Getting started with sway control
Here's the quick and dirty question: What questions do I need to ask about weight distribution and sway control systems? I'm already thinking, trailer weight, tongue weight, and can I back up with...
Forum Discussion
True sway is only due to not having enough weight on the tongue. That's the one that sometimes can occur very quickly, and throw you off the road. Shoot for 12-13% of total trailer weight to be on the tongue. No lighter than 12%. Search YouTube videos for examples from various Universities.
Various hitches can essentially provide friction to dampen it and reduce odds of it happening at any usual speeds - but may or may not prevent it at all your normal driving speeds. Only Hensley and ProPride hitches can prevent it. But they may be overkill (very expensive), unless you just can't get your tongue weight where it should be. (Which is my case).
Others call things like "truck suck" and wind pushes "sway". It's not. These are single events, that are problematic, but usually not catastrophic. But, they can be the initiator of a true sway event, if you are on the edge otherwise. Various brands have different track records for helping control them.
The first order after tongue weight, is make sure your trailer is at least level when hitched, but better to be a bit nose down. Then find the optimal amount of weight to transfer to the front using the weight distribution system. Each truck will vary in this. It may be more than standard recommendation from the manufacturer. Tires, shocks, new hitch, new truck, etc. can come later, if suck, pushes and wiggle are still an issue.
Various hitches can essentially provide friction to dampen it and reduce odds of it happening at any usual speeds - but may or may not prevent it at all your normal driving speeds. Only Hensley and ProPride hitches can prevent it. But they may be overkill (very expensive), unless you just can't get your tongue weight where it should be. (Which is my case).
Others call things like "truck suck" and wind pushes "sway". It's not. These are single events, that are problematic, but usually not catastrophic. But, they can be the initiator of a true sway event, if you are on the edge otherwise. Various brands have different track records for helping control them.
The first order after tongue weight, is make sure your trailer is at least level when hitched, but better to be a bit nose down. Then find the optimal amount of weight to transfer to the front using the weight distribution system. Each truck will vary in this. It may be more than standard recommendation from the manufacturer. Tires, shocks, new hitch, new truck, etc. can come later, if suck, pushes and wiggle are still an issue.
