Eating Crow - the "new" Blue Ox Sway Pro

charles_cincy wrote:


But I'm curious as to rather or not anyone has figured out why the Blue Ox provides anti-sway when old chain WDH didn't.

Additionally, it seems interesting that the new Husky Centerline TS seems to be using similar principles as the current Blue Ox Swaypro.
http://www.huskytow.com/product/husky-centerline-ts/

The TS doesn't appear to have the compression cylinder that provided the restorative forces to the original. The TS also appears to have a fixed head.

Hi Charles,

Thanks for linking this in. The TS system is new for Husky. It is so new that it seems the only technical info is in the instructions.

If you put 32218 (1,200# system) in the instruction box and hit go, it will down load the instructions.

http://www.huskytow.com/product-support/?itemNumber=32218

Husky is combining concepts of the Equal-I-zer hitch with the castering effect of the Blue Ox and Husky's tweaks on the hitch head, WD bars and the setup of the hitch unique to Husky.

Some observations:

Husky is using the trunnion sockets for high friction. Blue Ox use to have this years ago but then change on the latest Sway Pro redesign.

Husky is still stating to use the "equal squat" front and rear fenders as the correct method for setting up WD on the hitch.

Husky wrote:
The tow vehicle should settle evenly front to back. The rear fender should not settle lower than the front fender, if it has then you will need to either raise the lift brackets 1 hole or add a hardened washer under the large head tilt pin on the head assembly. The frame mark should be 1/4”-1” max higher than the original measurement noted on page 4, section 3.

They are also wanting the trailer nose 1/4" to 1" max high as better then level or as opposed to 1/4 high to 1/2" slightly lower. This equal squat setup seems to more mimic years ago setting of the WD hitches. Seems they have not caught up with the latest SAE thoughts on understeer of the truck with less then full FALR (front axle load restoration) Or at least to return the front end to unhitched height.

I must say, the directions are very good for presenting their thoughts. Good diagrams and text with parts breakdown and part numbers.

Husky gives a limited lifetime warranty to the original purchaser as long as it is not commercial use, then only 90 days

They are using high friction in the hitch head with 3/4" grade 5 bolts and not wanting grease on the top and bottom of the trunnion socket. Only the pivot pin. Those 3/4" bolts are torqued to 150 ft lb and not stated to be an adjustment. Just 1 set torque.

Husky wrote:

The 3/4” trunnion hex bolts come lubricated from the factory re-lubricate if needed with bearing/axle grease. Do not apply lubrication to the friction surfaces of the top and bottom plates or on the top or bottom trunnion surfaces as this will reduce the built in friction sway feature.

After 500 miles:
Check the tightness of the 3/4” trunnion hex bolts with a torque wrench. The torque is 150 ft. lbs.

Husky includes the tow ball pre-torqued in place. And several times states you do not have to buy the special socket to use with it. That sounds like an advantage towards Equal-I-zer where the owner has to deal with the high torque of the tow ball and special socket.

The Husky has a tilt-able head if needed to assist with WD setting. The Sway Pro is fixed.

Both the Sway Pro and the Husky TS are using the trunnion lugs on an angle to create a so called castering effect which I do not myself know exactly how effective that is in controlling sway. I have not read or seen how effective that works in preventing sway. If anyone else has, please post.

The Husky TS is using round and then tapered WD bars, different then the Equal-I-zer and different then the new Sway Pro. These are more like the old Sway Pro. I see they are using a through pin and spring clip to hold the WD bars in. Simple, proven, easy to fix if you loose the pin. A different method then the Sway Pro. Not that the Sway Pro is bad, just different.

Overall, the Husky TS looks like a good hitch. Some thoughts on the Husky TS yet to be proven by use.

- The Husky TS should give equal too or better than anti-sway performance then the principals of the Equal-I-izer. (more trunnion lug friction).
- The Husky TS should/may have equal too or better anti-sway performance then the principals of the Sway Pro. (has friction in the hitch head and L brackets).
- The Husky TS gives you more fine settings of the WD on the truck with a tilting head then the new Sway Pro which is fixed.
- The Husky TS seems to only go up to 1,200#. To get to 1,400 you need the Husky HD Centerline.
- It "appears" (call to verify) that the hitch head and L brackets are all sized the same from 400# to 1,200#. Only the WD bars are different. This may mean, if you upgrade trailers to a heavier or light, you just change WD bars. This is an upgrade over the Equal-I-zer.
- I myself do not like their concept of how proper WD is declared on the truck, however they give you the ability to adjust it as you want too.

Husky should have a winner with this TS hitch and it overcomes some of the drawbacks of the prior Centerline HD unit.

Again, thank for the link. I had not seen that yet.

John