribbed baloney skins for a set of brand name 5 Star professionally rated tires with an appropriate load rating and set pressure. The main problem with trailer (and some truck tires) is they have to run at very high pressures in order to carry the vertical loads on them, but the peak sideforce capability usually occurs at 2/3rds of this pressure. Same for the truck actually. Low sideforce capability = Cornering Stiffness as it is known in the engineering world. If I were still working (40 years in a Big 3 vehicle manufacturer's Vehicle Dynamics department) I would EVALUATE the combination at lower tire pressures in a controlled circumstance (If the max was 90 psi let's say) just to see if it is a tire problem). No I would NEVER RUN the combination at a lesser pressure in daily use but you need to sort out why you have a sway issue. I've known people who run the lower pressures for ride reasons (to keep the trailer from breaking into pieces during your vacation). Then it gets stored for 9 months and the tire belts are flat, lumpy and make you talk funny in the cab.

BTW, when we tried to issue trailer tire and suspension guidelines to the SAE Organization, the trailer manufacturers sued, claiming we were denying their children food, health, livelyhood and all that other freedom crap. It's a wonder we don't see more cardboard trailers out on the road. (Well you DO when one jacknifes and the largest piece out in the median is the toilet or refrigerator !) This is the real reason States don't allow passengers to ride in travel trailers during a vacation.

 

[dodge man]

Another mistake is people look on line for towing limits. The manufacturer often just show the maximum limits of a truck and not what most normal trucks are rated. Someone above said there King Ranch is rated at 13,500 pounds, I can promise he doesn't have the payload for it. You have to look at your trucks actual numbers and they are on the stickers on the door of all newer trucks.

 

[zing]

My SIL has a fully loaded 2019 Ford F150 with tow package. He has a 38' bumper pull camper that weighs 8900lbs dry. 2.5 liter engine, but he says has plenty of power pulling camper. Has a new type Reese hitch set up and tow limit I believe is around 11,500 lbs. He added air shocks that helped but still has trouble handling in a wind on highway. I suggested heavier springs maybe but he believes he should move up to an F250 Ford. Any suggestions?

That's a lot of trailer for a truck that doesn't weigh very much. Along with the stuff the others said, an F250 (or any other 3/4 ton) is going to have 80psi in the rear tires and weigh 3500 lbs more than his current truck. That engine may pull well but it is going to be light. The bigger calipers, rotors, axles, etc on a 3/4 ton all add up to not just better stopping, but a truck that doesn't get bullied as much by the trailer. Add in a diesel for the extra weight and power plus the exhaust braking, and once he tries it he will be very upset with the people who recommended his current setup to him.

The trailer is a bumper pull so he doesn't need rails or anything, so it is easy to compare. Have him rent or borrow a late model 3/4 ton, and give it a try to see the difference. Do that before he spends a bunch more money upgrading the truck he already has, because right now he is just throwing good money after bad.

 

[metalbender]

Not enought truck, period. An accident waiting to happen.

 

[ultrarunner]

I wonder just how high the ratings will go?

Yesterday a new Dodge Cummins pickup passed me on the freeway towing four vehicles on a gooseneck trailer. The pickup did have a 40,000 weight sticker on the fender.

 

[ruffdog]

Does your SIL have LT or P tires on his truck???

Very good point and the first thing to change when towing with a 1/2T truck. The P-metric tires are good for light loads to offer a good ride but they do have more flex in the sidewalls than the LT tires.

 

[metalbender]

Questions for the OP. Did sil tow the trailer successfully with a prior truck? What made him purchase a 1/2 ton where a one ton should be utilized.

 

[ovrszd]

BTW, I used to pull a 43' Toyhauler 5th wheel with an F350 Dually diesel. The day I got rid of the 5th wheel was one of my better days. Then I traded the F350 on an F150 and have been a "happy camper".

So how do you haul those things now?

 

[Farmer495]

Is the Reese hitch a proper WD hitch and is it set up properly? If you didn't do it right there will be problems.

What is the trailer tongue weight and cargo distribution?

What tires are on the truck at what PSI? Hope not some P metric at 35 PSI.

He needs to go to a truck scale and see what is going on weight distribution wise.

I'm towing a smaller, lighter bumper camper with a 3.5 Max Tow (11,200 rated) and you don't even know it's back there.

 

[caver]

Get a bigger truck or smaller camper. One thing you should look at is on your bumper there will be a sticker or tag telling maximum tongue weight with/without a WDH (weight distribution hitch).
My F250 only has a tongue weight of 500 and about double that with a WDH. Say it has a 60 gallon water tank, there's another 500lbs and then add up all the junk people carry...me included. Better yet go on rvnet and ask under their towing forums. rv net towing