Hey folks am hoping for help (once again).  I have a 2006 Dodge 2500 4X4 short bed quad cab and just purchased a 16' featherlite stock trailer, 7' high.  Have years of hauling experience, but don't want to jump to any conclusions without "asking the experts" here.

My trailer is giving me white knuckles.  When hauling (seems more pronounced empty) on the highway, its moves the truck around and I don't feel like I have adequate steering capability (and I wouldn't hit the brakes)  at that time.  Because of this I haven't tried it on the highway loaded down with four horses (just got the trailera couple of months ago).  Have been using it for short local trips.  When I put two horses in it and head down the highway for a short stretch I have to keep my speed under 50.  I haul about three times a week.

Have had a weight distribution hitch in the past; don't love the extra job putting it on each time.  Not interested in trading or selling my truck.  Would consider trading the trailer for a gooseneck (already have the gooseneck hitch) and I know the truck does just fine with a similar length gooseneck trailer (have a 2 horse four star with 4' short wall - about the same floor length).

Any input as to why, or whether weight distribution is my only option, would be appreciated.  Is it my truck?

Thanks so much.   Eleanor

It sounds as if you do not have enough tongue weight on the hitch, or, you may have too much. Either will cause the trailer to sway. However, because you have the symptoms when running empty, I would say it has too little weight on the hitch.

If your trailer is a BP four horse, the axles are probably forward a bit, to reduce the amount of weight on the hitch when it's fully loaded. This can give you the symptoms you are experiencing when it's empty. You can measure the tongue weight when the trailer is empty, and see if it is at least a few hundred pounds. 

If it doesn't, I would try putting some extra weight in the front of the dressing room, several hundred pounds to start, and see if the trailer pulls any differently. If you notice a positive difference, you're on your way to fix the problem.

Well I will.....  Check your hitch, bolts, and everything.  You should have MORE than enough truck to handle that trailer loaded or unloaded.  Plus you should have more of a problem once you add weight to the trailer, not while unloaded. 

Start with making sure ALL of the tires have enough air and ALL lug nuts are tight (truck and trailer), then check out your hitch and all related parts to the hitch, ball and even the pin holding the receiver in the truck.  Also check the coupler on the trailer.

With all of this said, I would have to think your tires are UNDER inflated on truck and trailer both.

I noticed you said the trailer had new tires, if so make sure you did not get passenger car tires, this will also cause this issue.

My opinion you do not have enough tire for that trailer.  But still not understanding why you are seeing more of a problem unloaded.....  What size axles does this trailer have? 5 or 6 lug?