Blue Ox SwayPro

[TexasT]

I've been researching hitches and would like to hear a performance review from owners of the new style of SwayPro; I think they made the change to the current model sometime in '13. I've read what I could find in the forums, but a lot of times it wasn't clear if it was the new or old style being discussed. I'd appreciate any feedback!

[KyDan]

See my post here-- there were no replies so I wonder if Blue Ox is little known??
I know I have doubts and wonder if I should have kept my Reese dual cam.
http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...-me-75273.html

[TexasT]

Ouch! I have an EAZ-Lift hitch now, and even when I raise the tongue up it breaks loose with a lot of force, but I figure it's easier to control because I'm bringing the handle toward me vs. the SwayPro moving parallel to the frame. Do you have enough room to possibly use a cheater pipe with that handle in order to control it better? How do you like it as far as towing and backing with it still attached?

[KyDan]

I may bend the handle out so my hands aren't so close to the frame
when setting the chains but the handle is flat bar about 2" wide so using
a pipe cheater is out unless it was a huge pipe

I only drove home from the dealer. Ride and bounce and sway were
decent and about the same as my previous trailer with the reese dual cam.
You can back or turn sharply with no noise but I wonder about the WD
bars longevity. They are noticeably bent when loaded and I've heard of
WD bars breaking over time. Not necessarily Blue OX but others....

I haven't really had it long enough to give any opinion other than BE
CAREFUL. IF my hand had been a little closer to the frame I would have
broken bones!! My reese never was that hard to load or unload even
when the truck was at odd angles.

[TexasT]

OK! I appreciate your feedback, Dan!

[WolfWhistle]

Originally Posted by KyDan

I may bend the handle out so my hands aren't so close to the frame
when setting the chains but the handle is flat bar about 2" wide so using
a pipe cheater is out unless it was a huge pipe

I only drove home from the dealer. Ride and bounce and sway were
decent and about the same as my previous trailer with the reese dual cam.
You can back or turn sharply with no noise but I wonder about the WD
bars longevity. They are noticeably bent with loaded and I've heard of
WD bars breaking over time. Not necessarily Blue OX but others....

I haven't really had it long enough to give any opinion other than BE
CAREFUL. IF my hand had been a little closer to the frame I would have
broken bones!! My reese never was that hard to load or unload even
when the truck was at odd angles.

Hi, I have the dual-cam with 1200# bars (12,000# tow). When I jack the front way up, there is very little of no pressure on the chains, and no unexpected force when setting the bars. It seems to be set right, cause it tows great. I'm not familiar with other hitches, but I have always thought if I had the chance I would like to try the Propride P3 or Hensley.

[DougP47]

I have the Blue Ox and like it over the Ez 2. A couple of thinks I do is
I use a 3/4 socket on a 1/2 ratchet to hook up and release the chains.
Jack up the tongue high enough so there is no load on the chains. Move the bars to see if there is slack in chains.
One other thing you might was to check is, count the # of links on the bars. I have talked to a couple of people who had an extra link on one bar. I have marked my chain with paint where I hook it up so I don't have to count each time I hook up. Help ensure I have it in proper position. Hope this helps.

[pjnlorrie]

We have the Blue Ox Sway Pro. It was included with our Vibe 6501. As other posters stated, after jacking the tongue to take the weight off the ball there is little weight on the bars. I find the force needed to rotate/release the chain to be rather light.

[itat]

If your driveway or campsite is sloped significantly, you may have to take the bars off before backing in. That's what I did with my Equalizer hitch bars. They were nearly impossible to remove once I was backed in my driveway because it slopes up towards the garage.

[Miller303KDS]

Originally Posted by DougP47

I have the Blue Ox and like it over the Ez 2. A couple of thinks I do is
I use a 3/4 socket on a 1/2 ratchet to hook up and release the chains.
Jack up the tongue high enough so there is no load on the chains. Move the bars to see if there is slack in chains.
One other thing you might was to check is, count the # of links on the bars. I have talked to a couple of people who had an extra link on one bar. I have marked my chain with paint where I hook it up so I don't have to count each time I hook up. Help ensure I have it in proper position. Hope this helps.

Ditto. I am going on my third season with the blue Ox and this how I disconnect as well. I always try to move the spring bars to make sure they are not loaded before rotating the chains off.


2014 Coachmen Catalina 303KDS

[TexasT]

Thanks! I appreciate everyone's input!

[DKRITTER]

Hmm, learned something today...

There is a Blessing, Texas cool

[PineForestCamper]

I have been using the Blue Ox for two seasons. Friend came over and helped me make adjustments to the head height and he instantly fell in love. He uses the Equalizer and said he loved the simplicity of the setup compared to what he is doing now. His wife made it 100% clear that there would be no change in $etup.

The Blue Ox is my first WDH so I have nothing to compare with. Its worked out great so far. When removing the WDH I higher it to remove the tension and that creates a very safe removal. So much so my 4 year old could undo the chains. I tried removing with tension a couple of times and could have ripped my arms off had I continued that method with power of the swing when releasing.

I've had to call customer service once to help with setup and they were great to deal with. Responsive and knowledgeable. I'm sure the other WDH choices work just as well. However, I'd have no reservations purchasing a Blue Ox again.

[TexasT]

Originally Posted by PineForestCamper

His wife made it 100% clear that there would be no change in $etup.

...that's funny! Thanks for your feedback!

[WhoMe]

I just saw this post. I just bought a new Surveyor 226 and had the Blue Ox Sway Pro installed by the dealer. I'm not familiar with this hitch as I had the Equalizer WDH before. The dealer installed it incorrectly so that when I got on the interstate and up to 50mph the trailer started to sway badly. I was able to pull over into a parking lot. As I was releasing the tension bars the handle flew out of my hand and hit me on the arm as it went by. I have a big bruised lump on my forearm and I'm lucky it's not broken. I had to disassemble the hitch head and lower it to the bottom hole. I carefully re-tensioned the bars to the chain link suggested by the dealer. I was able to get home (400 miles) with no more trouble.

After doing a lot of research on this hitch I discovered that I should have originally had a longer hitch bar installed so that the trailer ball would sit lower. I had to order this at a cost of $180 as the dealer said it would not trade out the original bar. I have played around a lot with which chain link to use and think I have zeroed in on the ideal.

I like this hitch better than the Equalizer because there is no exposed grease and it is silent when turning and backing. I'm pulling about 6000 pounds now as opposed to 3000 pounds in my earlier trailer. I've only been out with it twice so I still have some learning to do.

Bottom line, be VERY careful when first getting use to the hitch and don't trust the dealer to know how to correctly install it.

[mlong]

I was lucky, my dealer tech had just returned from training by the Blue Ox manufacturer on the proper way to install the hitch. He went over the procedure with me explaining that I needed to hook it up to the tv, then raise the tongue to relieve the tension to hook up the chains. They had it set up great for the ride home. After loading I had to make a few adjustments to the chains to avoid bouncing and it has been great ever since. I have not had any experience with any other WDH. I do get a little bit of sway but I think it is due to having passenger tires instead of LT tires. It only sways a little and recovers fast. Nothing that has ever made me fearful. The "no exposed grease" is not entirely true. You should grease the joints every 6 months at least and when you do so it squeezes out the top and bottom. I've wiped a lot off but it is tough to get it all.

[SaskCampers]

Originally Posted by KyDan

I may bend the handle out so my hands aren't so close to the frame
when setting the chains but the handle is flat bar about 2" wide so using
a pipe cheater is out unless it was a huge pipe

I only drove home from the dealer. Ride and bounce and sway were
decent and about the same as my previous trailer with the reese dual cam.
You can back or turn sharply with no noise but I wonder about the WD
bars longevity. They are noticeably bent when loaded and I've heard of
WD bars breaking over time. Not necessarily Blue OX but others....

I haven't really had it long enough to give any opinion other than BE
CAREFUL. IF my hand had been a little closer to the frame I would have
broken bones!! My reese never was that hard to load or unload even
when the truck was at odd angles.

Dan,

I added to you other post on the Blue Ox. Have a look.

As to anyone owning one, I have had one since 2010 and have upgraded to the rotary latches and I will say when you have a Blue Ox dialed in properly your trailer pulls like it is on rails behind you.

[tlambert]

I know this may vary by each vehicle but what chain link do most of you use? If you have the rotating latches.


Tim

[mlong]

I'm running with 8 links loose with the rotary latches. Tongue weight is around 800 lbs and camper is about 8000 lbs.

[tlambert]

That is where I'm at. My TT is less than 7k. Seems good was just curious.


Tim