I've discovered my least optimal towing experience is when the relative wind is coming from the forward quarter (i.e., about 45 degrees off from straight ahead). I actually get slightly better mileage and performance with the wind coming from dead ahead, when the trailer is within the wind shadow of the truck.
I found that anything over 65 was uncomfortable. I now generally cruise at 60 for an extra margin. Plus, the mileage goes to hell after 55, and especially after 60.
Sounds like you found and corrected a major issue with your hitch setup. Still might need some fine tuning so get it weighed so you can properly balance it. The uneven tensions on your bars was a big no no. Probably the reason for your "squigglyness" at speed. Granted anything over 55 mph and your mileage takes a nose dive, but the trailer should still be stable.
I have a 2020 Ranger XLT Sport and pull a 21 ft TT with tandem axles and loaded weight of 6000 lbs.
My first trip out I was all over the road due to a bad dealer set up. Re-set it myself per the Husky WDH instructions and it made a big difference. Get the instructions and follow them to do your set up. Watch trailer loading, keep 15% of trailer weight on the tongue. Run tires at marked air pressure and use a sway control. I did a 6000 km trip last summer with this set up and no issues.
I have to admit, it did have some nicer features. So, the bigger unit it may be. That puts us at 4500lbs. dry with 495 on the tongue. Still not horrible. Fortunately, we're past the 'bring everything you own' stage or travel. Some clothes, a BBQ grill, a camp chair, and I'm a happy guy.
So I won't be in a hurry, and keep it at 60-65 max.
Don't over think it. We have a Jayco on order that when loaded out will be around 6000 lbs, maybe a bit more, with somewhere around a 700 lb tongue weight. Yeah, one can play with numbers, moving this and that around, ect ect ect. I wouldn't think twice about what your planning.I like this setup, but I had a question or clarification needed. You said that your trailer is 6k, fully loaded, but you recommend keeping 15% on the tongue. If that's what you're doing, then your tongue weight would be 900lb., and that's clearly too heavy. So, was that a typo, or is your weight distribution different?
I have my '19 SCrew Lariat, and my wife and I are this >< close to buying a TT. We currently have a '07 Winnebago View, but it the layout isn't really serving our needs now that we have 2 kids. So away it will go. We're looking at a Winnebago Micro Minnie 2100BH. 3,860lbs. dry, with a 430 tongue weight. Well, we WERE looking at one. Then, sales guy had us look at a 2306BH. Better bathroom, larger kitchen, north-south queen vs. east-west in the 2100. As all here who are married, once the wife sees something, it cannot be unseen.
When we unloaded our View, I think the entire contents were only about 500lbs. But, the View's CCC is only about 800lbs. (super wimpy) With water, propane, food, the four of us and our two dogs, I can guarantee we did tens of thousands of miles overloaded. Not a great situation.
With the trailer, I'm guessing loaded up with water, and stuff, we're going to b around 5300lbs. I'm driving my wife nuts with getting fanatical about weight and how things are loaded. The two of us, our kids, 2 dogs, a topper, and tongue weight, we'll be within 250 of max payload. I'm planning on a WDH, a tongue scale, and weighing everything that goes into the trailer to make sure it's loaded properly to get the tongue weight. From what I'm reading, we're still within spec on everything, and at 70% of towing capacity. Golden rule is not to exceed 80%, right?
From my RV experience, I know that the most important part of the whole equation is the nut behind the wheel.
