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Travel Trailer Towing Problems

lw0023

By lw0023
in Ask A GM Technician

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lw0023 New Member

lw0023

Posted
Posted

i have a 2008 GMC Sierra extended cab with factory towing package. Am pulling a 28 Foot Feather Lite JAYCO trailer that weighs about 5500# dry and I have a maximum of 1000 pounds on it. Have equalizer and sway control hitch. Everthing seems to be hooked up ok and trailer is level and pulls rather easily. However when at high way speeds the pickup reqires constant steering to keep it "smooth' -- it wants to migrate side to side. Any ideas.

dlstewart01 Senior Enthusiast

dlstewart01

Posted
Posted

Not enough tongue weight, weight distributing hitch not set up properly, or one of the trailer axles is out of alignment. I have heard of the axle problem coming from the factory. usually there is abnormal tire ware.

 

I would bet on one of the first two...especially the hitch not being set up properly, sounds like the front wheels of the truck are not being loaded enough. Check the front fender well height un hooked and hooked up to the trailer with a full load. Equalizer says that the height should be the same or not more that 1/2 inch higher.

mc7719 Enthusiast

mc7719

Posted
Posted
Not enough tongue weight, weight distributing hitch not set up properly, or one of the trailer axles is out of alignment. I have heard of the axle problem coming from the factory. usually there is abnormal tire ware.

 

I would bet on one of the first two...especially the hitch not being set up properly, sounds like the front wheels of the truck are not being loaded enough. Check the front fender well height un hooked and hooked up to the trailer with a full load. Equalizer says that the height should be the same or not more that 1/2 inch higher.

 

Agree with above, #1 and #2 probably.

 

I tow a 29' dual-axle travel trailer, with the same hitch set up, sway bars, etc. About the same weight too... and no problems. (2008 SLT w/ towing package, elec brake, etc.)

ajcain79 Enthusiast

ajcain79

Posted
Posted

My trailer is of similar size and weight as yours. I also use an Equ-l-izer hitch with the 1000# bars. My rig tows effortlessly. My guess is that you have a problem with not enough tongue weight and/or not enough weight distribution to the front axle. The tongue weight should be 800-1000 pounds idealy. The weight on your front axles should be roughly the same as when the trailer isn't hooked up. My tongue weight is 900# and my front axle is only 140# heavier when the trailer is hooked up.

You can usually weigh your rig at a truck stop. It costs me $9 to weigh at the Flying-J near my house and that's for two passes. One with the trailer hooked up and one without.

  • 2 weeks later...
fatchysc Enthusiast

fatchysc

Posted
Posted
i have a 2008 GMC Sierra extended cab with factory towing package. Am pulling a 28 Foot Feather Lite JAYCO trailer that weighs about 5500# dry and I have a maximum of 1000 pounds on it. Have equalizer and sway control hitch. Everthing seems to be hooked up ok and trailer is level and pulls rather easily. However when at high way speeds the pickup reqires constant steering to keep it "smooth' -- it wants to migrate side to side. Any ideas.

I agree with not enough tongue weight. I have an 08 crew cab with the factory tow package towing a 21' travel trailer. It is amazing the difference 1 link up or down on the chain for the stabilizer bars will make.

music Senior Enthusiast

music

Posted
Posted

++1 on tongue weight. I tow a 7k lb camper w/ over 1000 lbs on the hitch before connecting the WD bars (~900+ lbs on the truck w/ the WD bars). It pulls very smooth and stable and is maybe ~0.5" lower in the rear than front w/ 1200 lb WD bars. Can't overemphasize tongue weight and WD system enough.

Zembonez Senior Enthusiast

Zembonez

Posted
Posted

This could be as simple as underinflated tires on the tow rig. When towing heavy do you add air to the tires?

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