2016 GMC 2500HD

farmboycitygirl22 · February 2, 2016

We just purchased a 2016 GMC sierra 2500HD 4x4. We will use this truck for farm chores as well as hauling our travel trailer to farm events.

This past weekend I installed a weight distribution/anti sway hitch (Fastway e2 10,000 lb). It took a couple of hours to get it adjusted from the settings on our 2004 Tahoe but everything was setup according to the instructions. Our travel trailer weights about 9000 lbs fully loaded. It was all our Tahoe wanted to pull on a level road and without shifting all the time when a hill was in our path the engine RPM would be around 4k. No sway at all with this configuration.

I wanted to test so we drove it about 15 miles with the hitch all connected and it felt like I was driving on marbles at 60 miles per hour. So I thought let see what happens if I take off the weight distribution hitch and just connect it. It made no difference at all. So I went home and readjusted the hitch and went for another test drive. Still feels like I am driving on marbles not good at all. I do not see the trailer sway it is the truck swaying. Since this truck is rated to pull 14,500 lbs I am totally confused.

I have front sway control bar on my new truck but not rear sway control, my question is do you think a rear sway control on the truck will make any difference.

The interesting part is this worked fine with our Tahoe that does have a front and rear sway bar unlike the truck.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Gary

newdude · February 2, 2016

Front end at stock ride height (did you level the truck at all)? What wheels and factory tires did it come with? Tire pressures set properly to the spec on the door jamb?

farmboycitygirl22 · February 2, 2016

I have the stock Firestone tires 245x75x17 load range E - Tire inflation 80 pounds the recommended PSI. Trailer tires are inflated to 65 pounds the recommended PSI - When I installed the fastway hitich the truck lowered 3/4 inch in the back and raised the front of the truck 1/4 of an inch.

nekkidhillbilly · February 3, 2016

im not understanding marbles is it like your bucking slightly. maybe to much or to little tounge weight. trailer may be unbalanced.

farmboycitygirl22 · February 3, 2016

here is an example - when I tried to get on to the highway from the on ramp, where the on ramp concrete meets the highway concrete the truck would not go over that line until I turned the steering wheel hard - the truck started following the concrete line instead of going over it.

Like I said above if it was the trailer our Tahoe would do the same thing.

Chevor · February 3, 2016

Haven't you pulled with new tires before? Deep tread sucks.

Not to mention those tires are 5 rib light van tire. Cheapest tire GM puts on.

nekkidhillbilly · February 4, 2016

im thinking 10 ply vs softer 6 ply also

farmboycitygirl22 · February 4, 2016

Since I pulled the same trailer with a Tahoe with cheaper general tires load range 'D' and had no problems at all you would think brand new Firestone tires load range E with less than a thousand miles on them would pull the trailer with no problems. I also had a Chevrolet 2500 Silverado that had the exact same tires never had one problem pulling a bumper hitch trailer at all. The one major difference is the Chevy had a rear sway bar and the GMC doesn't.

I think I will go purchase a rear sway bar and see what happens.

Chevor · February 4, 2016

I recommend you try pulling with 2 worn tires on the rear of truck.

BlackZ71Silverado · February 6, 2016

Front sway control bar....what is that, something purchaded aftermarket?

I also don't understand the marble reference, I got confused reading your post.

Try towing without the weight distribution hitch. Your new truck has a heavier suspension than the tahoe and it seems like you are not doing the suspension any favors using that hitch.

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farmboycitygirl22 · February 23, 2016

This is what I mean by 'marbles' - it basically feels like the truck is running on four under inflated tires. The truck moves all over the place when towing a bumper hitch trailer it is not stable at all. According to the sticker on the the drivers side door the front tires are supposed to be at 60 PSI and the rear tires are supposed to be at 80 PSI both cold readings according to the tire pressure monitor all are correct.

The front anti sway bar came on my truck as standard equipment I have not put anything after market on my new truck (yet).

I removed the weight distribution / Anit Sway hitch and it made it worse.

I have not had a chance to change tires as I just got the truck back after a week in the dealership getting the 4 wheel drive fixed.

nekkidhillbilly · February 24, 2016

sounds like a tire issue like flat spots or broken belts

royg6677 · February 26, 2016

farmboycitygirl22

Do you have the nose of the trailer lower that the rear of the trailer (Needs to be like this)? Almost sounds like that you do not have enough tongue weight.