Forum Discussion

Mikesr's avatar
Mikesr
Explorer
May 26, 2017

Blue Ox Sway Pro

Just took delivery on a new TT that weighs 8400# and has a tongue weight just under 1000#
Towing with a Chevy 2500HD 6.0 gas
Previous camper setup we used an Equalizer brand WDH and no issues with a slightly less weight camper,
Worked a deal on the Blue Ox Sway Pro with the new camper. Installed by a very reputable dealer and service center. Service tech even took it for a test drive to adjust the brake controller setting.
Camper is empty, no water and only full propane tanks.
Here's the problem. At speeds above 55 MPH the steering wheels of the TV seems sloppy like it's dancing back and forth and the TT has some slight sway.
I've towed several TT's over the past 2 decades but nothing with sway and lack of steering like this.
Anyone with a Blue Ox have any suggestions?
Unhitching when we got back from the dealer was a challenge, not sure if we had too much tension on the bars or not enough. It seemed like I had to raise the back of the TV way higher then normal to relieve enough tension to release the cam and chain.
I need some input from a seasoned Blue Ox user.
Thanks in advance and have a nice Memorial Day weekend
  • camperforlife wrote:

    One more thing, if you have traction control control on your truck, they recommend turning it off as it fights with the anti sway properties of the hitch.


    Thanks I didn't know that.

    Jim
  • Blue Ox owner here. Good advice so far. I too was sold 1000lb bars with my trailer and experienced what you describe. I weighed my tongue when loaded and was at 1350. Dealer wasn't a lot of help swapping for 1500lb bars so I called Blue Ox and they swapped them no problem.

    You should be hooking the chains on the 9th link. You can go up another link or two if needed. Make sure you have a good strong tongue jack to take the load off the bars before unhooking, they will snap the provided wrench right out of your hand. That is why most of us use a socket and breaker bar. If the release lever is hard to release you need to lift the jack to take more weight off before you release the bars.

    One more thing, if you have traction control control on your truck, they recommend turning it off as it fights with the anti sway properties of the hitch.
  • As downtheroad mentioned, I would check the weight rating on the bars. BlueOx bar ratings jump from 1000 to 1500 lbs. You're pushing 1000 lbs tongue weight with empty trailer. If the dealer set you up with 1000 lb bars, they may not be transferring enough weight. The model number for the 1500 lb hitch is BXW1500.

    Other possibility could be, the hitch ball is set too high, or, maybe a defect in the hitch.

    My tongue weight fluctuates between 975 and 1200 lbs. I have the 1500 lb bars. First time towing (right after initial install), I actually had a bar crack. I called BlueOx and sent them pictures of the bent / cracked bar. They sent a new set of bars, overnight. Been three years now, without an issue.

    Ditto on the long handled ratchet and a deep socket.
  • Blue Ox user here...and a big fan of it.
    (previous hitches include Equal-i-zer and Reece Dual Cam)

    Sounds like you have some under steer...not enough transfer to the front wheels. What weight bars did the dealer set you up with?
    Our trailer has a gross weight of 10,000 lbs and we have the 1400 lb. bars.

    Don't be afraid to put A LOT of tension on the bars. They are designed for that and it's how they transfer weight and how they control sway.
    You really need to load your trailer trip ready to get a feel for how it will behave.

    The little wrench that came with the hitch is worthless. Get a 24 in. ratcheting breaker bar (Harbor Freight) for hooking and unhooking the chains.

    Again, I really like the Blue Ox. I get no sway at all in lots of conditions and many many miles since we got it.