[A/S] Towing Troubles

["Jim Whitworth" <whitsend@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Hello folks. A friend & I are experiencing some towing troubles with our
Airstreams and I'm hoping the good folks on this List will have some
suggestions. The problem can best be described as "trailer bounce" - similar
to pulling a stock trailer and feeling the cattle moving about in the
trailer.

The background starts with my saying that I had absolutely no problems
towing my first Airstream, a 28 ft. Safari - she towed like a dream behind
my 2002 F250 PSD. I've even admitted to finding myself going WAY too fast on
the Interstates and having to pull the speed down to a more manageable 60
mph. But the Safari gave me no sway or bounce problems whatsoever (other
than those you'd normally expect and deal with when an 18 wheeler passes you
by). I then moved up to a 30 ft. Classic and took her on a short trip from
central Texas to Oklahoma City. This new trailer felt MUCH MORE effected by
side winds and the pull of the passing 18 wheelers, leaving me doing a lot
of unexpected white knuckle driving. My main problem though is that she
seems to "bounce about" on the hitch, again, feeling like a horse or cattle
trailer with the stock moving about. I have to admit I don't use the sway
bar because it limits my turning radius and I usually forget it's there when
I try to park the trailer. Having said that, my problem is not sway in the
trailer, more of a bouncing thing. I have an EZ Lift equalizing hitch
installed by the Airstream dealer. A friend in my local WBCCI unit has
recently purchased a new 30 ft. Classic Limited (no slide) and he is
experiencing the same towing problems - trailer bounce. He is now trying two
sway bars on his hitch. I should add that he is pulling with an '04 Dodge
3/4 ton diesel. His tongue weight was tested at a Texas State Highway Patrol
weigh station to be 940 lbs. He has ordered the Reese hitch assembly,
complete with the dual cam high performance sway control in an effort to
combat this uncomfortable "bounce about" tow situation. I might add that
this friend is an old time Airstreamer & WBCCI unit officer (i.e.,
experienced at pulling large Airstreams) and has towed his trailers all over
the USA - and he still can not figure out where the problems are and what
the real solution might be.

We'd appreciate your input & ideas.

Jim Whitworth