[A/S] Re: tow vehicle wants to drift at times when hitched

["overlander_64" <overlander64@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Greetings Jack!

I can think of a number of possibilities and one of them was 
mentioned by Craig in his post -- tires on the tow vehicle.  Both 
load range and type came to mind for me -- LT tires of the standard 
profile corrected much (but not all) of a similar problem that I had 
with my K1500 Z-71 pickup when it was mated to my '64 Overlander.  I 
switched from the stock GoodYear Wranglers to GoodYear Workhorse LT 
Radials, and the difference was remarkable both in tracking as well 
as in improved ride of the truck when solo.

The second issue that I suspect may be causing part of your trouble 
is what has been referred to as "over-hitching".  With the stiff 
suspension that I suspect is virtually standard on the Avalanche, 
you may need a different set of weight distributing bars 
particularly if you have a Reese Strait-Line Hitch with Dual Cam 
Sway Control.  With my previously mentioned Z-71/Overlander 
combination, I down-graded from 800 pound weight distribution bars 
to 600 pound weight distribution bars for my coach with its 775 
pound gross hitch weight.  Hitch adjustment can also play some role 
in this problem as the hitch head angle was also adjusted very 
slightly when the weight distribution bars were changed.

It was the combination of the revised weight distribution bars and 
the tire change on the tow vehicle that solved the vast majority of 
the tracking issues when towing my Overlander with the K1500 Z-71.  
My final solution to the problem was upgrading to a K2500 Suburban.

Good luck in resolving your rigs wandering issue!

Kevin D. Allen
WBCCI/VAC/Free Wheelers/Computer Club #6359
1964 Overlander International/1999 GMC K2500 Suburban (7400 
VORTEC/4.10 Differentials)
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre/1975 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible (8.2 
Liter V8/2.70 Final Drive)