Towing with the rebel EcoDiesel

[Katoom]

So I may have made a big mistake in picking up this truck this summer. Previous to this truck I had a 2019 f250 that was really actually quite a nice truck but I just didn't like driving heavy duty truck around all the time. So I decided that I could probably pull off pulling my 2019 Forest River shockwave toy hauler with a half ton so long as it met some criteria. One of those items was meeting a specific amount of minimum payload which my current truck does (1460lbs) and a tow rating of at least 10,000 lb. When I bought the truck I was under the impression that my Max tow was 11, 400 but I've come to learn that I'm actually more likely closer to 9,700.
My toy hauler dry is 6,400 lb with a tongue weight of around 900 lb ish at Max load, I do haul a Kawasaki krx 1000 side-by-side in it and in total I weigh approximately 9,300 lb.
So, I know I'm pushing things a little bit close but it should be within the limits of the truck's capabilities. What I have found is that the truck is more than capable of pulling this trailer down the highway at speeds of 70 to 75, mph so long as the weather is good.
Once things start getting dicey weather wise this truck becomes very unsettled very quickly and it scared the crap out of me multiple times this last weekend. Driving down the highway even at 60 mph with crosswinds around 20 mph was tossing this truck around like a ragdoll or at least it felt that way. I am also running airlift airbags on the rear to help keep the truck level and transfer weight forward on the truck. That being said, the truck was still crazy sketchy and I'm wondering if there's much of anything that can be done about this or do I need to jump to another HD truck?
I'm also wondering if I have my weight distribution hitch set up right? I certainly thought I had It set up correctly but dang I don't know maybe I'm wrong. Maybe that's the problem here I don't think so but it's possible.
Also thinking about some heavier duty springs in the rear end and maybe that would help keep the truck from getting squirrely?
I certainly wouldn't have thought that pulling a trailer would be so sketchy in this truck so long as I kept it within the limits that are set, but maybe that's just naive of me.

 

[Davidbt]

I have Air Lift 1000HD's on my 1500 Big Horn and changed to 10ply tires. I know that the sway control on the distribution Hitch helps mine a lot. Last year coming through Texas, we had 45 mile an hour winds and truck and trailer did fine considering. Wouldn't want to do it all of the time.

 

[nc_beagle]

I'm not towing as heavy a camper and have a Limited vs a Rebel, but I've found that getting the WDH right makes a world of difference. I'm a pretty cautious driver and I feel every real and imaginary problem when towing. I've had my WDH improperly dialed in and 55mph on a calm day was a little wiggy. With it dialed in, 65-70 (I usually aim for 60-65max) was rock solid, even with some wind or tractor trailers, etc... passing.

The EcoDiesel has a lower tow rating. I've never understood why but assumed it had to do with cooling. I don't think power is an issue.

I do have the Hellwig sway bar, but don't know how much it helps with the towing. It certainly helps with cornering in general though.

 

[silver billet]

I'd invest in something like the hensley stinger or propride WDH if I was pulling that heavy. They eliminate side to side sway.

Bags do not transfer weight forward. All they do is level your truck, they don't help redistribute weight. In fact they might make that problem worse as the stiffer your rear shocks get, the more the rear axle acts like a pivot and forces the front end to get light.

 

[Katoom]

Well I thought I had my WDH setup right but I'm no expert so I guess it's worth taking another look at it. I'm also going to get some HD spring f/r which I'm hoping will take care of this issue so I'm not forced back into another HD truck