Electronic Sway Control....Thoughts?

ScottG wrote:

GaryWT wrote:
I do not know how similar it is but my F350 came with built in sway control that will apply trailer brakes as needed if sway is detected.

The difference is your Ford will bring the whole rig to a stop if it detects sway and is more of a catastrophic event protective system.
The system the OP shows just applies the brakes enough to bring it under control.

When I read about this system it occurred to me that it would be better to spend the money fixing what ever is causing the sway rather than just try to leash it once it starts.

NO...same principle, but the MAJOR difference is that trailers today have one lead for the brake wiring, this system separates the brakes into right side and left side...so it has the ability to apply brakes on just one side of a trailer to stop sway.

Think of the way ABS pulsates brakes, releasing pressure just before lockup and then re-applying. Now picture a swaying trailer....as the front of the TT goes to the right, the left side tires have to be turning faster because they are on the outside of the turn. Since this unit mounts on the trailer, it can tell which direction the trailer is moving and how fast as it sways back and forth.

So similar to ABS, this unit can activate the TT brakes on the side of the TT opposite the sway direction, then switch sides as the TT sways back, and repeat this pattern until no sway is detected.

I think this is good for emergency conditions, but if you have a trailer that sways all the time over a certain speed, it would kill your gas mileage and wear out your brakes using this method to control sway....

Dexter Electronic Sway Control

Dexter Brought Rights to Tuson Electronic Sway control

I will have to read up on it again because it does not say about stopping the entire rig, maybe I missed something. Then again I generally don't have sway with the equil I zer.

BurbMan wrote:
Interesting concept! Would be interested to know if anybody is using one?

People using the Tucson the locally developed ALKO one. ALKO comes standard on a few Caravans

Discussion on ESC, Alko and Tucson

This may help.
Website locations are mentioned at the end of each message.
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Not sure about Dodge, but it sounds a lot like the TSC on my Ford. Unfortunately, I did have an experience and found out how the truck's system works. It does not prevent sway. What it does is help you maintain control once extreme sway occurs. We were on the interstate when an idiot driver decided to cut in front of me too soon. I had to evade and the trailer started swaying badly. The TSC kicked in and I could feel the trucks breaks working, first one side, then the other as I took my foot off the gas. I had the trailer back under control in no time. I still have a sway control system on my hitch that prevents the less dramatic sway from crosswinds and passing trucks and gives me peace of mind.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/forums/f2/dodge-ram-trailer-sway-control-tsc-system-21522.html
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If equipped, the electronic Trailer Sway Control (TSC)
recognizes a swaying trailer and automatically applies
individual wheel brakes and/or reduces engine power to
attempt to eliminate the trailer sway."

"Trailer Sway Control (TSC) – If Equipped
The TSC system uses sensors in the vehicle to recognize
an excessively swaying trailer and will take the appropriate
actions to attempt to stop the sway. The system
may reduce engine power and apply the brake of the
appropriate wheel(s) to counteract the sway of the trailer.
TSC will become active automatically once an excessively
swaying trailer is recognized. No driver action is required.
Note that TSC cannot stop all trailers from
swaying. Always use caution when towing a trailer and
follow the trailer tongue weight recommendations. Refer
to “Trailer Towing” in “Starting and Operating” for
further information. When TSC is functioning, the “ESC
Off Indicator Light” will flash, the engine power may be
reduced and you may feel the brakes being applied to
individual wheels to attempt to stop the trailer from
swaying. TSC is disabled when the ESC system is in the
“Partial Off” or “Full Off” modes.
TSC is only active in the default “ESC On” mode. TSC
can be disabled by pressing the “ESC Off” switch and
entering “ESC Partial Off” mode. It is not active in the
“ESC Partial Off” or “ESC Off” modes. Refer to the ESC
portion of this section for an explanation of the different
ESC operating modes."
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f238/does-dodge-rams-integrated-sway-control-work-well-with-friction-sway-control-123858.html

Looks like it can be purchased here:

Tuson electronic Sway Control $549 plus shipping

and a link to an rv.net member who installed one

TuSon Sway Control Rv.ne

ScottG wrote:

GaryWT wrote:
I do not know how similar it is but my F350 came with built in sway control that will apply trailer brakes as needed if sway is detected.

The difference is your Ford will bring the whole rig to a stop if it detects sway and is more of a catastrophic event protective system.
The system the OP shows just applies the brakes enough to bring it under control.

When I read about this system it occurred to me that it would be better to spend the money fixing what ever is causing the sway rather than just try to leash it once it starts.

I agree a trailer should be set up so there is no sway without the use of any type of sway control.

Where the Tuson system would come into play is if you had to brake hard and change lanes for a deer, dog or another vehicle. In that case most trailers may sway out of control and the Tuson system may prevent loss of control.

I am interested if anyone has the system installed and if it works as advertised.

GaryWT wrote:
I do not know how similar it is but my F350 came with built in sway control that will apply trailer brakes as needed if sway is detected.

The truck has no sway detector in the trailer and it cannot apply the trailer brakes individually. Completely different system.

GaryWT wrote:
I do not know how similar it is but my F350 came with built in sway control that will apply trailer brakes as needed if sway is detected.

The difference is your Ford will bring the whole rig to a stop if it detects sway and is more of a catastrophic event protective system.
The system the OP shows just applies the brakes enough to bring it under control.

When I read about this system it occurred to me that it would be better to spend the money fixing what ever is causing the sway rather than just try to leash it once it starts.