Do I need sway control?
This is for people who wonder if this is needed. This is also for those who have so much pride in their rig that they advise newbies that a properly loaded and balanced rig doesn't need sway control. ...
Forum Discussion
Long ago, we towed with sedans and station wagons that needed all kinds of tricks and hitches to make them work. Today's pickups are a lot more competent but the old thinking is still there, except with GM and Ford engineers who have radically revised their hitch requirements.
Tricks? Maybe suspension components, better tires, shocks, and maybe even a weight distributing hitch. Today's SUV's and trucks are far more competent both in suspension, capacity, braking and power. But even if you used tricks to help tow a trailer with that station wagon you apparently made it through all those tows just fine. But, you are correct that old thinking is still there and needs to be updated to more accurately complement the more capable tow vehicles.
The folks that deliver trailers from the factory to the dealers do not use sway mitigation, virtually all construction trailers are not towed using sway mitigation, and while boats have typically only around five percent tongue weight almost never use sway mitigation. And most well balanced trailers do not either as long as they are towed by a very capable tow vehicle.
As previously mentioned sway mitigation can be considered cheap insurance. If that makes you feel better towing then use one.
