trailor sway

[EverettWV]

It seems like when we load our trailor with firewood, it likes to sway anywhere past 60 mph. It does not sway with any other load we've had on it, and if i am remembering right it doesn't sway on my dads sd with firewood. I am wondering what could be causeing it to sway on my truck. My dad had an idea that air goes through the wood lifting it some and causeing swaying. If this is it would covering it work? Or would adding some weight (wood) in the bed help some? Or is it the way we loaded the trailor? I just can't figure out why it does it. It gets annoying since, i can get above 60 sometimes but when i hit a bump in the road, it starts swaying. Here are some pics

[bigd4me2]

cheapest= reese sway bar, but it looks like you would need a different slider in your receiver. read directions, and try not to back up with the friction sway bar in place, they remove in 2 seconds!

the better choice, is more costly, a weight distribution hitch, with the proper slider in your receiver.

[fishslayer]

try stacking the load so it is not behind the trailer axles, this should add tongue weight.

[TANK'S 250]

Originally Posted by fishslayer

try stacking the load so it is not behind the trailer axles, this should add tongue weight.

Exactly.....a lot of people don't know.

Atleast 55% of your load should be towards the tongue(past the center point of the trailer axle)....if not...it sways..that is what causes it.

[389SixPack]

Just looking at the pics of your trailer. Axles are too far forward. Yes, you need a lot more weight on the front. 8 to 10% of total GVWR should be on the tongue for stability. Generally, in trailer design, the front edge of the front tire will be about the centerline of the load area of the trailer. From the pics, your front axle looks like it is ahead of the centerline. Stack it high in the front or pull some off the back.

[crowz]

Thats one high sitting trailer too. My car hauler which looks similar sits a bunch lower than that plus the axles are a good bit further back. You will need to load it down on the front pretty heavy for sure like everyone said.

[EverettWV]

Thanks all, I will try loading more on the front next time.

Originally Posted by crowz

Thats one high sitting trailer too.

Do you mean the front of the trailor is to high? I noticed on my dad's truck the hitch sits about 2-3 inches lower so maybe thats why it doesn't sway on his. Of course his is a f-350 and cc so that helps some.

[crowz]

I mean its got more ground clearance than most 4x4's running around here

When you stick something that high in the air it has a tendancy to sway. You might consider some kind of sway bars as high as it sits.

[99F250Smitty]

Definately need more weight towards the front of the trailer, the axles are to far forward. You have alot of weight on the tail end with those ramps and the wood. That will cause the sway.

[EverettWV]

Originally Posted by crowz

I mean its got more ground clearance than most 4x4's running around here

When you stick something that high in the air it has a tendancy to sway. You might consider some kind of sway bars as high as it sits.

lol, yes the trailer is high and i wish the ramps a little longer so it wouldn't be as sharp as an angle when loading but it does the job. My dad had someone make the trailer for him back in 94. I know with his old truck (94 f250 sc lb, gas) with trailer with our international 674 tractor on it, it never swayed. I never remember haulin wood with it though.

As for sway bars, i think i will try loading it different first. We only have about 2-4 loads a year of wood. And so far, firewood is the only thing that makes it sway.