I rented a U-Haul trailer to tow our latest project back to NJ from SC. I've used these trailers several times in the past without any issues, with the same tow vehicle (my '07 Avalanche) and cars that are a similar weight.
This trip was about 700-miles each way. So you could imagine my panic when I loaded up and got on the highway and the thing was swaying all over the place. I was not looking forward to a white-knuckle, 14-hour ride home. I made it, but I'm looking for some insight to avoid this in the future.
Max towing capacity is 8,000 lbs. on the Avalanche. U-Haul trailer weighs 2,200 lbs. The car's (1964 Impala wagon) "shipping weight" is 3,900 lbs. That's 6,100 lbs. total. The wheelbase of the car was pretty much as long as the trailer, with a significant amount of overhang out over the back of the trailer (I'd say 3-4 feet). I'm thinking this might have been part of the problem.
Upon accelerating onto the highway the first time, it started swaying at around 55 MPH. It got worse and worse so I let up on the gas (did not apply brakes) and let it coast until it was under control. I slowly accelerated to 50 MPH where it seemed okay. On the flats and uphill it seemed okay, but going downhill it would start to sway pretty bad above 55 MPH. I got off on the next exit.
I remembered reading here (I think) that increasing the tongue weight can help. I took the spare out of the back of the wagon (even though it only weighs like 50 lbs) and put it in my truck. Even though the trailer and truck were level (I have a drop hitch), I pulled the fuse for the auto-level suspension and let it drop a bit hoping for more weight on the tongue. That seemed to help a lot, but it was still pretty sketchy.
My dad commented that the tongue on the trailer seemed to be unusually long - and it was. It had the trailer probably 4-5 feet behind the truck. Not sure if that's a factor or not.
We stopped for the night after about 8 hours. My nerves were frayed.
For the last leg of the trip, I tightened up the surge brake on the trailer so that it would engage earlier. I made sure it was still free at a stop. This seemed to make a huge difference - the rest of the ride home was pretty good. Going down hills the surge brake would seem to kick in and keep the sway under control, or if I braked slightly the surge brake would immediately correct the sway (I know you're not supposed to brake). Trucks passing would upset it a bit, but that's to be expected.
Any guesses as to what the issue was here? I know it's not a lot go to on, but it's really shaken my confidence in towing with these trailers.
This trip was about 700-miles each way. So you could imagine my panic when I loaded up and got on the highway and the thing was swaying all over the place. I was not looking forward to a white-knuckle, 14-hour ride home. I made it, but I'm looking for some insight to avoid this in the future.
Max towing capacity is 8,000 lbs. on the Avalanche. U-Haul trailer weighs 2,200 lbs. The car's (1964 Impala wagon) "shipping weight" is 3,900 lbs. That's 6,100 lbs. total. The wheelbase of the car was pretty much as long as the trailer, with a significant amount of overhang out over the back of the trailer (I'd say 3-4 feet). I'm thinking this might have been part of the problem.
Upon accelerating onto the highway the first time, it started swaying at around 55 MPH. It got worse and worse so I let up on the gas (did not apply brakes) and let it coast until it was under control. I slowly accelerated to 50 MPH where it seemed okay. On the flats and uphill it seemed okay, but going downhill it would start to sway pretty bad above 55 MPH. I got off on the next exit.
I remembered reading here (I think) that increasing the tongue weight can help. I took the spare out of the back of the wagon (even though it only weighs like 50 lbs) and put it in my truck. Even though the trailer and truck were level (I have a drop hitch), I pulled the fuse for the auto-level suspension and let it drop a bit hoping for more weight on the tongue. That seemed to help a lot, but it was still pretty sketchy.
My dad commented that the tongue on the trailer seemed to be unusually long - and it was. It had the trailer probably 4-5 feet behind the truck. Not sure if that's a factor or not.
We stopped for the night after about 8 hours. My nerves were frayed.
For the last leg of the trip, I tightened up the surge brake on the trailer so that it would engage earlier. I made sure it was still free at a stop. This seemed to make a huge difference - the rest of the ride home was pretty good. Going down hills the surge brake would seem to kick in and keep the sway under control, or if I braked slightly the surge brake would immediately correct the sway (I know you're not supposed to brake). Trucks passing would upset it a bit, but that's to be expected.
Any guesses as to what the issue was here? I know it's not a lot go to on, but it's really shaken my confidence in towing with these trailers.
mowermech wrote:
It may seem like a dumb question, but that "project" did have an engine in it, didn't it?
If not, there's your problem!
Yes it did - a 327! Drove it on and off the trailer ๐
bikendan wrote:turbojimmy wrote:
Max towing capacity is 8,000 lbs. on the Avalanche.
assuming you have the 5.3 engine, what rear end ratio do you have?
my 2007 has the factory tow package, with the 3.73 rear end and its max towing capacity is 7200lbs.
unless you have the 4.10, don't think yours has 8000lbs. towing.
You're right - I tried to recall from memory and failed. I have the 5.3 as well with the tow package (3.73s). It is indeed 7,200.
And yes, in hindsight I should have moved more stuff to the front of the trailer rather than the bed of the truck. I did have a tool box with me, and the spare could have gone up there too. Since I didn't know the cause at the time it didn't occur to me.
This is great info for next time - I appreciate it.
I did find a better picture and it has equalizing axles. Putting the tire on the front of the trailer would help more than in the back of the truck.
I cannot tell if there is a equalizing arm between the tires. If not then lowering would make it worse. The trailer is too short for the load especially because it is a wagon.
Sprink-Fitter wrote:
I think I would have backed it on the trailer.
U-Haul said specifically not to do that. But in this case it might have helped? Dunno. The bulk of the weight should still be up front tho, right?
EDIT: And for perspective, the first pic is when I got it home. See how much lower the rear is than in the 2nd pic when I first loaded it up. The suspension had pumped up and the tongue was much higher.
My dad doesn't believe that dropping the rear of the truck shifted weight to the tongue. It has to, right?
Thanks all. Here are a couple of pics:
See how long the tongue is? Is that a factor. You can see the overhang, too. I was happy to get everything and everyone home in one piece!
See how long the tongue is? Is that a factor. You can see the overhang, too. I was happy to get everything and everyone home in one piece!
I have a tilting car trailer that wants to sway, even empty. It has torque flex axles (non equalizing) and I' ve learned to use a raised ball (trailer higher in the front) so more weight is on the rear axle which results in more tongue weight and no sway. Have to do the same on a 31' Airstream with torque flex axles. I've thought about lowering the rear axle 1/2" so I can keep it lever.
