Equalizer vs Dual Cam

MarkyVasquez wrote:
I use the Camco Elite Weight Distributing Hitch with the friction control. Cam and friction controls both have their pros and cons. I've had both and like the friction better.---

Welcome to Open Roads Forum. Here you will find much diversity of opinion which usually generates much thought-provoking discussion. I fully respect your opinion as to personal preferences, but I will respectfully disagree with some of your views as to how the Dual Cam does or does not work.

---The problem with the cam and spring type of sway control is that at the center point they have the least amount of push or resistance. When the trailer starts to move away from the center the cam lobes increas their resistance. The more the trailer moves from the center the greater the resistance created by the cam.---

I agree that the friction force between cam and bar increases a the cam moves away from center. But, it's important to know the magnitude of the friction increase when forming an opinion about its potential benefit or detriment.

We agree the cam causes more upward deflection of the bar as the cam moves away from the center of the detent. If the TT swings by 1 degree, the cam will move about 0.1" longitudinally and, due to the slope of the bar, will lift the bar about 0.05". The added upward force on the bar will be equal to 0.05" times the spring constant.
For an 800# bar with a base load of 800#, the bar load will increase by 0.05"x200#/inch = 10#. The upward force will increase from 800# to about 810# -- an increase of about 1%.
At a "sway" of +/- 5 degrees, corresponding to the rear of a 30' TT moving side to side about +/- 2.5', the sway-resisting friction force would vary only about 5% from centered to max swing.

---The resistance is pushing the trailer to the center but as it starts to get to the center the resistance is less.---

It might be a matter of semantics, but IMO, the friction force does not push the trailer to the center. The friction force resists movement of the TT away from center, and it also resists, to a significantly smaller degree, movement of the TT back toward center.

The max resistance is when the trailer is almost jackknifed. The max resistance has to be kept within reason or the trailer won't be able to turn.---

At a very large angle of 50 degrees, the friction force would be about 25% greater than at an angle of zero degrees. However, the resistance to turning will be less than at zero degrees. This is because, at a very large angle, the component of force acting parallel to the TV's longitudinal centerline (the force which generates the yaw-resisting torque) is significantly diminished.

On the other hand with the friction control method the friction can be dialed up to the max all the time (within reason so you can turn). It doesn't start at low resistance then goes higher as the trailer moves from the center.---

Again, the "resistance" provided by the Dual Cam varies from 100% when centered to about 105% at a swing of +/- 5 degrees.

If the trailer starts to sway it first has to overcome the locking action the friction control creates when its not moving then the friction that has been set to the max as the friction control slides. So I guess you could say it almost locks the trailer behind the tow vehicle.---

The purpose of any friction-based sway control is to prevent relative yaw between TV and TT. If effect, the combination is "locked", up to the point at which the static friction is overcome and the friction surfaces begin to "slide".

The primary functional differences among the "friction sway controls" are the methods by which yaw-resisting torque is generated and the magnitude of the torque. The Dual Cam is unique in its ability to generate significantly less torque when the TT is returning to center than when the TT is moving away from center. Whether this is good is a matter of personal opinion.

Ron