Dodge Ram Trailer Sway Control (TSC) system

[Barney1]

Does anyone have any experience with the Dodge Ram Trailer Sway Control (TSC) system?

The Dodge dealer was trying to tell me that with their TSC System a separate sway bar is mot needed.
That a WDH without sway control is sufficient since the truck has built in sway control??????

Any thought or experience with Ram's Trailer Sway Control (TSC) system?

[Barney1]

I did find some information online about Dodge's Tailer Sway Control (TSC) but it is minimal. Mostly brochure stuff.

Does anyone have experience with it?

Will it eliminate the need for away control in your hitch set up????


RAM's website says:
"The Trailer Sway Controller recognizes a swaying trailer and automatically applies individual wheel brakes and/or reduces engine power to attempt to eliminate the trailer sway."
Source: http://www.ramtrucks.com/en/2012/ram...owing_payload/

I found this video demonstrating TSC on a Dodge vehicle:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRbKU...e_gdata_player

[SaskCampers]

Best advice IMO is don't set youself up that you need to find out if the Dodge sway control is sufficient and use the proper hitch and sway control, like a Reese Dual Cam, Equalizer or Blue Ox hitch. Electronic control in the truck is there as a last resort to a driver not being able to control their vehicle and does not make up for a properly setup truck and trailer.

[lindy]

I my opinion the video has no relation to what pulling a camper will be. The trl they use is an oversized utility trl. If you plan on pulling any size of camper that requires a weight distribution hitch they anti sway is also a MUST have, be it thru the type of hitch i.e. Equilizer hitch or an add on sway bar.

[sherri330]

Not sure about Dodge, but it sounds a lot like the TSC on my Ford. Unfortunately, I did have an experience and found out how the truck's system works. It does not prevent sway. What it does is help you maintain control once extreme sway occurs. We were on the interstate when an idiot driver decided to cut in front of me too soon. I had to evade and the trailer started swaying badly. The TSC kicked in and I could feel the trucks breaks working, first one side, then the other as I took my foot off the gas. I had the trailer back under control in no time. I still have a sway control system on my hitch that prevents the less dramatic sway from crosswinds and passing trucks and gives me peace of mind.

I would be interested in hearing if anyone else has had a similar experience with their truck's TSC system as my opinion is based on my experience and not the technical description of what the system is supposed to do.

[Fire Instructor]

From my readings, the challenge of the new built-in anti-sways is similar to what drivers experienced a number of years ago, when anti-lock brakes were first introduced. For YEARS we were all taught to pump the brakes, then anti-lock came along and that changed, as we now have to just apply steady pressure.

With anti-sway, you have to let the computer work. Just take your foot off the accelerator, LIGHTLY brake, and steer straight ahead, and don't attempt to correct with counter-steering.

[Barney1]

Thanks for all your input

Ok from what I have read here and elsewhere this is my understanding.

The built in Trailer Sway Controller on TVs (Ram, Ford, Chevrolet and perhaps others) is really meant to react after it detects a sway "event".

The "sway bars" and the "WDH with sway control" are meant to prevent the sway "event" from even starting.

With all that in mind TV Sway Controllers do NOT eliminate the need for a good sway bar or WDH with sway control.

[backin15]

Sounds like a good summary, Barney1. Unless you have a very light trailer you will want a weight distribution hitch anyway so why not just get one with anti-sway anyway?

[Barney1]

Originally Posted by backin15

Sounds like a good summary, Barney1. Unless you have a very light trailer you will want a weight distribution hitch anyway so why not just get one with anti-sway anyway?

From my point of view it was why pay for something that you do not need.

For example why would you pay for 8 new spark plugs when your 4 cylinder car is being service.
That actually happened to my mother-in-law, she caught it before paying the bill.

I have now come to the conclusion that one does not make the other redundant. They actually compliment each other.

[Labzy]

Basically, you are comparing active and passive sway control.
Passive sway control helps prevent sway from occuring; while active mainly corrects the sway once it occurs.

Btw....what are the differences between the Laramie and the Big Horn?

[Barney1]

Originally Posted by Labzy

Basically, you are comparing active and passive sway control.
Passive sway control helps prevent sway from occuring; while active mainly corrects the sway once it occurs.

Btw....what are the differences between the Laramie and the Big Horn?

That is what I am know realizing (active and passive sway control.)

As for differences between Laramie and the Big Horn - I am not really sure.
I think it is all option packaging.
The technical/mechanical stuff seems all the same.

I do see the "AS SPEC'D CURB WEIGHTS" are different:
Laramie: 5540.00lbs
Big Horn: 5378.00lbs

Laramie has 162 more pounds of options.

Sources:
2011 Ram 1500 4WD Crew Cab 5.6 Ft Box Laramie | Carguide Canada
2011 Ram 1500 4WD Crew Cab 5.6 Ft Box Big Horn | Carguide Canada