Trailer sway
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7883
Printed Date: 25 May 2025 at 7:12pm
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Topic: Trailer sway
Posted By: AndR
Subject: Trailer sway
Date Posted: 06 May 2016 at 12:26pm
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History: have a 182g. Have towed it with a Chevy Tahoe for three years, no problems with trailer sway. Problem: have a new F150 with a shell. I am now having significant trailer sway. Truck has built in tailer sway control. I have not changed anything in the trailer as far as loading is concerned. Does anyone have any ideas? I have been told that woe she'll, I might be having an aerodynamic problem that is causing lift on the back of the trailer, so try raising the tongue a few inches. I have also been told to get a W/D hitch. I am at a loss. Thanks in advance for any advice. ------------- Thanks and Happy Camping! |
Replies:
Posted By: Mountainrev
Date Posted: 06 May 2016 at 1:25pm
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It certainly does seem odd that you would have sway issues with an F-150 when you didn't with a Tahoe. I'm no expert, by any means, but I have a hard time believing the topper on your truck would cause aerodynamic problems which would lead to trailer sway. Are you using the same draw bar as you did with the Tahoe? If so, is your trailer level or just slightly nose-down? If it is, don't drop the tongue. If you're nose-high, then get a new ball mount with a longer drop. At the very least, I'd purchase a friction anti-sway bar. They're pretty cheap (well under $100). See if that helps. Good luck! ------------- 2014 177 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee Turbodiesel "I lift my eyes to the hills." 
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Posted By: JandL
Date Posted: 06 May 2016 at 3:33pm
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There are some good technical articles on this post about the Dynamics of towing. Does it make any difference when you turn the sway control off?
http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7315&title=dynamics-of-towing ------------- JandL 2013 Honda Ridgeline 2012 177 2 Paynes in a Pod |
Posted By: AndR
Date Posted: 06 May 2016 at 9:03pm
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Thanks for the responses. I adjusted my ball on the hitch. Raised it two inches. That left me with the front of the trailer being one inch higher than the back when on level ground. Seemed to make all the difference. Drove home in a horrendous wind storm and very little, negligible, sway! Hope that is the last of this issue. Happy Podding! Ron ------------- Thanks and Happy Camping! |
Posted By: Kantuckid
Date Posted: 14 May 2016 at 1:21pm
| I had slight sway in windstorm towing with F-150 that has towing pkg. I'm adding a $35 sway control. |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 15 May 2016 at 9:49pm
The nose should be level or lower than the rear to prevent sway. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: Craneman
Date Posted: 15 May 2016 at 11:37pm
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Can anyone tell me exactly how to adjust a friction sway control ?. Moe ------------- Jo and Gary, 2010-174,2011 F150 
Jo and Gary 2010 174 2011 Ford 150 |
Posted By: AndR
Date Posted: 15 May 2016 at 11:37pm
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Heading out again next week. Will keep everyone posted as to how the trailer performs. Thanks for the responses. ------------- Thanks and Happy Camping! |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 16 May 2016 at 8:03pm
I believe on the one I used with my popup the handle turned 360 degrees to engage/disengage. To adjust the tension applied while engaged, the official instructions say to turn the adjustment bolt 1/4 turn each time before test-towing. But I believe I had to use smaller adjustments with mine. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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