sway bars

[blucat1953]

At what trailer weight, specifically bumper pull, do the friction bar sway controls become ineffective? Any substitutes for 13k toy hauler/ Thank you.

[clarkbre]

This question is really unanswerable because there are too many variables involved. There is no magic "safe weight" that will make it better or worse.

Factors that affect sway and control between the tow vehicle and trailer:

• The trailer's tongue weight in proportion to the trailer's GVW
• The length and weight of the trailer in comparison to the tow vehicle
• WDH proper set up and tuning for coupler height and redistributing the weight off the TV's rear axle and returning pressure to the steer axle and trailer axle(s)
• Speed
• Weather conditions (ie: wind)
• The mass of the tow vehicle

In general, the best starting point is to ensure that your tongue weight is between 10% - 15% of the trailer's GVW. This alone will help greatly on whether or not the trailer will naturally want to sway.

[llr]

don't think anyone can give a set point.

In my opinion the closer you are to your towing limits the more important integrated sway control becomes.

Is that 13K the weight? If so I would use use integrated control like the Blue Ox sway pro I use. Other ones are good but I don't know if they have the capacity for that weight.

[upflying]

Tell us more abut your trailer sway problem.

[SeaDog]

A good share of folks with friction control sway devices that still get some sway when their rigs are loaded properly have failed to tighten the devices properly. there is also the option on adding a second device. I learned a long time ago to tighten the sway control really tight beyond what I initially thought it should be.

[007matman]

All I can contribute here is that when pulling an almost 8K trailer, I got along the best with a Trunnion-style hitch. The Cain and friction-bar hitch the trailer came with was lacking performance.


I use a Fastway E2, but the Equal-i-zer P4 and Andersen (which uses a different type of sway control) are also good hitches.

[clarkbre]

Originally Posted by 007matman

......
I use a Fastway E2, but the Equal-i-zer P4 and Andersen (which uses a different type of sway control) are also good hitches.

The Husky Centerline TS is a very close equal to the Equalizer P4. 7500 miles and it's provided a very good towing experience at a very fair price.

[007matman]

Originally Posted by clarkbre

The Husky Centerline TS is a very close equal to the Equalizer P4. 7500 miles and it's provided a very good towing experience at a very fair price.

Hmm haven't looked much at that one. Appears to be a trunnion-style so that makes sense.

[blucat1953]

The WDH I'm using levels out the vehicles just fine. Only have the issues with semi trucks. Just looking to tone that down a little.

[Larry0071]

So you need a sway control WDH, any of those mentioned above make a massive change over using a WDH alone. I tried to pull my 28' box, 33' overall length Apex with just my WDH. No good. I went on FB Marketplace and CL and found an Equalizer 4 point sway control used for $350 and grabbed it. I was reluctant to do so, and I was very skeptical. Yep. Not any more! I am converted! It is life changing!

[MR.M]

Originally Posted by blucat1953

At what trailer weight, specifically bumper pull, do the friction bar sway controls become ineffective? Any substitutes for 13k toy hauler/ Thank you.

What's your truck ? must be large enough for the 13,000 and the tw included with that . if so try the Andersen works well for me no sway great company though my TH is only 9300 loaded

[007matman]

Originally Posted by blucat1953

The WDH I'm using levels out the vehicles just fine. Only have the issues with semi trucks. Just looking to tone that down a little.

The trunnion-style hitches use the weight of the camper along with the tension that's on the bars to eliminate sway. They do this through having a friction contact on both sides of the camper that is low and next to the frame.

Completely different animal from the chain-style with snap down brackets that you're used to.

[madatme]

X2

Originally Posted by clarkbre

The Husky Centerline TS is a very close equal to the Equalizer P4. 7500 miles and it's provided a very good towing experience at a very fair price.

[thebrakeman]

It seems like back in the day, there would have been a point where it would be recommended to add a 2nd friction sway controller on the other side. But when I was using a single sway controller for my previous camper (popup behind a minivan), I don't remember reading anything in the instructions about it.


I would suspect it's simply a matter of trial and error. I assume you already have a chain-style WDH, and want to add sway control? Try a single unit and see if it does what you need. If not, get a second unit on the other side.


But yeah, the WDH kits with integrated sway control are nice to have, if you can handle another expenditure.

[007matman]

Originally Posted by thebrakeman

It seems like back in the day, there would have been a point where it would be recommended to add a 2nd friction sway controller on the other side. But when I was using a single sway controller for my previous camper (popup behind a minivan), I don't remember reading anything in the instructions about it.


I would suspect it's simply a matter of trial and error. I assume you already have a chain-style WDH, and want to add sway control? Try a single unit and see if it does what you need. If not, get a second unit on the other side.


But yeah, the WDH kits with integrated sway control are nice to have, if you can handle another expenditure.

Buy a used one..

I've got a Fastway E2 for sale right now for $250. I'm sure I'm not the only one for sale.

If you live in the North Georgia metro area I'd be happy to sell. [emoji6]

[Larry0071]

Originally Posted by 007matman

Buy a used one..

I've got a Fastway E2 for sale right now for $250. I'm sure I'm not the only one for sale.

If you live in the North Georgia metro area I'd be happy to sell. [emoji6]

Yep, I found my Equal-Izer 10K lb set up on FB marketplace for $350. Half price, the buyer and me, the seller were happy.

I even called them and had all new stickers sent so that I could repaint the parts and apply shiny new labels.