Excursion Towing Problem Question

[HowieE]

I have just started towing my 34 ft. Airstream trailer with a 2004 Excursion.

Having towed this trailer for over 110,000 miles with a Suburban 2500 I was quite surprised and horrified at the uncontrolability while towing. Even small cars caused excessive sway.

My question is has anyone else towed with an Excursion and had the same problem.

The hitch system is just what I have used for years and set up for the Excursion. Weights on the truck axles indicate the hitch is set right. Tires are E rated Michelins brand new.

Please comment.

 

[BamaSixGun]

How was the air pressure in the trailer tires?

 

[HowieE]

Same as the last 110,000 miles while towing with a Suburban, 45lbs

Had towed the trailer, with the Suburban, to Newfoundland this summer with those tires, 3,500 miles no sway at all.

 

[Tbar]

I know a guy that rolled his ex and travel trailer..............he believed the Michelins tires were the cause as the side walls flexed too much.

Can you try towing with a different set?

Check your PM's.


Tbar

 

[Crumm]

You need to install Hellwig sway bars. They are a little loose in stock form.

Hellwig Products

 

[bushpilot]

friend of mine tows THREE of his Airstreams (hes a bit of a collector)
he prefers to tow 'em w/ his Ex...over his f250 crewcab.

 

[HowieE]

friend of mine tows THREE of his Airstreams (hes a bit of a collector)
he prefers to tow 'em w/ his Ex...over his f250 crewcab.

What length are is trailers? I am assuming the 34 ft is giving some additional leverage to start a sway over a shorter trailer.

 

[bushpilot]

What length are is trailers? I am assuming the 34 ft is giving some additional leverage to start a sway over a shorter trailer.

ill check...i know one of 'em is 28ish at least one other is SHORTER.
none of his are 3 axle trailers, that i know.

im assuming youre using a weight distribution hitch.

im no towing expert here, clearly, BUT are you sure the weight is
distrubted properly ? 60% or so toward the front of the trailer has
always been the rule of thumb <or so ive been told>

 

[BIG JOE]

I'm not an EX or Burb guy but Right Off the Top I'd question the 45 lb tire pressure. What does the Air Stream weight, by it's self, as compared to the tire pressure recommendations (per tire) On the tire(s) ? Same thing with the Ex tires.

Then, you get into the Set Up on the WD hitch verses wheel base. You may need (probably will) to change the adjustments (Shims) on the WD hitch from the Burb set up to the Ex. Weight per Axel might be right but the way it's transferred, can make a difference.



I'd still start with the Tire Pressures. Try putting the Max pressure as recommended by the trailor tire maker.

 

[Fire1]

The tires on my 34' trailer show a max pressure of 65psi, which is what I run them at.