06 F150

[dchris]

I have a 3500 lb trailer that I had been towing with a mid size Dodge Dakota without any sway. I switched to a full size Ford F150 and now it sways when I get above 50mph going down hill. I would think having a larger auto would make it better, not worse. Does this seem right?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 06 F150

do you have trailer brakes? may need to adjust tongue weight, have you checked tire pressure, on both tow vehicle and trailer. is your trailer level when towing, or do you need a drop or rise reciever?

 

[mikey.himself]

Re: 06 F150

Are your trailer brakes adjusted correctly? (if you have them)
Is your trailer sitting level? drophitch/rise receive like mentioned above

 

[dchris]

Re: 06 F150

Trailer is sitting level. Checked tire pressure before we left. I usually adjust the trailer brakes so you can just feel a slight pull when hitting the trailer brakes only. Is there a better method of adjusting them? Weight might have been an issue. I assume when you say tounge weight you mean moving weight to one side of the tires or the other. Do you want a trailer front or rear heavy or even?

 

[Salmonseeker]

Re: 06 F150

I assume when you say tounge weight you mean moving weight to one side of the tires or the other. Do you want a trailer front or rear heavy or even?

Tongue weight, refers to the weight that is resting on the trailer hitch ball. For example if your were to put a scale under the trailer coupler and weigh this. This would be the tongue weight. It should be around 10% of the total boat and trailer weight. Here is a link with more info on it. http://www.womanmotorist.com/index.php/news/main/3657/event=view

This would not have changed though because of the vehicle change so I doubt this is the problem. But you could always check it to be sure. Refer to the link I posted for ways to check it. You must have an accurate weight of the whole trailer loaded with the boat and motor.

 

[mikey.himself]

Re: 06 F150

If there is not enough weight on the hitch (on the vehicle) through the trailer it can dance, and sway. If the trailer is level, airs good, weight is evenly distributed, than I'm not sure what else to recommend. Sway bars are something to potentially think about. Relatively inexpensive and very effective. Sometimes axle alignment can cause your load to sway around. Unfortunately you can't really adjust your trailer's tongue weight on a boat trailer unless you're able to slide the bunks/rollers/winch forward.

 

[1730V]

Re: 06 F150

Look at your tongue HEIGHT. The F-150 is higher than the Dakota. If your towed load has a higher tongue height, it unloads the trailer ball weight. You need tongue weight to counteract sway.

The easy fix is to buy a "drop" drawbar/hitch.

I've towed 9500#'s with a late generation F-150. They do very well. The 150's have enormous brakes and plenty of towing torque in the mid range, where you need it.

 

[mrfixitman40]

Re: 06 F150

I would have to say you need a 4 inch drop reciever if it is stock. What f150 package is it . as stated several times tongue weight is critical and the tongue being higher will alter that .

 

[1730V]

Re: 06 F150

I have a 6" drop on my 150 but mine is a 4X4 thus a couple inches higher.

The trick is to get the trailer level.

 

[ntrsandman]

Re: 06 F150

Load range of tires may contribute to sway. I had standard load tires on a truck. Went to load range E. Sway gone. Stiffer sidewalls. My 2 cents.

 

[ntrsandman]

Re: 06 F150

I have a 3500 lb trailer that I had been towing with a mid size Dodge Dakota without any sway. I switched to a full size Ford F150 and now it sways when I get above 50mph going down hill. I would think having a larger auto would make it better, not worse. Does this seem right?

Maybe your boat likes Dodges!