Waggle not sway.....

[kguess]

I pull my Keystone Hideout 19FLB, 4200lbs dry with a 2014 F-150 , 5.0 litre, tow package. Most of the time it tows nice and straight, with no waggle but all it takes is a fair cross wind and almost always, a semi to blow by and I get enough waggle to bother me some. Some roads also cause the same waggle. I am just a tad high on the hitch but I'm on the bottom of my EZ lift W.D. hitch shank. I believe I am a little light on tongue weight. I'm thinking of adding a half tank of water to my fresh water tank ( its a 30 gallon I think) before I buy a longer shank to drop the trailer. Any thoughts on this are appreciated.

[BirchyBoy]

How far above level is your trailer tongue when connected? The Equalizer manual says that it should be slightly below level, but your hitch may suggest something different.

There are few links on the web that demonstrate what a "light" tongue weight does to a trailer, and it is a "waggle" as you described. Shifting part of your trailer cargo to the front or adding water seems like a good start.

[mfifield01]

I'd like to see responses. I get the same thing in a strong wind. A week ago I was towing in winds that gusted to 30mph. My equalizer WD was great at correcting the trailer, but it would notice it in the truck. I had to make steering corrections, but didn't have any sway.

[Tbos]

I drained all my water before I drove home from our final campout of the season. Not having that 1/3 tank of fresh water made a real difference in the way everything handled. Next year I will wait to drain that tank. I do have my equalizer hitch set to put a bigger load on the truck and I added LT tires to the truck. I run 65 lbs in front and 80 in back when towing. I feel heavy wind gusts 30 mph or so but they don't really create a white knuckle experience. The TT is in a slight nose down attitude even when the fresh water tank is empty.

[Ken / Claudia]

Adding water may help. Adding air into rear tires may help if your not at max. Having LT tires may help if your still using P rated tires. Lowering the front of the trailer may help. Spend a little time checking all weights so, no guessing if your light or heavy or OK on the real wt. of trailer and tongue.

[kguess]

Thanks for your replies. I do have Michelim LTX- A/S tires and I put max. air pressure before leaving the house, same for the Keystone. I'm going to try adding water to the fresh water tank. I forgot to mention that its located( the fresh water tank) in the front of the axels so it should add some tongue weight. I'm pretty sure I have the W.D. hitch set right ( when I measure the front and rear wheel wells , they are the same). I really think my issue is tongue weight being just a little light. I have read many posts on this subject and this is my conclusion. If anyone would like to add their advice, I'm open to suggestions.....thanks, kenny

[busterbrown]

I know it's not in everyone's budget but only 2 premium hitches eliminate all sway and waggles in all conditions. I have one, the other is a Propride. It's become so easy now that I don't ever think about towing while towing. Just food for thought.

[RGene7001]

I agree with what was said. Trailer should be slightly nose down and extra water may help if the tank is located upfront which should be assumed.
You did not mention if you have a sway control, you need one.
On the other hand, mild push/pull sensation from big rigs is expected although in my case it takes a really boxy truck going really fast and close to produce one. And I would not expect much fun from tropical storm winds but 20-25 mph should not be felt too bad

[kguess]

Yes, I have a sway friction control bar and my fresh water tank is in front of axels (tandem wheels). I will look into a different hitch if water or shank doesn't help.

[Desert185]

I would fill the fresh water tank and tow it again. If the "waggle" is gone you found the problem. Everytime I've experienced a waggle with any kind of trailer, it has been because the loading was biased too far aft.

If this cures it and you don't want to haul around a lot of water, experiment with just half a tank of water and see how that goes, but I would try a full tank first for the maximum result.

Besides the LT tires mentioned, the addition of a rear anti-sway bar provides a bit more stability, too.