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DinTulsa's avatar
DinTulsa
Explorer
May 30, 2016

Blue Ox Sway Pro wear mark

For those with a Blue Ox Sway Pro system, Is your chain digging into the rotating bracket? The metal bracket where the chain sits when traveling has a cradle or a saddle where you can see the chain is harder than the bracket and digging in. I'll post pics later today when I'm stop by and check on the rv. Does anyone else's hitch show this wear?

Thanks

10 Replies

  • I have 1500lb bars and around 1350lbs in tongue weight. I have my 9th link in the saddle or 10th link if I am really loaded in the back of my truck. If I have anything in my front hitch mount (bikes, carrier, etc.) then I usually sit at the 9th link regardless of whats in my bed.

    Slight wear on the u-bolts and just some markings on my latches. Close to 6k in towing over the past 3 years that I've had it. Great system and I would recommend in a heartbeat for larger trailers.
  • Community Alumni's avatar
    Community Alumni
    I haven't noticed similar wear marks on my latches. I've had two different sets of latches. The previous set was replaced because it began to rust a little to quickly for my liking.
  • Dcarner wrote:
    Thanks for the info. I have to be in link 11 before I have most of the weight back on the front axle. Link 10 on the chain rides pretty good but still has some bounce, 11 seems like it locks things up and stabilizes everything great.

    Link 9 is soft and spongy and the trailer doesn't track as well. I have a 1250lb tongue weight and 1500lb bars.


    When ever you have time, measure the height of the ball vs the TT coupler, make sure ball is 1-2" higher than the coupler.

    Also to make it easier on my back - i bought a 24" breaker bar with a 1" socket - now i can turn the bracket and chain a lot easier than using the wrench that comes with the unit.
  • FWIW my U-bolts are worn too and I plan on replacing them soon. I have not noticed wear in the brackets, but I haven't looked either!
  • 9 just doesn't do it for my truck. I have a 2012 f250 and with 9 with just feels bouncy and sags quite a bit. Some of it could be that my f250 sits almost low in the rear from the factory(it doesn't sit rear high like the ram/Chevy) so it take 10-11 to bring it back close to level.

    My bar deflection

  • Haven't noticed any wear on mine yet. Only been out for I think 6 trips total thus far.

    Set on link 9 in the saddle, 1500lb bars, 1280 tongue weight.

    Mike
  • Thanks for the info. I have to be in link 11 before I have most of the weight back on the front axle. Link 10 on the chain rides pretty good but still has some bounce, 11 seems like it locks things up and stabilizes everything great.

    Link 9 is soft and spongy and the trailer doesn't track as well. I have a 1250lb tongue weight and 1500lb bars.
  • My rotating brackets are in fact showing wear marks where the chain applies it's load. Based on about 30K miles now of towing, and looking at how much it has worn, I would guesstimate somewhere between 150K to 200K miles to the point of wearing it out.
    The U-bolts however appear to be the first things that will have to be replaced.

  • Our Blue Ox is relatively new also. 3 fully loaded camping trips.
    1500 lb bars, 9th link in the saddle slot.
    No wear so far.
    Make sure you are getting the chain link completely seated into the saddle before you tension up.

    Great hitch so far.
  • My sway pro is relatively new we got it in March. I have wear on the saddle already but not to be concerned. I have 1500# bars and dialed on link 9 on the saddle (10 in the groove or slot - all depends how you count the links) also the ball is 1.5inches higher than the trailer. I also noticed some wear on the bars where the bars and pivots touch when in tension. I will be towing again next week and will check for new markings. Who set your WD? Also contact -
    Marty Prokop
    Technical Service Agent, Customer Relations
    Office: 402-385-3051 | Direct 402-385-2853
    One Mill Road, PO Box 430, Pender, NE 68047

    www.blueox.com

    I gave Marty a call after my first trip, it was not a pleasant ride after the dealer installed my WD - Marty gave the right advice .

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