Friction anti-sway device use in rain or wet roads
So; when trailering in the rain while using the friction anti-sway device, should I loosen or tighten this thing?
Forum Discussion
"In a word...no, it shouldn't be required to safely tow."
Is that consensus or is that controversial? I found this in another forum:
======================================
Now a lot of people say the sway control isn't necessary, and they're right. Neither are seat belts, air bags, trailer brakes, etc. "necessary". They only become important when you need them. Having been an RVer for many years, I lost count of the number of RVers I visited with who had a brand new rig and I learned they had a new rig because they wrecked their previous one. Almost without exception they said their dealer didn't tell them about sway controls until after they wrecked their first rig. But you can bet every one of them had a sway control on the new rig.
(..)
Of course, I drove vehicles for years with no seat belts, no air bags, no power steering, no power brakes, no anti-lock brakes, etc. I'm not saying a sway control is an absolute necessity, but it sure does add to the safety factor.
Source: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/trailers-transportation/119803-weight-distributing-hitch-questions-more-2.html
======================================
And I found this:
======================================
Sway control is designed to be used in situations where the trailer sways under adverse conditions such as high winds or when large vehicles are passing causing the trailer to become unstable. Sway control also helps if you have to maneuver suddenly. Also if the trailer has a low tongue weight percentage the sway control can help to a point, but a weight distribution system will help more with this situation.
The best solution for sway that is present without the above mentioned adverse conditions is proper trailer loading. Your trailers tongue weight should be 10 to 15 percent of the gross trailer weight, loaded and ready to travel. Sway control provides a level of safety for situations that can cause the trailer to become unstable.
Source: http://www.etrailer.com/question-6461.html
======================================
As a newbie, I want all the safety buffer I can afford. I look at this in three steps:
* No sway control, no safety buffer beyond proper loading/driving/tires/etc.
* Friction sway control, can't use in rain, therefore no extra safety buffer in rain, just have to slow down if it starts swaying.
* Cam action sway control, which gives you a buffer you can use in all conditions, but is much more pricey.
Is that accurate?
Is that consensus or is that controversial? I found this in another forum:
======================================
Now a lot of people say the sway control isn't necessary, and they're right. Neither are seat belts, air bags, trailer brakes, etc. "necessary". They only become important when you need them. Having been an RVer for many years, I lost count of the number of RVers I visited with who had a brand new rig and I learned they had a new rig because they wrecked their previous one. Almost without exception they said their dealer didn't tell them about sway controls until after they wrecked their first rig. But you can bet every one of them had a sway control on the new rig.
(..)
Of course, I drove vehicles for years with no seat belts, no air bags, no power steering, no power brakes, no anti-lock brakes, etc. I'm not saying a sway control is an absolute necessity, but it sure does add to the safety factor.
Source: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/trailers-transportation/119803-weight-distributing-hitch-questions-more-2.html
======================================
And I found this:
======================================
Sway control is designed to be used in situations where the trailer sways under adverse conditions such as high winds or when large vehicles are passing causing the trailer to become unstable. Sway control also helps if you have to maneuver suddenly. Also if the trailer has a low tongue weight percentage the sway control can help to a point, but a weight distribution system will help more with this situation.
The best solution for sway that is present without the above mentioned adverse conditions is proper trailer loading. Your trailers tongue weight should be 10 to 15 percent of the gross trailer weight, loaded and ready to travel. Sway control provides a level of safety for situations that can cause the trailer to become unstable.
Source: http://www.etrailer.com/question-6461.html
======================================
As a newbie, I want all the safety buffer I can afford. I look at this in three steps:
* No sway control, no safety buffer beyond proper loading/driving/tires/etc.
* Friction sway control, can't use in rain, therefore no extra safety buffer in rain, just have to slow down if it starts swaying.
* Cam action sway control, which gives you a buffer you can use in all conditions, but is much more pricey.
Is that accurate?
