Towing Stability Upgrades?

[Roush Auto Detailing]

Hello everyone!

I have a 3L powerstroke w/o max tow making my rating 10,200lbs. I am happy with the performance of the motor minus some grades around Western NC that are a little steep but I have an idea that will let the truck breathe way better…. …. Truck is completely stock other than LT tires (Cooper AT3 XLT).

Our camper is 26ft. 32ft with the tongue. Weights 6800 dry. What I want to improve is stability and comfort. Not sure if adding a rear sway bar and/or air bags would make a difference worth the investment or not. Buying a bigger truck as a tow rig is not an option.

Any advise/opinions would be very appreciated!

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[Chris GTO TT]

I assume you're running a decent weight distribution hitch? I'm a fan of weigh-safe if you're looking at upgrading. You could also blow the budget on a pro-pride.

I'd look at replacing your shocks with something like Bilstein 5100s (at stock height)

 

[Buyer2021]

What I want to improve is stability and comfort.

IMO the #1 thing one can do for trailer stability is ensure ta the tongue weight is at least 10% of the trailer weight as loaded for travel. More is better and increases stability as long as you don't exceed your truck's various limiting capacities.

Ya gotta know the actual loaded-for-travel total trailer weight to ensure that, the manufacturer claimed weights and the tongue weight alone doesn't cut it. Cat Scales for getting actual weight data are your friend.

The #2 (and it's a very close second) thing is ensuring that your trailer as loaded for travel and hitched to your truck is riding as 'level' as possible. Applies equally to both single and multi-axle trailers.

A WDH will likely improve ride comfort / reduce 'bucking', but all of the above rules still apply.

IME a trailer with improper static weight distribution will be unstable sooner or later, in some real-world situation likely to be encountered if you tow enough miles, no matter what 'add-on solutions' / so-called anti-sway devices are employed.

Just for your consideration, Happy Trailering!

 

[Roush Auto Detailing]

I assume you're running a decent weight distribution hitch? I'm a fan of weigh-safe if you're looking at upgrading. You could also blow the budget on a pro-pride.

I'd look at replacing your shocks with something like Bilstein 5100s (at stock height)

Yes. I am running the Equalizer 10K WDH with built in friction sway control.

My main stability concerns are a little bit of sway around 70mph. It feels like it’s in my suspension. That’s what is making me feel like a rear sway bar might help.

 

[Davexxxx]

First of all, everything Buyer said.

Dry weights and published hitch weights, are useless. You have to know the truck, trailer and tongue weights as they will be, while camping. A trip to the scales is in your future. Call ahead and ask if there is a slow time, so you can drop the trailer. Re-weighs during the same day, are heavily discounted. 5 bucks, or something like that. You can get real world weights, within 20lbs (+-) of every weigh point of each configuration. Bars engaged, disengaged, truck alone, trailer and tongue alone etc. If I didn't have a WeighSafe hitch, I'd have a stand alone tongue scale.

Who set up your WDH? That may need adjustment, as may hitch height.

The only mods I've done for towing, was to increase tire pressure and add the 1000lb. version of SumoSprings on the rear.

Your truck should have built in sway control. Are you sure you're not just feeling the wind? At 32' no matter how perfectly your set up is, you're gonna feel that.

 

[Porpoise Hork]

I'd say the best upgrade you could do for towing is the RoadActive Suspension kit. Helps maintain stability and ride height/quality when towing. Is reasonably priced, installs in about an hour and does not require complicated wiring or modifications to the suspension.

https://www.roadactivesuspension.com/products/ford-f-150-pickup-4wd-2021-sd

 

[Davexxxx]

My main stability concerns are a little bit of sway around 70mph.

65, to stay alive.

 

[pappcam]

Yes. I am running the Equalizer 10K WDH with built in friction sway control.

My main stability concerns are a little bit of sway around 70mph. It feels like it’s in my suspension. That’s what is making me feel like a rear sway bar might help.

Don't go 70mph. I never towed above 65mph. Ever. Most trailer tires aren't even rated for speeds above 65mph. I'm pretty certain you're also hitting your payload limits in that truck. The actual tow ratings are useless in a 1/2 ton when towing a travel trailer. You will always hit your payload limit before that.

 

[Davexxxx]

Also, available payload was never mentioned. The truck could be overloaded.

 

[Buyer2021]

Most trailer tires aren't even rated for speeds above 65mph.

Suggest "most" should be "some", but you've got to know the rating of your tires.

Just FYI, on the Discount Tire website you can filter trailer tires by speed rating. At least 8 of the trailer tires they offer have speed rating "L - Up to 75 MPH" and at least 6 are rated "N - Up to 87 MPH", including the Goodyear Endurance which I run and highly recommend.

Less than half the trailer tires they offer are rated "J - Up to 62 MPH" or lower.

Not promoting reckless high-speed towing, but with a well-tuned rig and proper tires, safe towing above 65 MPH can be done (e.g. proper tire pressure, proper weight distribution, good road conditions, respecting posted speed limits, maintaining appropriate vehicle spacing in consideration of increased braking distances, etc). But MPG takes a heckova dive at those higher speeds.

FWIW, I regularly tow my trailer at 70-72+ MPH for 40+ miles on the 80 / 85 MPH posted toll road circumventing nearby Austin while monitoring trailer tire pressure and temperature with my Ford accessory TPMS system. I've not noted any increase in tire pressure or temps higher than those observed when towing at 60 MPH.

 

[J17GT]

If you’re feeling sway, I would look at the WDH and see if it needs to be adjusted/tweaked for your setup.

I tow a 24’ enclosed car trailer and total length is just under 30’. Fully loaded around 9800lbs and 1150lbs of tongue weight. I’ve had it on the scales and I’m 230lbs under GVWR.

I run a weigh safe WDH and experience zero sway. It’s like the trailer is on a railroad track behind the truck. Does the truck get nudged around by wind or experience some truck suck with semi’s passing, yes. But the entire rig is very compliant, small steering adjustments is all that is needed. Never have I experienced the sensation of ‘sway’ with my setup.

My biggest complaint was some porpoising when hitting dips in the road. I have a short wheelbase truck with the 5.5ft bed which makes that worse. I added the RAS setup this year and it greatly improved that. I’d say it got rid of 80% of it and helped stabilize the ride.

 

[Buyer2021]

I run a weigh safe WDH and experience zero sway. It’s like the trailer is on a railroad track behind the truck. Does the truck get nudged around by wind or experience some truck suck with semi’s passing, yes. But the entire rig is very compliant, small steering adjustments is all that is needed. Never have I experienced the sensation of ‘sway’ with my setup.

It's good to recognize the distinction between dread 'sway' and the normal / inevitable occasional 'nudging' effects of gusty winds or 'truck suck'.

The former can rapidly escalate in amplitude leading to disastrous loss of control, the latter settles back to 'on-rails' promptly after the 'nudge-event' passes.

Sounds like you've got a well-tuned rig.

 

[Kurt V]

I'd say the best upgrade you could do for towing is the RoadActive Suspension kit. Helps maintain stability and ride height/quality when towing. Is reasonably priced, installs in about an hour and does not require complicated wiring or modifications to the suspension.

https://www.roadactivesuspension.com/products/ford-f-150-pickup-4wd-2021-sd

I have also added Road Active Suspension for towing and would recommend it.

 

[Buyer2021]

Just a note to add - you should always tow within limits that keep you comfortable, confident, and relaxed.

Towing with a rig or in a manner that's stressful for you as a driver is never good for all sorts of reasons including safety - IMO if you feel tense or stressed when towing, something needs to change.

 

[Roush Auto Detailing]

I need to get this back on course.

I am asking what you guys have installed to improve towing comfort and stabiblity. The sway we experience I think is from some wind and corrects itself fairly quickly. It does not porpoise like some people have experienced in the F-150.

1. I have a 10,000lb Equalizer WDH hitch with friction sway control. Installed by a buddy who is a mobile camper tech and installs them all the time. The truck sits level and so does the camper when it’s hooked up.

2. My truck is completely stock minus LT tires.

3. A bigger tow rig is not an option because my truck is not over loaded with payload. Have a 15XX rating. Most of our stuff goes into the camper and spread from the front to the rear depending on what it is. We are very mindful of that when loading up for trips.

I understand that an F-150 is not going to be ideal for towing a large travel trailer like we have. The truck is more than capable to do it safely and efficiently.

I am open to easy bolts ons like rear shocks and a rear sway bar or even have another buddy install air bags. Because I want to put a level kit on it the next time I have to get new tires.

Thanks for all the engagement! Just trying to reel it back in.

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