Trailer sway

[MRobinette]

I have a 34' 12000lb towable trailer and it sways bad in wind or when i'm passed by a big truck. I'm currently using a drawtite hitch with out any kind of sway control. Does anyone have any suggestions on witch set up works the best without breaking the bank.





Thanks, Mike

 

[lawdog]

No personal experience with it but a friend swears by his Reese Dual Cam sway control... . check link belowSway Control link

 

[y-knot]

For a tag or bumper pull trailer, I like the Load equalizer hitches with a single bar type sway controller. I have the kind that has a 1 1/8" ball that mounts on the hitch head, and another 1 1/8" ball that mounts to the trailer tongue. You can control the amount of drag on the sway bar by tightening the pad that presses on the bar. I have used this type of sway control for twenty years or so, and have always had great tows with it. They are not expensive, around 150 for the set-up.

Also, to have a trailer that tows good you need to be level, or as close as possible. The tongue weight should be 10% of the trailers weight. And the equalizer bars need to be adjusted right, not to loose, and not so tight they throw to much weight to the front. Keep the trailer tires close to the max air pressure recommended by the tire manufacturer, and only use tires that are marked for trailer use only. Good luck.

 

[GerryDrake]

What y-knot said !!... .



Emphasis on the tongue weight being in the 10% to 12% range. Once this is accomplished with the weight distributing hitch, sway should be greatly minimized. THEN, by adding in the anti-sway bar, you will have the best chance of the sway problem being nigh to gone. Tire pressure and level trailer just as he said are important with any trailer.



When I was towing such a trailer, I always found it easier to take off the sway bar when backing, and be aware that with an anti-sway bar installed, you can't turn QUITE as tight, either way. Not a big problem, but check it out.



Properly adjusted, it works great