As you recall, I was towing my other boat (the Scout) the first time around when all heck broke loose and I thought that I was going to jack-knife.
I towed the Sea Ray this weekend on a 250 mile round trip which was mostly freeway with some foothill driving as well. After I inflated all four tires up to the max rated of 85 lbs., I noticed very little sway around town and at normal speeds. But there still is sway. My '01 with the 4" lift and 305 tires did not sway at all. It was rock-solid. There was a light (traffic wise) section of straight-away freeway on the way home, and since it seemed safe to try, I increased my speed to 70-75 MPH. Look out...the boat/trailer swayed back and forth to the point that the kids noticed and asked what was wrong with the trailer. I immediately slowed down to about 60 and things settled down.
I wasn't planning on putting a lift on this EX, but it seems like I am going to have to if I want a competent (and safe) ride.
Is there anything that the Ford dealer can do for me? Fix something that "aint broke"? I'm sure that they will just give me "the look" and/or the "wooden Indian".
Any other suggestions??? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]
I sure miss my '01 (already). [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img]
Guess I'm all out as far as your truck, I'd look to the trailer. Proper wieght distribution on your trailer needs to be looked at too. I towed 4 quads 1200 miles this weekend at speeds up to 80 and never had one bit of sway all with stock setup and 80psi. The only time I've ever had sway towing is when I had too much weight forward on the tongue. I rolled the 2 rear quads back about 6" and it took care of the sway. With your old truck, was your tongue of the trailer up cause of your lift a bit? If it was, could it of given enough weight transfer to the back of your trailer and off the tongue to achieve proper distribution. Just another area to look into for ya
__________________
2005 Excursion Limited 4X4 diesel and loaded
4" superlift, Nitto Terra Grapplers 315/75R16
I have an '05 Ex and believe the towing can be improved. Im pulling a 7500lb boat but dont see it as bad as you describe.
Look at the trailer closely. As said in the last two posts, toungue height is very important with a dual axle trailer espescially if you have torsion axles. If your a few inches high or low your trying to lift one of the axles off the ground and it could greatly affect you toungue weight.
Ive pulled my boat 600mls last weekend at speeds you shouldnt pull a 7500+ trailer [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/phoney.gif[/img] so Im not having the same problems you are. Breaking can get a bit hairy if you have to hit them quick and dont let the truck set up. Im thinking this is mainly a tire issue. There is also alot more sag with the Ex than I was expecting, for this Im going to add air bags. Hellwig swaybars are also going in to make things a bit more rigid.
Ill keep you updated on how my upgrades go as well as keep an eye on this thread to see what others find.
[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smokin.gif[/img]
Yep, 7500# Searay for me too but it tows fine at all speeds that I've been at. I do have the 30mm bar coming and hope it makes the ride even better, but honestly it tows fine.
I'll go back and restate and agree, somehting must have changed with tongue weight or hieght. Seems like the tongue hieght could have been lowered? I assume you changed ball mounts and aren't using the one from ther lifted Ex.
__________________ 2004 EB Excursion, 4x4, 6.0, everything but step tubes and 2nd row chairs, Magnaflow Exhaust, Isspro Gauges in an under cubby pod, Fumoto sitting on V Codes and Revo 285's.
"Treat me good, I'll treat you better; treat me bad, I'll treat you worse." - Sonny Barger
Yep, I changed ball mounts from a 4" drop to a zero inch drop. It is within one inch of the previous height. The trailer is sitting as level as I could say that it could get. Both tires appear to be under the same amount of tension, and they are level with the fender (if that makes sense). The Scout's trailer is torsion axle, while the Sea Ray is leaf springs.
Both boats have welded bow stands, and they are both fully seated to the front of the trailer. The load in each one is pretty much the same, half tank of fuel, same gear as usual, etc...
I'm taking the Scout out fishing this weekend, so I'll see how it is with the tires inflated to the max pressure.
I tow a 2 horse trailer. Loaded up it weighs 7500#. Never swayed at up to 75 mph on both stock BF Goodrich and 20" 305/50 Nittos. Weight distribution is important. Maybe you can find someone in your area with X and trailer they tow without problems...then switch trailers and see if you can pull theirs and they can pull yours without problems. This could begin to eliminate variables and focus on cause.
This is odd. The new Ex. is a 4x4 also right? So nothing major has changed like coil fronts if it's a 2 WD?
And does it have the trailer tow group with rear stabilizer bar?
__________________ 2004 EB Excursion, 4x4, 6.0, everything but step tubes and 2nd row chairs, Magnaflow Exhaust, Isspro Gauges in an under cubby pod, Fumoto sitting on V Codes and Revo 285's.
"Treat me good, I'll treat you better; treat me bad, I'll treat you worse." - Sonny Barger
[ QUOTE ]
Well, we made it back from the lake in one piece.
As you recall, I was towing my other boat (the Scout) the first time around when all heck broke loose and I thought that I was going to jack-knife.
I towed the Sea Ray this weekend on a 250 mile round trip which was mostly freeway with some foothill driving as well. After I inflated all four tires up to the max rated of 85 lbs., I noticed very little sway around town and at normal speeds. But there still is sway. My '01 with the 4" lift and 305 tires did not sway at all. It was rock-solid. There was a light (traffic wise) section of straight-away freeway on the way home, and since it seemed safe to try, I increased my speed to 70-75 MPH. Look out...the boat/trailer swayed back and forth to the point that the kids noticed and asked what was wrong with the trailer. I immediately slowed down to about 60 and things settled down.
I wasn't planning on putting a lift on this EX, but it seems like I am going to have to if I want a competent (and safe) ride.
Is there anything that the Ford dealer can do for me? Fix something that "aint broke"? I'm sure that they will just give me "the look" and/or the "wooden Indian".
Any other suggestions??? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]
I sure miss my '01 (already). [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img]
[/ QUOTE ]
Well, i was just getting ready to say that you needed to check the alignmnt on the trailer axles on your Scout (yes, there is such a thing) until you say that it happened with your other trailer as well.
i do not have any constructive ideas, other than to say that next time this happens, just manually engage the trailer brakes while accelerating slightly with the truck, and it will smooth right out. That is to say, unless you don't have electric brakes. If you have surge brakes, then the LAST thing I would do is slow down like you described. Try gassing it a little to see if it will straighten out, then slow down. Slowing down or braking in a sway situation can result in a net worsening of the situation...
__________________
'99.5 PSD 6 SPD 4x4 Extended Cab long Box F-350
AFe Stage 1 intake, Marinco Block Htr Plug Mod., Hutch in-Tank Pickup Mod, $10 AIC, Walker BTM, Edge Juice with Attitude, and that is all, FOR NOW!!! Next mod = Regulated Return???
Old Truck - '95 PSD 5 spd 4x4
Haulin' a 11.5' camper, an '85 Bayliner Capri 20' boat w/ Chevy 350, and a flatbed w/ two big quads.
2004 Grizzly 660 Yamaha (For Me)
2004 Polaris 500 HO (For the Wife)
Spokane, WA
"I don't ride bulls, but I have fought some men" Hank Williams, Jr.
"Sie vie pacem, para bellum" (if you want peace, first prepare for war...)
[ QUOTE ]
other than to say that next time this happens, just manually engage the trailer brakes while accelerating slightly with the truck, and it will smooth right out.
[/ QUOTE ]
I honestly believe doing exactly this is what saved my rig a few months ago. Just when I thought I was going to completely lose it, I remembered seeing this advice on another board and figured I had nothing else to lose at that point. Sure enough, it straightened things out enough that I was able to regain control, slow down and get over to the side of the road.
__________________
06 F250 Crew Cab LB V-10 4x4
99-122 Bright Atlantic Blue S-281 S/C Convertible
Factory Five Daytona Coupe #139
Although there is an electric ovver hydrolic system for boat trailers, I have never heard of anyone converting, but in this case, I'm 99.9% it's standard surge.
I'd want to find out what it is. That just doesn't sound right. Mines stock (suspension) and tows great at all speeds and it's about the same as his heavier boat.
__________________ 2004 EB Excursion, 4x4, 6.0, everything but step tubes and 2nd row chairs, Magnaflow Exhaust, Isspro Gauges in an under cubby pod, Fumoto sitting on V Codes and Revo 285's.
"Treat me good, I'll treat you better; treat me bad, I'll treat you worse." - Sonny Barger
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