gates59
Sudbury Ontario
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I just bought a new KZ hybrid 19 feet long and pulling it with my gmc canyon. I'm using a torsion system and a sway bar. My question is I find when I drive 80 km an hour or more and I make a somewhat sharp corner, it feels like my truck back end wants to slide for some reason. I can't see how it can thought but I realy get nervous because of the weird feeling I get. Does anyone else get that when they first started out using a sway bar system. I also tried it without the sway bar and still get that feeling.
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GeoMiklas
Mercer, PA - Intersection of I-79 and I-80
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gates59 wrote:I just bought a new KZ hybrid 19 feet long and pulling it with my gmc canyon. I'm using a torsion system and a sway bar. My question is I find when I drive 80 km an hour or more and I make a somewhat sharp corner, it feels like my truck back end wants to slide for some reason. I can't see how it can thought but I realy get nervous because of the weird feeling I get. Does anyone else get that when they first started out using a sway bar system. I also tried it without the sway bar and still get that feeling.
If you have the WD set really high, then this takes weight off of your drive axle. This is consistent with the "slide" that you feel.
Try lowing the chains one link and try cornering again. If you still get the feel, then lower it two links.
George
2009 Palomino Stampede S-195 SD, 2001 Ford E-350 Chateau, 5.4L, 4R70W, 3.73:1
NorthEastern OH / Western PA Have Harmonica, Will Travel!
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gates59
Sudbury Ontario
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I don't think it is set too high. My truck does not sit level the way I have it now but I will try it. Any lower and I think it might not do anything at all. My truck does not lower very much not using it at all. I just have it set up the way my dealer told me to do it. I will have to wait a couple of weeks until my next trip to see if that works. I hope someone else has an opinion on this. Not saying the advice is no good, just would like to know from someone else that has experienced the same as me.
Ok well I just backed up to my camper and mesured the ball hight before and then after my old setup and they were the same. Then one link down and it is one inch lower. Is that ok. My truck and camper were not on a perfect level but kind of close. Also my dealer did not realy explain how to properly use my sway bar. I have only one on one side and it is the type that you spin a lever around until tight. How tight is too tight. Does not explain in manual. THNX.
* This post was
edited 07/21/10 06:50am by gates59 *
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Jerry9n
SE Michigan
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There is a good thread HERE on leveling and hitches with quite a bit of information as well as theory. Might want to browse through it as well as the original manufacturer's instructions on the hitch. (If you don't have them, most can be downloaded).
Jerry9n
2009 23' Cikira Escape EXP
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Chuck_S
Broadview Hts, OH, USA
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If you're using one of the 1930s technology sliding friction anti-sway bars it may be hitting the stops at it's limit of travel and preventing any further angular movement. This will eventually damage the tow vehicle, hitch, or trailer.
-- Chuck
'06 Roo 23SS behind '07 Expedition out of Cleveland
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gates59
Sudbury Ontario
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I'm using a new pro series trunnion series hitch. I'm just reading on how to properly setup. I don't have the manual for it.
OK now I checked my trailer on a flat surface and did some mesurements. The way I had it set up in the firt place is the trailer is 3 in higher in the back than the front. The hight difference in the front before and after is 1/16 lower and the rear is 3/4 in lower and I found the head is tilted up. I guess this means I need to raise the head up and tilt back a bit. I did pay my dealer to do this but they have no clue what they are doing there.
Now does this sound like this is my problem I was originaly talking about.
* This post was
edited 07/21/10 08:41am by gates59 *
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Mountain Lover
Waynesville, NC
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gates59 wrote:I don't think it is set too high. My truck does not sit level the way I have it now but I will try it. Any lower and I think it might not do anything at all. My truck does not lower very much not using it at all. I just have it set up the way my dealer told me to do it. I will have to wait a couple of weeks until my next trip to see if that works. I hope someone else has an opinion on this. Not saying the advice is no good, just would like to know from someone else that has experienced the same as me.
Ok well I just backed up to my camper and mesured the ball hight before and then after my old setup and they were the same. Then one link down and it is one inch lower. Is that ok. My truck and camper were not on a perfect level but kind of close. Also my dealer did not realy explain how to properly use my sway bar. I have only one on one side and it is the type that you spin a lever around until tight. How tight is too tight. Does not explain in manual. THNX.
To answer your sway bar question, tight is as tight as you can get it without using undue force or leverage. If it is not completely tight it will not work. You will hear an annoying "grunting" from the sway bar on turns when it is property tightened. This is normal. Also you need to remove the sway bar when backing or making a very tight turn.
Good luck and happy camping.
Mountain Lover
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Chuck_S
Broadview Hts, OH, USA
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You should be able to download the instruction manual.
If there's a separate sliding "sway bar" with a handle on it note that sharp turns will cause it to strike the stops. Jackknifing when backing is easy to do and can cause real damage, hence the requirement to remove it when backing. There are much better systems.
-- Chuck
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gates59
Sudbury Ontario
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OK well I got the trailer all level when all hooked up. The front of the truck is 1/4in lower and the rear is 3/4in lower. That sounds ok to me. Close enought. The main thing is the trailer is level. Now what I had to do is the L shaped reciever in now pointing upwards instead of downwards. I'm guessing it is ok. That is the only way to bring up the head. I have not went for a drive on the highway to see if the rear of my truck still feels like it wants to give way. That may be just in my head. Thanks for the reply's. Hope someone can tell me if it is ok about the reciever the way I have it.
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BarneyS
S.E. Lower Michigan
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The shank can be pointed either up or down. It does not matter which way you have it as long as the trailer is level. The receiver is the square tube that is permanently attached to the truck and the shank inserts into it with the hitch head attached.
Barney
2004 Sunnybrook 30FKS TT
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