This may open a Pandora's box and bring down a lot of criticism on my head but the question really remains a valid one I believe.Are Anti Sway bars (Like the Hensley) really necessary or a crutch for those that either cant drive a trailer effectively or have an out of balance rig? Are they a multi million dollar business out to convince you you really need one when you dont OR are they really filling a needed gap in TT towing safety?First a little background: Despite my newness to this site, I have been towing trailers on and off most of my life (a good 45 years of driving) and towed everything from a small U-Haul to a 53 footer with a GVW of 80,000lbs. I have held a Class A CDL with endorsements for Doubles, Triples and Tankers for over 20 years and owned my own trucking company (10 trucks/25 trailers doing logistics) I have for a good share of my life lived overseas where I have seen every possible combination of tow vehicles and trailers most of which most Americans would be horrified to think actually are driven on the road.No matter what I have towed or with what vehicle I have never felt the need for an Anti-Sway system. Right now I tow my 30 foot Gulfstream Innsbruck with my Dodge 2500 4x4 HD 5.7L Hemi.I'd like to hear the arguments for and against. Are these systems just taking the place of proper training and practice or are they a true necessity? AND do they instill a "False sense of Confidence" when driving an unbalanced or badly loaded Rig?NOTE: I am not trying to be willfully provocative here but am truly interested in your thoughts.

I don't need or require either WD or anti-sway system. I purposely purchased a tow vehicle with extra capacity (2500HD) and tow a trailer that is about 70% of its rating. I have played around with marginal tow vehicles, suspension improvements, tires, fancy hitches, etc. For me, my solution works best.

My 2 cents: I find sway control an absolute necessary and do not use it as a crutch. Even with the sway control I am very careful when I tow. I find it particularly important when I'm passing or being passed by large trucks.I've seen many RVs on the side of the road (in person and on news stories) flipped over and destroyed. An accident caused by out of control sway RV is usually devestating and sometimes lethal.I see similarities between sway control in towing and anti-lock brakes in a car. How many lives and accidents have anti-lock brakes saved since they were placed on cars? I know anti-lock brakes have saved me a few times from losing control and getting into accidents.Keep in mind that just as there are automobile drivers of all experience levels, there are also RVers of all experience level. So just as anti-lock brakes can prevent accidents, anti-sway can prevent accidents. You can call it a crutch, but I look at it as an insurance policy. And I have a lot less white-knuckle driving experiences because of it. And don't tell me the big rigs don't sway. I've seen them on the highways during windy/gusty conditions and they have a difficult time keeping everything between the lane lines!And it isn't like anti-sway control is that outrageously expensive. So to me it is a no-brainer.

I have an F250 and tow a variety of trailers the biggest of which is probably about 6500 lbs. I always use WDH and very often use Sway Control. I can't think of any possible reason why I shouldn't. First of all the WDH improves the ride and replaces weight taken off the front end. A win-win. I don't need the sway control, but it sure doesn't hurt anything being there. What's the harm in using it?

Since I only tow trailers that weigh a lot less than the TVs capacity, I don't really need the WDH. I have towed the TT without them from time to time and don't notice any difference.But as a general rule, I put on the WDH and sway control when I am towing, except when the trip is to the RV dealer that is about 5 miles away. I figure it is an added safety measure.

I'm not sure but, I believe they may be necessary in certain set up's. Now, you are asking about Anti-Sway systems , Weight Distribution Systems are different. If you have a long, heavy, trailer then a Weight Distribution System may be necessary. Like the OP I have towed trailers on the farm all my life and none of them had any system of any kind. I didn't even know such a thing existed until I joined this site. None of my friends use such a thing either. But, we all tow either short light trailer or stay close to home on back roads. I tow a 20 foot trailer that weighs 4580 lbs loaded with a 2004 Chevy 1500 and it towes like a dream. I have no need for anything with this set up.

Anti Sway Systems - Necessary or Marketing Con?

66 Replies

sh410
Explorer
Dec 31, 2014
The hitch receiver on your truck should have two different ratings for tongue weight. One without weight distribution and the other With weight distribution. I'm not sure what yours says but mine says 500# tongue weight without weight distribution and up to 1200# tongue weight with weight distribution.

I'm guessing, but the trailer you towing will probably have a tongue weight that would require a weight distribution hitch. There are weight distribution hitches that have integrated sway control for far less than what a Hensley type hitch would cost that work quite well.

A well balanced truck and trailer should not sway. However having a anti-sway hitch can help when Murphy shows up.
Caveman_Charlie
Explorer II
Dec 31, 2014
I'm not sure but, I believe they may be necessary in certain set up's. Now, you are asking about Anti-Sway systems , Weight Distribution Systems are different. If you have a long, heavy, trailer then a Weight Distribution System may be necessary.

Like the OP I have towed trailers on the farm all my life and none of them had any system of any kind. I didn't even know such a thing existed until I joined this site. None of my friends use such a thing either. But, we all tow either short light trailer or stay close to home on back roads.

I tow a 20 foot trailer that weighs 4580 lbs loaded with a 2004 Chevy 1500 and it towes like a dream. I have no need for anything with this set up.
MFinCA
Explorer
Dec 31, 2014
Since I only tow trailers that weigh a lot less than the TVs capacity, I don't really need the WDH. I have towed the TT without them from time to time and don't notice any difference.

But as a general rule, I put on the WDH and sway control when I am towing, except when the trip is to the RV dealer that is about 5 miles away. I figure it is an added safety measure.
wing_zealot
Explorer
Dec 31, 2014
I have an F250 and tow a variety of trailers the biggest of which is probably about 6500 lbs. I always use WDH and very often use Sway Control. I can't think of any possible reason why I shouldn't. First of all the WDH improves the ride and replaces weight taken off the front end. A win-win. I don't need the sway control, but it sure doesn't hurt anything being there. What's the harm in using it?
Doug33
Explorer
Dec 31, 2014
My 2 cents: I find sway control an absolute necessary and do not use it as a crutch. Even with the sway control I am very careful when I tow. I find it particularly important when I'm passing or being passed by large trucks.

I've seen many RVs on the side of the road (in person and on news stories) flipped over and destroyed. An accident caused by out of control sway RV is usually devestating and sometimes lethal.

I see similarities between sway control in towing and anti-lock brakes in a car. How many lives and accidents have anti-lock brakes saved since they were placed on cars? I know anti-lock brakes have saved me a few times from losing control and getting into accidents.

Keep in mind that just as there are automobile drivers of all experience levels, there are also RVers of all experience level. So just as anti-lock brakes can prevent accidents, anti-sway can prevent accidents. You can call it a crutch, but I look at it as an insurance policy. And I have a lot less white-knuckle driving experiences because of it.

And don't tell me the big rigs don't sway. I've seen them on the highways during windy/gusty conditions and they have a difficult time keeping everything between the lane lines!

And it isn't like anti-sway control is that outrageously expensive. So to me it is a no-brainer.
TomG2
Explorer
Dec 31, 2014
I don't need or require either WD or anti-sway system. I purposely purchased a tow vehicle with extra capacity (2500HD) and tow a trailer that is about 70% of its rating. I have played around with marginal tow vehicles, suspension improvements, tires, fancy hitches, etc. For me, my solution works best.

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Anti Sway Systems - Necessary or Marketing Con?

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