Should I adjust my towing setup?

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   Just finished a trip to St. George Island, FL with our 2018 171, towed by our 2014 TDI Touareg. The TV is a new setup, with only 1 other short trip clocked.
From the ground, the 171 sits 19.5" i the front, and 19" in the rear, so when towing it is pretty level.

However, I noticed sway I had not experienced before cruising at 60 to 65 max on the highway with trucks and even vehicles passing me. I did not have my sway control on, as in the last several FL trips, I didn't seam to need it.

I was wondering if my sway was caused by the conditions I just never experienced before or if maybe I should bring my ball down a bit to give the front more of a dip.

Thoughts?

Note: I was also running WDH, which was not very tight, just to help with dips and stuff.

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clickscrazy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 09 Aug 2017 Location: FL Online Status: Offline Posts: 106	Topic: Should I adjust my towing setup? Posted: 12 Aug 2018 at 4:50pm
	Just finished a trip to St. George Island, FL with our 2018 171, towed by our 2014 TDI Touareg. The TV is a new setup, with only 1 other short trip clocked. From the ground, the 171 sits 19.5" i the front, and 19" in the rear, so when towing it is pretty level. However, I noticed sway I had not experienced before cruising at 60 to 65 max on the highway with trucks and even vehicles passing me. I did not have my sway control on, as in the last several FL trips, I didn't seam to need it. I was wondering if my sway was caused by the conditions I just never experienced before or if maybe I should bring my ball down a bit to give the front more of a dip. Thoughts? Note: I was also running WDH, which was not very tight, just to help with dips and stuff.
	2018 R-Pod 171 2014 VW Touareg TDI

mcarter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 07 Apr 2016 Location: Greenbrier, TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 3419	Posted: 12 Aug 2018 at 5:28pm
	Personally I would not lower hitch. You have a level rig. Does your WDH not have sway control? How much sway? Anything happen to increase rear weight?
	Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

GlueGuy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 15 May 2017 Location: N. California Online Status: Offline Posts: 2629	Posted: 12 Aug 2018 at 6:08pm
	Front/rear weight distribution will have more effect on sway than that small amount of out-of-level. I would guess that when you were experiencing sway you may have inadvertently loaded more aft than you have in the past? That's a SWAG.
	bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost

Ben Herman Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 26 Apr 2018 Location: Gr Junction, CO Online Status: Offline Posts: 355	Posted: 12 Aug 2018 at 6:13pm
	Since you have sway control I'd try it with that next time and see if you notice a difference. Not sure what your former TV was but the Touareg has a pretty sort wheel base which could make a difference.

clickscrazy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 09 Aug 2017 Location: FL Online Status: Offline Posts: 106	Posted: 12 Aug 2018 at 6:47pm
	Previous TV was a trailblazer, which actually had a shorter wheelbase. I do have sway control. Will try that for sure and maybe load more to the front.
	2018 R-Pod 171 2014 VW Touareg TDI

jato Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Feb 2012 Location: Kewadin, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 3221	Posted: 12 Aug 2018 at 8:52pm
	We encountered this problem on our '08 Explorer when we first purchased our 177. Originally we had a 2" drop on the hitch, pod was nearly level, and we experienced a lot of sway. We then went with a 4" drop hitch and the sway was eliminated. Both cases we were using a sway bar link. For the most part the sway was minimal using the 2" drop, but it could be felt while driving. With the 4" drop, that feel of sway never materialized while driving.
	God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."

OldNeumanntapr Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 May 2018 Location: CA Online Status: Offline Posts: 204	Posted: 12 Aug 2018 at 9:25pm
	I wouldn't tow any faster than 60 mph, but that's just me.

clickscrazy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 09 Aug 2017 Location: FL Online Status: Offline Posts: 106	Posted: 12 Aug 2018 at 9:36pm
	Ok. I may try dropping it a bit. I don't drive faster than 65, but even at 60 it was felt.
	2018 R-Pod 171 2014 VW Touareg TDI

clickscrazy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 09 Aug 2017 Location: FL Online Status: Offline Posts: 106	Posted: 12 Aug 2018 at 9:38pm
	I did also go one more link up on my wdh this time. That could also perhaps have caused the problem.
	2018 R-Pod 171 2014 VW Touareg TDI

GlueGuy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 15 May 2017 Location: N. California Online Status: Offline Posts: 2629	Posted: 13 Aug 2018 at 2:40pm
	Double nickel is the limit for vehicles with trailers in California. We've gotten used to going slow and easy, and enjoying the trip.
	bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost