Lateral instability while towing

[john Robb]

I had a 2017 2500 diesel that was totaled and I replaced it with a new 2018 2500 diesel but the new truck has rear air suspension and all season tires and tonneau cover. Towing with the new truck the same 9000 lb camper has me fighting a near constant lateral instability. Is the problem with my air suspension or possibly the brand new all season tires?? Anybody else out there ever experience this?? Thanks!

 

[Raymillsus]

Look into Road master RAS system. It is an amazing product. If I did not have a Dually I would have them instead of airbags Hands down. Not even a question.

 

[mtnrider]

Look into Road master RAS system. It is an amazing product. If I did not have a Dually I would have them instead of airbags Hands down. Not even a question.

They don't have products for 2015 and up 2500's. They went to coil springs (or air) in 2015 so no leaf springs


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[Tumbleweed]

Firstly, make sure everything is tight. All the bolts on the track bar and sway bar end links.
If all seems correct, I would look into a Hellwig Anti-Sway bar.
https://www.hellwigproducts.com/products/search-by-vehicle/?Year1=2018&Make=Ram&Model=2500

 

[Tankerpilot01]

Weight distribution of your camper the same? Bumper pull or 5er? Sounds similar to what happens when you don’t have enough tongue weight is why I ask...


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[Raymillsus]

They don't have products for 2015 and up 2500's. They went to coil springs (or air) in 2015 so no leaf springs


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You are correct. I did not notice the year. that is on me.

 

[averageguy]

Is the cab size and bed length the same?

 

[crash68]

Are you using a WDH and is it set up per the instructions in the Ram owners manual? It does involve putting the rear auto level system in Jack Mode to set up the WDH. It's best to run the truck over a set of scales to verify the set up.

 

[john Robb]

Thanks all, it's the same truck, crew cab 6.4 bed. Everything's right. The tongue weight is 940 lbs. The drop hitch is set for level trailer height. I'm thinking it has to be the tires being fairly new, (1600 miles). I've towed excavators, tractors, all kinds of things and never had a wiggle issue, and never had a WDH. I hope the problem isn't with the air bags. Would they be less laterally stable than the springs??

 

[john Robb]

Bumper pull, not fifth wheel.

 

[tjfdesmo]

If they are the Transforce tires, I'd dump them ASAP regardless. They are crap. If you are confident of the weight and hitch weights you have given, I'd re-shuffle stuff in the trailer to add a couple hundred pounds more tongue weight.


On Edit: Thoroughly inspect the trailer frame and suspension components. My friend had a trailer that became a handful, and he discovered a cracked frame allowing so much flex the trailer was going down the road like a sidewinder.

 

[Tankerpilot01]

That was my thought too: add more tongue weight. You’re around 10%. To see if 12-15% would make a difference.


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[john Robb]

Roger that, I can drain the rear water tank (50 gallons) , and, I'm hoping to have another 1000 miles on the tires by my next trip... I'll report back in then. Thanks!