Good and Bad about Blue Ox Sway Pro

Finally curiosity has me look at that setup

They do say there is friction built into the trunnion bars and assume in the
socket end, but do NOT see any adjustment methods, as with 'most' friction materials,
it is a consumable, therefore needs adjustment (think of your brakes)

If there is an adjustment, it is not clearly visible here and must be on the
bottom side of the trunnion socket

Blue Ox Sway Pro wrote:

Built-In Friction Sway Control

The SwayPro offers four points of built-in sway control. Within the head assembly, the trunnions are designed to hold the spring bars securely in position, placing just enough tension on them to cause them to constantly force your trailer in line. At the other end of this weight-distribution system, the rotating brackets ensure that the lift chains are pulled as taut as possible. In addition, the basic design of the brackets keeps much of the length of the lift chains wrapped up inside of the brackets. Typically, only a couple of links hang down from each bracket. So each chain is held more stable than in traditional weight-distribution systems, where more than twice as many links are exposed. This tight, stable design limits the movement of the spring bars so that they can exert more force on your trailer to effectively keep it from shifting side to side. Furthermore, unlike other friction-style sway controls, this system allows you to back up your trailer without having to remove or disengage the system.

Do like their chain tensioning system, but there is a potential weakness


That is the over the top clamp bracket does not seem to have any fastening method
other than the down force from the chain tension. Anyone know if there is a
fastening system not seen in this image above?

How is it held in place from sliding along the tongue member? A few
have reported that their Andersen brackets to the tongue moved either
from just towing or encountering a bump or some such...they had lost
lots of their WD'ing when that happened

Otherwise can see a potential for it to come off during a who'd-doo

Their castings seem much cleaner than most other brands I've seen, but this too
has small cross sections and wonder how stout over time

Don't see any provision to grease the moving joints and wonder how they are
greased, if at all

Think rust catcher in this shank, as that gusset welded on has voids that will
catch and hold H2O to rust. Maybe they dunked it into a anti-corrosion whatever
after welding that has that stuff protecting the non-welded areas


Since this hitch head has a cast in tilt, wonder how many links are left showing
and that maybe part of their sway control...holding or resisting side to side
movement

After checking it out, am not interested...

Thanks!

uprighter wrote:
I too am considering the blue ox sway pro. Anybody out there able to explain the difference between standard vs. underslung coupler?

Types of couplers.
Barney

Francesca Knowles wrote:
A w/d hitch with chains doesn't have sway control- for that you need one like the Equalizer or Blue Ox, which has rigid bars where the chains would be.

Of course, with properly sized/inflated tires, the correct load distribution, and the correct speed one doesn't need mechanical sway controls at all!

As is well known throughout most of the trailering world EXCEPT in North America...

Until you get into a 30mph crosswind.

I too am considering the blue ox sway pro. Anybody out there able to explain the difference between standard vs. underslung coupler?

I have the "old" style Sway Pro. Clean, quiet, simple, and effective. The head is heavy. I use the electric jack to raise the pickup and set the chains by hand, no strain. Been happy with it for over 5 years. Good luck.

Francesca Knowles wrote:
A w/d hitch with chains doesn't have sway control- for that you need one like the Equalizer or Blue Ox, which has rigid bars where the chains would be.

Of course, with properly sized/inflated tires, the correct load distribution, and the correct speed one doesn't need mechanical sway controls at all!

As is well known throughout most of the trailering world EXCEPT in North America...

What he said. True.

Francesca Knowles wrote:
A w/d hitch with chains doesn't have sway control- for that you need one like the Equalizer or Blue Ox, which has rigid bars where the chains would be.

Of course, with properly sized/inflated tires, the correct load distribution, and the correct speed one doesn't need mechanical sway controls at all!

As is well known throughout most of the trailering world EXCEPT in North America...

For the new members who are just getting into trailering, just about every word in the above quote is in error. Please do not take what was posted as the anything close to the truth.
Barney

Be aware they changed the design recently. The head no longer has any sway control and the head tilt is no longer adjustable. It used to be a very nice design, I think they really messed it up with the "new" design. From talking with them it was to simplify things for the consumer, I think it was to save money on their end even though it costs the same. I sent ours back when I couldnt find anyone with the old design in stock.

Cons Heavy, cost a lot. Equi-lizer unit should work fine with your rig.