Driving wintering wheel at 1:00 o’ clock while towing - Dutchmen Owners
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Old 09-07-2019, 08:16 PM   #1
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Driving wintering wheel at 1:00 o’ clock while towing

We purchased a Coleman Lantern LX 2125BH two weeks ago. I have an EAZ-Lift weight distribution hitch and sway control as part of my towing setup. While I am towing the camper I need to have the steering wheel at 1:00 o’clock to drive a straight line. I know my Jeep is properly aligned as I had the alignment done and mounted new tires one week ago. Has anyone else experienced this? And if so, what did you find to be the culprit?

Thank you in advance.

Lee
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Old 09-07-2019, 09:25 PM   #2
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Let's start with some basics...

You say your tow vehicle is a Jeep. What year & model? Just off the top of my head... I'm thinking you may be asking too much of your Jeep:

A simple Google search tells me the dry weight of your Coleman LX 2125BH is 4,300 lbs... and its GVWR is 7,600 lbs,

A simple search of the Jeep website shows most of their vehicles max towing weight is 3,500 lbs... although some models are up to 6,000 lbs.

Need more specifics to provide any more input.
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Old 09-07-2019, 09:34 PM   #3
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Old 09-07-2019, 10:02 PM   #4
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I have the towing package and a towing capacity of 6,200#
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Old 09-08-2019, 04:02 AM   #5
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So when you are not towing the steering wheel position is normal??


How many miles have you driven like that? Enough to know its probably not a dragging brake? Would have burned out by now.


So if your having to go to the 1 o'clock position. And its the trailer causing the problem. The trailer hitch is pushing the rear of your TV to the right. Maybe anti-sway control problem. Not familiar with your hitch.



Just talking to myself and guessing.
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Old 09-08-2019, 02:11 PM   #6
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I agree with above posts. Stuck brake is most likely. One WDH bar missing could interact with steering suspension. Grossly wrong WDH adjustment.

Of course you weighted your rig at a truck scale to get axle weights so you know front and rear axle weights on your Jeep are within door post sticker specs..
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Old 09-08-2019, 02:15 PM   #7
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Proper front wheel alignment is first started with the steering wheel centered and locked down. Then the adjustments are made and then the road test.
The spokes in the wheel should be parallel when driving straight on a flat road or the wheel should be at 12.

Your alignment wasn't performed properly. Take it back to where it was done or have someone else do it.


That's how it was done in the old days before real mechanics were replaced with high paid parts replacers.
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Old 09-08-2019, 02:41 PM   #8
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Sorry I didn't get back to this sooner... but yeah, this one has me kinda stumped.

With 6,200 lbs of towing capacity on your Cherokee... provided you don't have your RV fully loaded, you should be ok there. I was thinking that maybe the steering was light due to the load... but that's probably not the case.

Alignment has been mentioned above, as has WDH adjustment.

Question: have you tried towing the Coleman a few miles WITHOUT the WDH? In other words... let's remove the WDH from the equation, and see if the problem is still there.

Just hitch the Coleman to your Cherokee without the WDH... take it for a short drive, and see if you still have the 1-o'clock steering issue? If not, then you know where the problem is. If so, then other components (such as axle alignment on the Coleman) may need to be checked.
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Old 09-08-2019, 04:37 PM   #9
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When we got home from our short one night trip I measured the distance of each WDH mount on the trailer. The right side is at 27” and the left side is at 27 5/8”. According to the install video I watched, the left and right side must be at the exact same distance.

I have not tried towing without the WDH, but that is a good suggestion. I do believe the installation of the WDH is my issue. I am going to call my dealer tomorrow and ask that they come out to me to make the correction.

I appreciate everyone’s input.
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Old 09-11-2019, 11:01 AM   #10
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Make sure you go by and get,the weight checked at a cat scale. It’s inexpensive and very necessary for getting that wdh set properly. Get the weight of your Jeep then get the weight after you hook up. The weight on the drive wheels and the front end are critical to pulling correctly...

Ps: welcome to the forum and congrats on the RV.
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Old 09-11-2019, 12:41 PM   #11
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Knowing your different weights is great information. I have an actual 1300# tongue weight, hitch transfers everything but 260# back to the front axle. Front tire to fender well clearance only changes by 1/4".
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