Every trailers axles seem to be in different locations that’s what makes one of the biggest differences in money well spent or wasted on cheaper models. Can say our legend has good amount of tongue weight empty and my crew f250 I like the air bags for this reason if totally load it cus the axles are so far back so lots of weight on the tongue. Can’t really load the trailer like do a work trailer and put the weight on the trailer and control the load.
Truck towing question
- Thread starter Wong
- Start date
Looking at some of the responses, I have a question, I have been towing trailers pretty much all of my driving life, however this is my first 24' enclosed trailer or as I gather from some of the posts a 24' "wind sail" . I will be towing it with a 1 ton diesel truck with probably around 300 lbs of counterweight in it as I plow snow. Someone had mentioned sway bar links to help be more stable towing in windy conditions or when being passed by semis. the biggest thing I tow up to this is my boat which is 26' and its only for a few miles and back to the big pond. just a little concerned as this sounds like it may be a whole new towing experience, as too when heading up north you cross numerous bridges that have high wind and ice warnings. Don't want to be white knuckled, shi**ing bricks or watching my life pass in front of my eyes. Do I have enough truck weight or would stabilizer links be a good idea
You should have no problem as long as you load properly. That is as proper tongue weight, load position, and trailer leveled.
Thanks old abe I appreciate that, and yes know all about load position, level and weight, as I am always on my employees when they load our shop trailer, truck has a couple battle scars from improper trailer etiquette, and not by my hands. Just wanted someone elses input, Again.. THANK YOU! I appreciate it
Your truck is more than adequate.
firefighter1
Member
Euphoric1, I have been towing enclosed trailers for the past 5 seasons and while that isn’t a lot of time I have never experienced any of the issues that have been talked about. I may have just been lucky so far or as someone states about axles being located in different spots on certain trailers maybe that makes a difference also. I have felt wind push the trailer but that wind also pushes just my truck. I do know if you put most of your weight behind the axle you will have problems. I hope I do not experience the things talked about on here either. I also have heard some trailer companies install the axles further towards the rear of the trailer and that may make a huge difference in towing. I am interested in hearing peoples therories on why these towing issues happen so we can all learn and be safer on the roads.
harski
Member
I have a few miles under my belt towing a 25'+ trailer (6 1/2' height) with both a 1/2 and 3/4 ton and no sway bars. There is a difference between the truck no doubt between power, weight capability and feel. The crosswind will mess with you no matter what you're driving but you'll be a little more comfortable with the 1 ton for sure than say a 1/2 ton. As you already know, a big thing too is speed, the faster you go the less control you'll have of your equipment (stopping and sway). If you're doing 80 and passing a semi doing 65-70 (or visa versa), you'll get bucked around a bit more than doing a similar speed as the wind getting pushed off the semi onto your v-nose hits a lot harder causing the sway. I'm back down to a half ton myself and it's not often I'm white knuckled other than on ice. There have been windy days where I'm fighting a bit but nothing that make me to concerned. I just try to slow down a bit to compensate for what I feel my equipment can safely handle. So, in summary, sway control bars are a preference based IMO. If you want little more comfort in knowing your trailer is stable, put them on. You may just want to wait too until after a run or two up north to see how it handles before flipping the bill on a sway bar hitch if you don't already have one.
Harski