Highway Travel Trailer “Semi Suck Syndrome”: 3 Upgrades That Transformed My Towing Experience
- Donny Zwisler
- 5 days ago
- 10 min read
By Donny Zwisler, Colorado RV Service
Do you hate driving your travel trailer on the highway?
Does every passing semi-truck make you tighten your grip on the steering wheel because it feels like your trailer is being pulled toward the side of the truck?
I call this Semi Suck Syndrome—or SSS.
As a semi approaches, its pressure wave may push your travel trailer away. As the truck passes, the changing air pressure can make the trailer feel like it is being sucked toward the semi. Add crosswinds, rain, snow, mountain passes, uneven pavement, and fast-moving traffic, and towing a travel trailer can quickly become exhausting or downright frightening.
I experienced it myself.
I drove approximately 5,000 miles with my 26-foot Winnebago travel trailer in its stock configuration. I then completed three major towing and suspension upgrades and traveled another 5,000 miles.
The difference was dramatic.
What Changed During the Second 5,000 Miles?
After completing all three upgrades, I noticed:
Trailer sway at highway speed was dramatically reduced and became almost nonexistent under normal conditions.
My confidence around passing semi-trucks improved tremendously, with next to no Semi Suck Syndrome.
The trailer felt firmer, more controlled, and better connected to the road.
This wasn’t an impression formed after a quick drive around the block. It was a real-world comparison based on approximately 10,000 miles of travel-trailer towing—5,000 miles before the upgrades and another 5,000 afterward.
Here are the three upgrades that transformed my travel-trailer towing experience.
Upgrade #1: Hensley Arrow Anti-Sway Hitch
The single most important upgrade I made was installing the Ultimate Hensley Arrow Anti-Sway Trailer Hitch.
A traditional weight-distribution hitch generally relies on friction or resistance to help control trailer sway after movement begins. The Hensley Arrow uses a patented mechanical linkage design intended to prevent trailer-initiated sway from developing in the first place.
The result was a much more stable connection between my tow vehicle and travel trailer. The Hensley Arrow made the biggest difference in reducing the unsettling push-and-pull feeling caused by crosswinds and passing semi-trucks.
What I Noticed with the Hensley Arrow
The trailer stopped feeling like it was constantly trying to steer the tow vehicle.
On the highway, I experienced:
Far less side-to-side trailer movement
Dramatically reduced travel-trailer sway
Greater stability during lane changes
Better control in Colorado crosswinds
Next to no Semi Suck Syndrome when trucks passed
Less driver fatigue and fewer white-knuckle moments
Much greater confidence towing at highway speeds
Before installing the Hensley Arrow, I watched every approaching semi-truck in my mirror and prepared for the trailer to move. After the upgrade, passing trucks became much less of an event.
I could still feel that a large truck was beside me, but I no longer felt like my travel trailer was being pulled toward it.
The Hensley Arrow is not inexpensive, and connecting it is different from hitching to a conventional trailer ball. There is a learning curve, but it quickly becomes part of the normal hitching process.
Based on my first 5,000 miles with the stock hitch compared with the next 5,000 miles using the Hensley Arrow, this upgrade produced the greatest improvement in travel-trailer sway control, highway stability, and semi-truck passing confidence.
Learn more or purchase the hitch directly from Hensley Manufacturing:
Does a Hensley Arrow Replace Proper Loading?
Absolutely not.
Even the best anti-sway hitch cannot correct:
An overloaded travel trailer
Insufficient or excessive tongue weight
Incorrect weight-distribution adjustment
Worn suspension components
Underinflated or overloaded trailer tires
Improperly rated wheels, tires, receiver, or hitch components
Excessive speed for the road and weather conditions
The hitch, tow vehicle, trailer suspension, tires, brakes, and load distribution must all work together.
Upgrade #2: MORryde CRE3000, Wet Bolts and Heavy-Duty Shackles
My second major upgrade addressed the travel trailer’s factory leaf-spring suspension.
I installed:
MORryde CRE3000 rubber equalizers
Heavy-duty 1/2-inch-thick shackle plates
Greaseable wet bolts
Bronze suspension bushings
Together, these components replaced the lighter factory equalizers, thin shackles, dry bolts, and nylon bushings commonly found on travel trailers.
MORryde CRE3000 Shock-Absorbing Equalizers
The MORryde CRE3000 replaces the trailer’s conventional steel equalizers with rubber-cushioned equalizers designed to absorb road shock and vibration.
The CRE3000 provides up to three inches of vertical suspension travel, allowing the tandem-axle suspension to react more smoothly when traveling over potholes, bridge joints, uneven pavement, campground roads, and other rough surfaces.
The specific CRE3000 kit linked below is designed for tandem-axle trailers with a 35-inch wheelbase, double-eye leaf springs, and axles rated up to 8,000 pounds. Proper measurements must be taken before ordering because MORryde offers different configurations.
View the MORryde CRE3000 equalizers:
Heavy-Duty Shackles, Wet Bolts and Bronze Bushings
I also upgraded the remaining suspension hardware rather than installing the CRE3000 equalizers with the original factory shackles and bolts.
The MORryde suspension upgrade kit replaces the commonly used thin factory shackle plates with much thicker, heavy-duty shackles. It also replaces dry suspension bolts and nylon bushings with greaseable wet bolts and bronze bushings.
These components provide:
Stronger 1/2-inch-thick shackle plates
Greaseable wet bolts for routine maintenance
More durable bronze suspension bushings
Reduced wear at critical suspension pivot points
Less risk of shackle holes elongating from normal wear
Greater confidence in the trailer’s suspension system
The linked upgrade kit uses 3-1/8-inch-long shackle straps. Shackle length must be measured before ordering because installing the wrong kit can change suspension geometry and trailer ride height.
View the MORryde wet-bolt and heavy-duty shackle kit:
What I Noticed After the MORryde Suspension Upgrade
The trailer felt more planted, controlled, and settled on the highway.
The Hensley Arrow made the greatest difference in controlling sway and reducing Semi Suck Syndrome. The MORryde suspension upgrade produced a different but equally noticeable improvement: it reduced the harsh, disconnected feeling caused by rough pavement and sudden changes in the road surface.
After installing the CRE3000 system, wet bolts, bronze bushings, and heavy-duty shackles, I noticed:
A smoother ride over bridge joints and broken pavement
Less harsh movement transmitted through the trailer
Reduced bouncing and back-and-forth chucking
A firmer, more controlled highway feel
Better suspension movement over uneven surfaces
Less stress and movement inside the travel trailer
A stronger connection between the trailer and the road
The suspension no longer felt like a group of basic steel parts simply transferring every impact into the trailer. The rubber-cushioned equalizers allowed the axles to react more smoothly, while the upgraded shackles, bushings, and bolts tightened and strengthened the suspension’s critical pivot points.
Why I Recommend Doing the Complete Upgrade
The CRE3000 equalizers can be installed separately, but I recommend inspecting the entire suspension system at the same time.
If the original shackles, bolts, or nylon bushings are worn, installing new equalizers alone leaves several weak and potentially loose components in place. Completing the upgrade with heavy-duty shackles, bronze bushings, and wet bolts creates a more durable and serviceable system.
During installation, the technician should also inspect:
Leaf springs for cracks, flattening, or broken leaves
Spring hangers for cracks or elongated bolt holes
Shackle plates and suspension bolts for wear
Equalizer mounting points
Axle alignment and tire-wear patterns
U-bolts and spring seats
Brake wiring near moving suspension components
Tire clearance throughout the suspension’s range of movement
Wet Bolts Still Require Maintenance
A wet-bolt suspension is greaseable—it is not maintenance-free.
The bolts contain grease fittings that allow lubricant to reach the bronze bushings. These fittings should be serviced regularly using the manufacturer-recommended grease.
MORryde currently recommends lubricating its heavy-duty shackle system approximately twice per year or every 6,000–10,000 miles using high-temperature lithium grease.
If a wet bolt will not accept grease, it should not simply be ignored. The grease passage may be blocked, the bolt may be installed in the wrong orientation, or the suspension’s weight may be preventing grease from flowing around the bushing. The cause should be identified and corrected.
Upgrade #3: Goodyear Endurance Tires with Eagle Aluminum Wheels
My third upgrade was replacing the factory tire-and-wheel assemblies with Goodyear Endurance ST225/75R15 Load Range E radial trailer tires mounted on 15-inch Eagle aluminum wheels.
This is the exact tire-and-wheel package I installed on my 2024 Winnebago Access 26RL:
The Eagle wheels significantly improved the trailer’s appearance, but this was not merely a cosmetic upgrade. I wanted a premium, properly rated trailer tire and wheel assembly that would give me greater confidence during long-distance highway towing.
Goodyear Endurance Tire and Wheel Specifications
This particular tire-and-wheel assembly includes:
Goodyear Endurance ST225/75R15 radial trailer tire
Load Range E
10-ply rating
Maximum load capacity of 2,830 pounds at 80 PSI
N speed rating of up to 87 mph
15-inch-by-6-inch Eagle aluminum wheel
Six-lug, 6-on-5½-inch bolt pattern
2,830-pound wheel capacity
Black machined aluminum finish
Steel inserts around the lug holes
Pre-mounted tire-and-wheel assembly
The tire’s 87-mph rating identifies its tested maximum speed capability under the specified conditions. It is not a recommendation to tow at that speed.
Your actual travel speed must account for road conditions, weather, traffic, trailer stability, state towing laws, and the ratings of every component in the towing system.
Why I Chose Goodyear Endurance Trailer Tires
The Goodyear Endurance is an ST—or Special Trailer—tire engineered specifically for trailer use.
Its construction includes:
Double steel belts
Reinforced polyester construction
A nylon overlay to help stabilize the tread
Durawall sidewall technology
Features intended to help manage heat during loaded trailer operation
A specialized inner liner designed to reduce air loss
Trailer tires endure forces that are different from those experienced by passenger-car and light-truck tires. Tandem-axle trailer tires are subjected to significant side loading and scrubbing during tight turns. They also spend long periods parked before being asked to carry a heavy load at highway speed.
For those reasons, tire quality, age, inflation pressure, load capacity, storage conditions, and regular inspection are extremely important.
Why I Upgraded the Wheels at the Same Time
The Eagle aluminum wheels gave me a complete, ready-to-install package and eliminated the need to mount the new tires on my original factory wheels.
The aluminum wheels provide:
A corrosion-resistant finish
Steel inserts to help protect the lug holes
A 2,830-pound load rating that matches the tire capacity
A significant visual improvement over the stock wheels
A complete pre-mounted tire-and-wheel assembly
Steel inserts in an aluminum wheel can help reduce wear around the lug holes, but lug-nut torque must still be checked after installation according to the wheel, trailer, and axle manufacturers’ instructions.
What I Noticed After Installing the Goodyear Endurance Tires
The trailer immediately felt firmer and more consistent on the highway.
My original review after installing this exact package was simple: great ride, I could feel the difference, and it gave me greater peace of mind.
During the second 5,000 miles, I noticed:
A firmer connection to the pavement
More predictable highway tracking
Greater confidence during long-distance towing
A smoother and more stable overall feel
Less concern about the quality of the factory-installed tires
Better appearance from the Eagle aluminum wheels
The tires did not accomplish this transformation alone. They completed a towing system that already included the Hensley Arrow and upgraded MORryde suspension.
The Hensley Arrow controlled sway. The MORryde suspension better managed road shock and suspension movement. The Goodyear Endurance tires and Eagle wheels provided a solid, properly rated connection to the road.
Confirm Fitment Before Ordering
The linked assembly was confirmed as a direct fit for my 2024 Winnebago Access 26RL, but that does not mean it fits every travel trailer.
Before ordering, verify:
Current tire size
Wheel diameter and width
Number of lug holes
Wheel bolt pattern
Wheel-stud size
Pilot-hole diameter
Wheel offset
Tire and wheel load capacity
Required inflation pressure
Fender, frame, and suspension clearance
Lug-nut style and required socket clearance
The linked wheel uses a six-lug, 6-on-5½-inch bolt pattern. A five-lug or eight-lug trailer requires a different wheel.
Trailer-Tire Maintenance Still Matters
Premium trailer tires still require regular inspection and maintenance.
Before every travel day, check:
Cold tire pressure
Sidewalls for cracking, cuts, bulges, or punctures
Tread for uneven wear
Valve stems and TPMS sensors
Lug-nut torque
Tire clearance
Signs of axle or suspension misalignment
The tire’s DOT manufacturing date
I also recommend using a trailer tire-pressure monitoring system. A TPMS can warn you about a loss of pressure or rising tire temperature before the problem becomes a complete tire failure.
Never assume a tire is safe solely because it has good tread. Trailer tires can age out before their tread wears out, especially when they are exposed to sunlight, weather, long storage periods, or chronic underinflation.
Which Upgrade Made the Biggest Difference?
If I had to rank the three upgrades based on my experience, this is how I would order them:
1. Hensley Arrow Anti-Sway Hitch
The Hensley Arrow produced the greatest improvement in trailer sway control, semi-truck passing confidence, and overall highway stability.
2. MORryde CRE3000, Wet Bolts and Heavy-Duty Shackles
The MORryde suspension upgrade made the trailer feel smoother, more planted, and better able to manage rough roads, bridge joints, and highway transitions.
3. Goodyear Endurance Tires and Eagle Aluminum Wheels
The Goodyear Endurance tires completed the package by giving me a premium, properly rated tire-and-wheel combination that felt firm and predictable on the road.
The complete transformation came from all three upgrades working together.
Upgrade | Primary Improvement |
Hensley Arrow | Controlled trailer sway and reduced Semi Suck Syndrome |
MORryde CRE3000 system | Absorbed road shock and improved suspension control |
Goodyear Endurance and Eagle wheels | Provided a firm, properly rated connection to the road |
Can These Upgrades Completely Eliminate Trailer Sway?
No towing upgrade makes a travel trailer immune to wind, improper loading, excessive speed, worn components, or dangerous weather.
Strong crosswinds can move any trailer. If road or weather conditions become unsafe, the correct decision is to reduce speed or get off the highway and wait.
Before spending money on upgrades, the trailer and tow vehicle should receive a complete evaluation that includes:
Actual trailer weight
Actual tongue weight
Tow-vehicle payload capacity
Hitch and receiver ratings
Weight-distribution adjustment
Trailer tire age, condition, pressure, and load rating
Wheel condition and lug-nut torque
Wheel bearings and grease seals
Leaf springs, shackles, hangers, equalizers, and bushings
Axle alignment
Trailer brakes and brake adjustment
Brake-controller operation
Installing premium components on a poorly loaded trailer or worn-out suspension will not correct the underlying problem.
My Final Verdict After 10,000 Miles
For the first 5,000 miles, my stock Winnebago travel trailer demanded constant attention on the highway. Passing semi-trucks and crosswinds made the trailer feel less settled than I wanted.
After installing the Hensley Arrow, MORryde CRE3000 equalizers, wet bolts, heavy-duty shackles, bronze bushings, Goodyear Endurance tires, and Eagle aluminum wheels, I traveled another 5,000 miles.
The second 5,000 miles were dramatically more enjoyable.
Trailer sway became nearly nonexistent under normal highway conditions. Passing semi-trucks no longer caused the same anxiety. The entire travel trailer felt firmer, more predictable, and more connected to the road.
I still respect wind, weather, weight limits, tire pressure, road conditions, and proper trailer loading. But I no longer dread seeing the next semi-truck coming alongside me.
For me, these upgrades did more than improve the trailer.
They transformed the entire towing experience.
Need Help Improving Your Travel Trailer’s Highway Handling?
If your travel trailer sways, feels loose on the highway, reacts severely to passing semi-trucks, or simply does not inspire confidence, Colorado RV Service can inspect the towing and suspension systems and help identify the real cause.
Colorado RV Service can assist with:
Travel-trailer suspension inspections
MORryde CRE3000 installations
Wet-bolt and heavy-duty shackle upgrades
Wheel-bearing service
Trailer brake inspections and adjustments
Trailer tire and wheel inspections
Weight-distribution hitch evaluations
Travel-trailer sway and towing diagnostics
Colorado RV Service provides professional mobile RV repair and travel-trailer service throughout Northern Colorado and the Colorado Front Range, including Denver, Westminster, Arvada, Boulder, Longmont, Berthoud, Loveland, Fort Collins, Estes Park, and surrounding communities.
303-525-7894
Colorado RV Service
Mobile RV Repair & Inspections
Travel Trailer • Fifth Wheel • Toy Hauler • Motorhome
Call today to schedule your travel-trailer towing and suspension inspection.
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