Hi! We just bought a 2012 Flagstaff 246D pop-up (with slide), to pull behind our 2015 Toyota Highlander. Well within weight limits, etc. However, in bringing it home, it does begin to sway when I get to about 62 MPH. I can imagine it to be much worse if I get a big 18-wheeler passing us.Although I know that I don't *need* a sway-control system, I'd much prefer the most controlled tow possible. I bought, but not yet installed, a Camco Adjustable Sway control. However, the salesman told us that we must disconnect it before ever going into reverse. The more I thought about that, the most useless it seemed to me. I can't imagine always remembering to disconnect it, or finding myself in a quick pinch and having to get out of the vehicle to disconnect it before doing any backing up.So, I thought I'd check to see if there is a reasonable sway-control that does not have such a restriction. The item I bought was less than $100, and it returnable. I don't mind spending a few hundred (or more) if it will work well, allow reverse, and not be difficult to hitch/unhitch.Any recommendations would be *greatly* appreciated.

I suspect that you don't have enough hitch weight. Weight the entire trailer and then weigh it at the ball. You should have nearly 15% on the ball.You don't have to remove the sway control unless you are turning at a sharp angle.But, take it back and get one at Harbor Freight for 1/4 as much.

1. Check your (loaded) hitch weight. It should be between 10% and 15% of the total trailer weight (loaded). If you had sway, that would suggest too little hitch weight.2. I used an Andersen No-Sway weight-distributing hitch for a season with my previous 16' TT and I liked it. When I sold the TT, the buyer wanted the Andersen too. Towing with it was very solid and it reduced the up-down jiggle (from the tongue levering the ball up and down over bumps) about 80%. It is only about 70 lbs and uses tensioned chains rather than heavy bars. No need to disconnect anything for backing up or maneuvering. It was very easy to stow when not in use, too.Genuine, dangerous 'sway' is when the trailer oscillates wildly and uncontrollably behind the tow vehicle. A mild, occasional side-to-side movement that quickly dampens out is not too concerning. But if the motion is constant, like a dog's wagging tail, that is something to diagnose and put a stop to.

The sway control does not know or care whether your rig is going forward or backward.Most sway controls do have less range of motion than the trailer ball to coupler connection. If you jacknife the rig while reversing it's possible to damage the SC by over extension or compression.Back up all you want to, just don't make any excessively tight turns in reverse without removing it.

Ductape wrote:The sway control does not know or care whether your rig is going forward or backward.Most sway controls do have less range of motion than the trailer ball to coupler connection. If you jacknife the rig while reversing it's possible to damage the SC by over extension or compression.Back up all you want to, just don't make any excessively tight turns in reverse without removing it.All very true. Any angle you can safely achieve going forward, you can do the same backward.Some hitches have a disclaimer against backing because people are much more inclined to jack-knife reversing than turn too tightly going forward.

Times two with the suggestion of the Andersen WD hitch. I love mine and it has grown with me. Previous trailer was 24 feet long and 4800 pounds and my new one is 26 feet long and 7200 pounds. I've met convoys of semis (10 long) and trailer never even swayed an inch. Also no need to unhook to go into reverse

Sway Control That Allows Reverse for Pop-Up? | Good Sam Community

25 Replies

kayakcrazy
Explorer
Apr 03, 2015
Times two with the suggestion of the Andersen WD hitch. I love mine and it has grown with me. Previous trailer was 24 feet long and 4800 pounds and my new one is 26 feet long and 7200 pounds. I've met convoys of semis (10 long) and trailer never even swayed an inch. Also no need to unhook to go into reverse
ScottG
Nomad
Apr 03, 2015
Ductape wrote:
The sway control does not know or care whether your rig is going forward or backward.

Most sway controls do have less range of motion than the trailer ball to coupler connection. If you jacknife the rig while reversing it's possible to damage the SC by over extension or compression.

Back up all you want to, just don't make any excessively tight turns in reverse without removing it.

All very true.
Any angle you can safely achieve going forward, you can do the same backward.
Some hitches have a disclaimer against backing because people are much more inclined to jack-knife reversing than turn too tightly going forward.
Ductape
Explorer
Apr 02, 2015
The sway control does not know or care whether your rig is going forward or backward.

Most sway controls do have less range of motion than the trailer ball to coupler connection. If you jacknife the rig while reversing it's possible to damage the SC by over extension or compression.

Back up all you want to, just don't make any excessively tight turns in reverse without removing it.
rexlion
Explorer
Apr 02, 2015
1. Check your (loaded) hitch weight. It should be between 10% and 15% of the total trailer weight (loaded). If you had sway, that would suggest too little hitch weight.

2. I used an Andersen No-Sway weight-distributing hitch for a season with my previous 16' TT and I liked it. When I sold the TT, the buyer wanted the Andersen too. Towing with it was very solid and it reduced the up-down jiggle (from the tongue levering the ball up and down over bumps) about 80%. It is only about 70 lbs and uses tensioned chains rather than heavy bars. No need to disconnect anything for backing up or maneuvering. It was very easy to stow when not in use, too.

Genuine, dangerous 'sway' is when the trailer oscillates wildly and uncontrollably behind the tow vehicle. A mild, occasional side-to-side movement that quickly dampens out is not too concerning. But if the motion is constant, like a dog's wagging tail, that is something to diagnose and put a stop to.
Lynnmor
Explorer
Apr 02, 2015
I suspect that you don't have enough hitch weight. Weight the entire trailer and then weigh it at the ball. You should have nearly 15% on the ball.

You don't have to remove the sway control unless you are turning at a sharp angle.

But, take it back and get one at Harbor Freight for 1/4 as much.

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Sway Control That Allows Reverse for Pop-Up?

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