Quick question for the guys using Blue Ox hitches.

[redcloud1]

I just had new tires put on our Windjammer today and they did make a big difference in the way that it tows. My quick question is according to Blue Ox set up instructions the truck and trailer should be level when hitch is set up properly am I correct in this assumption? Because when I'm sitting on level ground and my chains are in the tenth link the front of the trailer is low they are not sitting level. Is this helping contribute to my sway problem?

[RSchleder]

I have the Sway Pro and tow a 33' TT with my Ram Laramie 1500. My truck has 4 corner air suspension which I felt was a must have when I ordered the truck.
Most folks will tell you that your trailer should be slightly lower in the front when being towed and your truck level. Also, when you tighten your chains, raise the front of the trailer (with the truck hitched) several inches with the tongue jack. Now, tighten your chains to the degree that when in the normal traveling mode, your bars are parallel with the trailer tongue. This takes a bit of strength on your part to rotate the mechanism. I do not use the flat tool supplied by Blue Ox, I use a long breaker bar with a 4" extension and the proper sized socket to ratchet my mechanism until it latches (snaps). I end up with 2 1/2 chain lengths showing from the side after I'm locked in. I believe if you follow these guidelines you'll be happy with your setup.

PS- don't hesitate to PM me if I can be of any additional assistance.

[dpowli]

I installed my new swaypro yesterday. The following is from the manufacturer.

If the trailer is not level, determine how much and in which direction. Each hole raises or lowers the front of the trailer 1-1/2”. Level the trailer by:
A. Support the weight of the trailer tongue with the trailer jack
B. Unlock the rotating latch bracket and release the spring bar tension on the chains
C. Uncouple the trailer.
D. Remove the 3/4” fasteners from the hitch head
E. Move the hitch head on the receiver hitch mount either up to raise the front of the trailer or down to lower the trailer
F. Replace the 3/4” fasteners in the appropriate holes and torque to 257 ft/lbs
G. Couple the trailer to the hitch
H. Support the weight of the trailer tongue with the trailer jack
I. Reapply the spring bar tension on the chains by using the wrench to rotate the rotating latches in a clockwise direction until the lock pin engages in the lock pin hole
J. Lower the front of the trailer allowing the tongue weight of the trailer to be supported by the towing vehicle
Repeat the above steps until the trailer is level.

I also can find no reference stating that the equalilizer bars should be parallel. Choose the chain link brings your front fender height close to the height when truck is not hitched. For me, the recommendation of hooking the ninth link from the end worked out perfectly. Good luck.

[redcloud1]

For me I have to go into the tent link

[Bigfeet]

What weight of bars are you using? Blue Ox literature show's 3 1/2 link's when hooked up.

[dpowli]

I have 3 1/2 links showing under the rotary brackets. This is accomplished by hooking the ninth chain link from the end into the rotating bracket before rotating into position. Hope this makes sense.
I am using 1500 lb bars.

[redcloud1]

I've experimented using the ninth Link and the 10th link and it pulled mine better with it in the 10th link. I just put for load range e tires on the trailer and that made a big difference in the way it pulls I can actually get up to almost 65 mile an hour now without the trailer feeling like it's going to go all over the place

[FrankG]

It took me 4 try's to get the setup right. now that it is right I can tow at any highway speed, trucks right or left it doesn't matter, no sway no pull.
Here are the steps. First do the math, and stay within the vehicle's limits. Know your tong weight. Tires properly inflated. The hitch ball should be 1 to 2 inches higher than the cupler on the level trailer. Now that everything is ready to hook-up and you have the proper bars for the tong weight, hook it up. My setup requires the 8th link resulting in 3 full links showing. It is very important that the chains are straight up and down when the truck and trailer are in a straight line. To make sure you are properly distributing the weight to the tow vehicle do the following: measure the distance from the ground to the front wheel well opening. this measurement should be the same with or without the trailer. You adjust the chain links to get it right. The rear will always be down some.

I hope something in the above ramblings helps.

[LandJ]

What size bars are you using? My chains are on the 6th link and I have 1000lbs bars. The dealer originally sold me 750lbs bars, but after talking to Blue Ox, they advised that I needed heavier bars.