sfd4
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• Linden, NJ, USA |
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• Registered on 4/14/2004 |
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• 31 posts |
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 Posted:4/1/2005 20:45 |
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Hello. I corrected my trailer sway with a Hensley Hitch setup. I have no sway at all at anytime. It is worth the money. I tow a 34ft Dbl slide Travel trailer. Jim how much does your Airstream weigh? How do you do in the hills? Any suggestions on other vehicle towing upgrades?
2000 Excursion V10 Limited. White/Tan
2004 Fleetwood 34ft Travel Trailer |
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85MH325
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• Eastern, IA, USA |
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• Registered on 3/20/2004 |
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• 54 posts |
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 Posted:4/2/2005 12:47 |
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| Quote: | | Hello. I corrected my trailer sway with a Hensley Hitch setup. I have no sway at all at anytime. It is worth the money. I tow a 34ft Dbl slide Travel trailer. Jim how much does your Airstream weigh? How do you do in the hills? Any suggestions on other vehicle towing upgrades? |
I use a Reese Dual Cam with the 8800lb (approx) Airstream, and as I said in my earlier post, trailer sway can result from a number of causes, and in my case none of them were from the trailer. The Hensley is an excellent hitch, but it should be for the cost. It has issues as well, one of which is the difficulty described by some owners when trying to hitch the truck/trailer in a yaw situation where the truck is tilted and at an angle relative to the trailer, which is the exact problem I face where my trailer is parked.
The Hensley cam-lever design resists input from the trailer being passed on to the tow vehicle by fooling the tow vehicle into thinking that it's actual pivot point is at the rear axle rather than several feet behind it (similar to the fifth wheel), but the Hensley doesn't do anything to correct the actual causes of sway. Until you correct the actual cause of your trailer sway issues, there is a nasty surprise just waiting in the rear end of your Excursion to bite you at the worst possible moment; hitting a patch of gravel on a curve, or on a twisty two-lane road on a panic movement or where-ever. Neither the Reese nor the Hensley can fix the rear-axle steering problem inherent in the Excursion rear suspension. Anti-sway devices can only do so much to help out... the best way is to isolate and fix the actual cause of your sway problems. If, after doing all of the normal stuff to fix sway (tire pressure, trailer loading, proper tongue weight etc. etc.), and your rig still has problems, it's probably a design issue with either the trailer or tow vehicle... such as that with the Excursion rear suspension.
Even though you have the Hensley now, I would still highly recommend a new set of shocks (you pick the brand...), the Helwig sway bar under the rear axle, and a set of LandYot's radius rods. The difference over the stock Ex in the feeling of control is almost indescribable. I should also mention that LandYot's radius rods improve the braking performance 100% from the mushy, spring-wrap stops to a smooth even haul-down on every stop. I also replaced the brake rotors and pads with some much higher quality aftermarket equipment. The only other mod I've done is to install the K&N intake filter system. It seems to be able to improve the mileage one or two mpg under some circumstances.
Roger |
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Saleen99122
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• Somerset, NJ, USA |
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• Registered on 7/8/2005 |
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• 32 posts |
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Posted:7/13/2005 14:06 |
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I sent an email to Roger, any chance on an update on where you are with this issue?
I just bought an 05 Excursion and I'm experiencing the same thing where I never had a problem before with
my F-250 crew cab. The EX is very unstable on bumps and turns, and I almost lost the truck and
trailer the first time out. An 18 wheeler blew by me at I'm guessing 85-90, and it was a white knuckle
ride across 3 lanes for almost 30 seconds. I measured the tongue weight so I know that is not an
issue. At the moment, I'm having the Reese w/d hitch replaced with an Equalizer hitch that should help minimize the sway. I can't use the Reese dual cam or the friction control due to the V-nose on the trailer - nothing lines up right. Now I'm looking to correct the problems with the truck.
Any advice is appreciated... |
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bigfoot567
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• Fort Worth, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 3/18/2005 |
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• 55 posts |
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Posted:7/13/2005 19:32 |
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As you'll soon see by reviewing the older posts on this site, you need to do a few things to drastically improve the handling of the X ( I think the newer X's are a little better from the factory than the older models)
replace factory shocks, as the OEM's are way too small for even no-tow driving
install a Helwig rear sway bar ( JC Whitney has 'em)
install LANDYOT's radius rods
These 3 items will result in a huge difference in your X's handling and towing performance.
FYI |
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Richard Smith
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• Knoxville, TN, USA |
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• Registered on 10/4/2003 |
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• 104 posts |
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Posted:7/13/2005 19:33 |
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I tow a 9200 pound 33 foot travel trailer. I use a Pull-rite WD hitch. This hitch eliminates 90 percent of swaying. The Pull-rite locks up the trailer ball movement and moves the pivot point just behind the axle - acts just like a 5th wheel trailer and hitch. The tow bar swings on a large curved rail at the back of the truck. The front of the trailer moves exactly with the front end of the truck vs. a standard hitches causes the front of the trailer to move opposite to the front of the truck - thus inducing swaying potential.
I like to have about 10 percent of the trailer weight on the ball. Most hitches in the 10k range limit hitch weight to 1k. |
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Saleen99122
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• Somerset, NJ, USA |
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• Registered on 7/8/2005 |
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• 32 posts |
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Posted:7/14/2005 08:15 |
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Thanks guys... I got an email back from Roger as well, thanks!
A Pullrite is a nice option, as would the Hensley, but they are priced beyond my means at this point.
I'd be very happy to put a set of Landyot's arms on the truck, unfortunately he doesn't have them
available at the moment. As soon as he posts that he is taking orders, I'll get on the list. There
doesn't appear to be many other traction bar options from what I've seen searching the web for the
last couple of days. My Ex already has a rear bar, I'm going to measure it over the weekend and
compare it to the size of the Hellwig. Shocks are a possibility, I had Bilsteins in my previous F-250
so that is where I will probably go. I'm also looking at switching to highway tires instead of the Long
Trails that came on the truck, at least until I have to put the plow on in the fall.
I just picked the trailer back up last night after having an Equalizer w/d hitch with the built in sway control
installed. From the 25 mile ride home on the highway, I can say it was a definate improvement over
the Reese that I had before. The real test will be with the car in the trailer, but last night was definately
more incouraging than the ride to drop the trailer off was. The saga continues... |
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supercrewjohn
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• Monrovia, CA, USA |
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• Registered on 6/13/2005 |
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• 45 posts |
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Posted:7/14/2005 19:13 |
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Hello,
I have been researching this subject as well with respect to the radius rods, and it would appear that Fab-Tech does make a kit that is readily available for both the 2 wd and 4wd Excursions. I am not sure on cost just yet, but I know that they can be purchased from 4 wheel parts so I am sure almost any good suspension shop could probably get them if they sell Fab-Tech. |
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Saleen99122
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• Somerset, NJ, USA |
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• Registered on 7/8/2005 |
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• 32 posts |
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Posted:7/15/2005 07:34 |
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From what I've found, the only kits available (including FabTech) are for at least a 4" lift.
I'm guessing that is because of the angle needed, ie why Landyot's kit needs to trim the
factory snubber... I'm looking for something that will work with the stock suspension height. |
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LANDYOT
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• Subscriber since 11/23/2003 |
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• Newport News, VA, USA |
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• Registered on 7/15/2003 |
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• 1,110 posts |
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Posted:7/15/2005 15:00 |
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The OEM traction bar (snubber) must be trimmed to install the radius-rods at any height. If you haven't already, send me an e-mail, and I'll reply with the info-pack. The radius-rods perform the same function as ladder bars, but ladder bars are geared more for trucks that have been lifted a good deal. The radius-rods are better suited to stock-height Excursions. |
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85MH325
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• Eastern, IA, USA |
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• Registered on 3/20/2004 |
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• 54 posts |
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Posted:7/15/2005 19:47 |
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It would be helpful to have some specifics to know whether or not we could make some suggestions... tire brand, size, & load ratings inflation pressures both on the Ex and the trailer. It would also be helpful to know what your trailer weight is both unladen and with the car on board, as well as the hitch weight also unladen and with the car on board. It would also be interesting to know the length of the draw bar you were using before you got the WDH installed.
Roger
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