First, I am sorry if this has been asked a lot before but I would like up to date information. My daughter and son-in-law just purchased a new travel trailer. Is there a hitch that controls sway on bridges and when semi's go by better than other hitches?

Lots involved beside the hitch...tow vehicle, tires, tongue weight, trailer load balance, hitch properly set up - to name a few.Lots of good hitches out there. We have had 4 different ones..basic WD hitch, Equal-i-zer, Reece HP Dual Cam and Blue Ox SwayPro that we have now...All did the job, my favorite is the Blue Ox SwayPro for a number of reasons.There are also some very expensive and highly rated ones like ProPride and Hensley - I have no personal experience with these.

Start here....Calculating hitch weight.

We loved our ProPride hitch. It's an excellent hitch. Hensley has a lot of fans as well. Whether your daughter needs one of these premium hitches is dependent on their tow vehicle and trailer. For example we initially had a 30 ft, 7000 lb travel trailer pulled by a Suburban. With a dual cam hitch we were all over the place. Adjusting the hitch was no help. DW refused to go on any more trips unless the problem was fixed. We then splurged and upgraded to the ProPride. Problem solved!

Sorry I did not give enough information. They have a 2017 F150 EcoBoost and their travel trailer is 32 ft. Length 5500 lb. Crossroads Sunset. Thanks for the info already. I appreciate it.

Best hitch | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

Reader1
Explorer
Jan 19, 2017
Thanks for all answers. There are no sway problems but they were wondering about changes in hitches. We talked to the factory rep and know the weight on the camper is accurate. This unit has an aluminum frame. I will pass on the information. Thanks for all your help. This is not their first travel trailer. For the past 4 years they have traveled across the country pulling a Zinger. Unfortunately the end of October they were involved in a rollover accident after hitting a deer which totaled their truck and camper.
RinconVTR
Explorer
Jan 19, 2017
lanerd wrote:
The "best" hitch is the mechanical type such as the Hensley Arrow or Pro Pride (both designed by the same person). These hitches provide weight distribution and sway control. It is advertised that these hitches "eliminate" sway. New cost is approximately $3000.00.

The "better" hitch is the friction type such as the Reese Dual Cam or the Equal-i-zer (brand name). These hitches also provide weight distribution and partial sway control. New cost is approximately $500.00.

The "good" hitch is just a weight distribution unit. No sway control at all. However, you can purchase a separate "friction" type sway control that can bolt onto one of these hitches but does not provide the quality of sway control of either of the two above. New cost is approximately $300 with the separate sway control that cost approximately $100.00.

So, like it was mentioned above, there other other factors to be considered that will help to reduce the possibility of sway. It all boils down to how safe you want to be and what peace of mind you require.

I personally have used all three. Started out with the Husky brand hitch plus the anti-sway bar, then to the Reese Dual Cam and eventually to a "used" Hensley Arrow. With each upgrade, there was a remarkable difference in sway control. I highly recommend you have your kids to skip the "good" and "better" and go straight to the "best".

Hope this helps

Ron

Spoken from someone who clearly has tried all 3 levels of WDH options.

Absolutely agree....Hensley and Propride option is THE top of the line option for towing long trailers with any TV.

I can point you to MANY 1/2 ton owners NOT at all happy towing 30-34' trailers with various WHD options. They bought a Hensley (or Propride) and everything changed. I have two close friends, both F-150 owners, in this except situation. I use one with my Sequoia.

I love to hate them both because they cost 1800-2300 new (DO NOT PAY MORE), have multiple failure points, require more maintenance and one brand has a nutty salesman. But if you want 5th wheel stability from you bumper pull...you have no other option. These are it.
rbpru
Explorer II
Jan 19, 2017
I am a fan of the Blue Ox system. Wind and truck buffs come from the flex at the hitch ball. Busses in particular can create a sustained push on a slow pass.

I am not sure there is much you can do about them, except for a fifth wheel and a dually pick up.

I have never had a issue with sway.
Huntindog
Explorer
Jan 19, 2017
Reader1 wrote:
First, I am sorry if this has been asked a lot before but I would like up to date information. My daughter and son-in-law just purchased a new travel trailer. Is there a hitch that controls sway on bridges and when semi's go by better than other hitches?
The best one for me, may not be the best one for you. Different designs have different advantages, and disadvantages.
camp-n-family
Explorer
Jan 19, 2017
Sure there are some better than others as listed above but any hitch can do the job if the trailer is properly balanced. I think their first problem is thinking that their 32' trailer only weighs 5500lbs. I highly doubt that. Before spending thousands on a hitch I suggest they load it up and head to the scales to get some actual numbers and make sure they have around 13 percent of that weight on the tongue for best stability.

As for getting pushed by passing semis etc, that's not necessarily sway. Sway is an uncontrolled oscillating movement. What they are likely experiencing is the draft or bow wave caused by the semi or strong gusts of wind. No hitch will stop that completely.
TomG2
Explorer
Jan 19, 2017
OP, are you thinking that you will "need" a high end hitch to control sway caused by an inadequate tow vehicle or poorly balanced trailer?
lanerd
Explorer II
Jan 19, 2017
The "best" hitch is the mechanical type such as the Hensley Arrow or Pro Pride (both designed by the same person). These hitches provide weight distribution and sway control. It is advertised that these hitches "eliminate" sway. New cost is approximately $3000.00.

The "better" hitch is the friction type such as the Reese Dual Cam or the Equal-i-zer (brand name). These hitches also provide weight distribution and partial sway control. New cost is approximately $500.00.

The "good" hitch is just a weight distribution unit. No sway control at all. However, you can purchase a separate "friction" type sway control that can bolt onto one of these hitches but does not provide the quality of sway control of either of the two above. New cost is approximately $300 with the separate sway control that cost approximately $100.00.

So, like it was mentioned above, there other other factors to be considered that will help to reduce the possibility of sway. It all boils down to how safe you want to be and what peace of mind you require.

I personally have used all three. Started out with the Husky brand hitch plus the anti-sway bar, then to the Reese Dual Cam and eventually to a "used" Hensley Arrow. With each upgrade, there was a remarkable difference in sway control. I highly recommend you have your kids to skip the "good" and "better" and go straight to the "best".

Hope this helps

Ron
Reader1
Explorer
Jan 18, 2017
Sorry I did not give enough information. They have a 2017 F150 EcoBoost and their travel trailer is 32 ft. Length 5500 lb. Crossroads Sunset. Thanks for the info already. I appreciate it.
Wills6_4_Hemi
Explorer
Jan 18, 2017
Hensley, eliminates sway!!!
Mortimer_Brewst
Explorer II
Jan 18, 2017
We loved our ProPride hitch. It's an excellent hitch. Hensley has a lot of fans as well. Whether your daughter needs one of these premium hitches is dependent on their tow vehicle and trailer. For example we initially had a 30 ft, 7000 lb travel trailer pulled by a Suburban. With a dual cam hitch we were all over the place. Adjusting the hitch was no help. DW refused to go on any more trips unless the problem was fixed. We then splurged and upgraded to the ProPride. Problem solved!