Electronic sway control
Has anyone installed an electronic sway control on their trailer like the Hayes or Tuson? Pros/cons? Thanks
Forum Discussion
I bought the Tuscon sway control module, but have not installed it yet.
FWIW - I have zero sway under normal conditions, however things have gotten squirrelly for me a couple times:
1) when both waste tanks are full and the fresh is empty, my tongue weight is too light but some regions just don't have nearby RV dumps. Nothing uncontrollable but still have to be ready for and bow waves coming off trucks...
2) Patchy ice. It got going once when I had to brake hard and only the pax side wheels were on ice.
Installation is fairly involved because you have to run new brake wires to the controller, and you might have to open up the underbelly to access a crossmember for mounting. The good news is it gives you a good excuse to upgrade the grabage wiring that came on the trailer. My trailer only has 20 gauge from the factory, which is tiny for 6k axles that are nearly 30' from the 7-way plug.
That all said... If you are experiencing sway under any normal conditions, fix your setup first, rather than relying on electronic sway control. I think it's an excellent concept for emergency/adverse conditions, but if you had to rely of it for normal conditions, you'll burn up your trailer brakes quick.
And speaking of trailer brakes, self-adjusting brakes are a must. If there's any slack in the brake shoes, the sway control system won't work as well, if at all. (That part I did upgrade already, and well worth it, for having consistent trailer brakes).
If the weather holds up, I might install the Sway controller this week. I'll try to report back with some pics.
FWIW - I have zero sway under normal conditions, however things have gotten squirrelly for me a couple times:
1) when both waste tanks are full and the fresh is empty, my tongue weight is too light but some regions just don't have nearby RV dumps. Nothing uncontrollable but still have to be ready for and bow waves coming off trucks...
2) Patchy ice. It got going once when I had to brake hard and only the pax side wheels were on ice.
Installation is fairly involved because you have to run new brake wires to the controller, and you might have to open up the underbelly to access a crossmember for mounting. The good news is it gives you a good excuse to upgrade the grabage wiring that came on the trailer. My trailer only has 20 gauge from the factory, which is tiny for 6k axles that are nearly 30' from the 7-way plug.
That all said... If you are experiencing sway under any normal conditions, fix your setup first, rather than relying on electronic sway control. I think it's an excellent concept for emergency/adverse conditions, but if you had to rely of it for normal conditions, you'll burn up your trailer brakes quick.
And speaking of trailer brakes, self-adjusting brakes are a must. If there's any slack in the brake shoes, the sway control system won't work as well, if at all. (That part I did upgrade already, and well worth it, for having consistent trailer brakes).
If the weather holds up, I might install the Sway controller this week. I'll try to report back with some pics.
