Types of sway control

Thanks all. The reason I ask is that I'd like to understand how different hitches feel.

I've personally owned and used the following setups:

• 2006 Jeep Liberty CRD + Rockwood 2605 + Hensley Arrow
• 2006 Toyota Tundra regular cab + North Trail 21FBS + ProPride 3P

Both hitches handled and felt incredibly well in all conditions. Even with the short wheelbase on the CRD, there wasn't the slightest perceptible sway, ever.

These days, I have a 2006 GMC Yukon XL Denali, which is simply a half-ton Suburban in sharper digs. We're planning to buy a Jayco Jayfeather X23F this fall. As much as I'd love the one-finger confidence of a 4-bar linkage hitch again, it's probably overkill on this setup.

I was planning on using a Blue Ox SwayPro, but I've read of nervousness on-center due to no forces applied there. That got me wondering how different sway control approaches feel - on the highway, in town, backing into campsites, etc.

What hitch do you use, and how does it feel?

downtheroad wrote:
The first defence against sway is:
a properly set up tongue weight and a balanced trailer....

True. But in an imperfect world, it's best to be prepared with a good hitch system that controls sway should it occur.

Even starting out with a properly set up tongue weight and a well balanced trailer doesn't mean it will stay that way while traveling.

Example: Starting out with a full tank of fresh water, consuming it along the way will redistribute a lot of weight from the fresh water tank to the black and grey tanks located in different areas of the TT. There goes a perfectly balanced set up.

Road conditions, weather conditions, and emergency maneuvers could also induce unexpected trailer sway, no matter the proper set up.

You just about have it. The only thing missing is that there are sway controls that can be turned off and allow you to retain weight distribution. Those are the friction sway control arms that are added on to a standard weight distribution hitch that are made by just about everyone.

That really only matters if you may be towing in slick conditions such as dirt roads, gravel roads, or icy roads. It is pretty nice to be able to retain weight distribution and have the option to remove the sway control.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

Thanks for the responses! Those are indeed additional aspects of sway control. I've edited my first post to clarify that I am specifically asking about hitches.

Spread axle is supposed to prevent sway too

The first defence against sway is:
a properly set up tongue weight and a balanced trailer....

With proper loading and GM's StabiliTrak and Trailer Sway Control, I haven't needed anything else.