Forum Discussion

CamperMan78's avatar
CamperMan78
Explorer
Mar 27, 2017

Hayes Sway Master Elec Sway Control. Does it really Work?

I am new to the forum and have been towing a large pop up (2003 Coleman Niagra Elite) since 2013. I recently upgraded to a 2017 Jayco 28 foot Travel Trailer. Dry weight is about 6,000 lbs. I have been taking some practice runs with it and at about 60 to 65 mph (Dry) and I started to experience a little bit of sway. Shank and hitch are all installed properly by RV shop along with my Equalizer WD. I wanted to know if anyone on here has had any true experience with the Hayes Sway Master Electronic Sway Control and if it really works and if it will be beneficial to get one. Also will adding some sand bags to the front trunk to get me close to the 600 lbs (10%) tongue weight will help. I don't carry much gear so everything in the front storage area is about 100 lbs. Any advice is welcomed.
  • CamperMan78's avatar
    CamperMan78
    Explorer
    Mar 27, 2017
    I was thinking that I would add Sand Bags in small increments. Menards carries what's called "Sand in a tube" and they are 70 lbs each. I'll probably start out with 4 of them (280 lbs)
  • Hannibal's avatar
    Hannibal
    Explorer
    Mar 27, 2017
    It's been windy. Are you sure it's not just crosswinds? We saw a lot of different combos with different hitches coming home Saturday. They were all getting blown around as much as we were. Our 28RLS tows great without any sway control but we do feel wind gusts and cross winds when trucks pass.
  • TomG2's avatar
    TomG2
    Explorer
    Mar 27, 2017
    I like Jayco, but I am really disappointed that they would sell a trailer that needed hundreds of pounds of dead weight added to the tongue. Are you dealing with actual weights, or brochure bs?
  • CamperMan78's avatar
    CamperMan78
    Explorer
    Mar 27, 2017
    Actual weights. I am kind of a safety but so I have been taking this thing on test runs about twice a week before I commit to putting my family in the TV. The Equalizer WD with 4 point sway control works phenomenal but the Jayco has a lot of butt bebjnd thd tandem axles and sometimes catches a crosswind at 60 to 65 mph and i can feel it. Which is why I want to add weight in increments to get good balance in weight but also while leaving some room for our clothing and personal belonging like clothes etc. I was told that even with the equalizer weight distribution hitch setup that I would still experience a little bit of sway just because I'm towing a long travel trailer. I was hoping that the Hayes electronic sway control wood assist in eliminating some of that sway
  • budwich's avatar
    budwich
    Explorer
    Mar 27, 2017
    oops... I didn't read the "get me close to 600"... then you need to add 400... :-)
    I think your tongue is way to light but your strategy of incremental adds will likely find the solution. Your best bet is load up with your "normal gear" along with supplies (ie water, propane, cords, etc) and head to a scale and get a more accurate weight scenario and go from there.
  • CamperMan78's avatar
    CamperMan78
    Explorer
    Mar 27, 2017
    Yeah you may be right. I am accumulating all the gear that I would need for this new travel trailer and then I'm going to head to the scale and then do a test run and then if I experience any sway, I'm going to head to Menards and pick up some of those sandbags and just make a whole entire day of it until I get it right. I went ahead and I bit the bullet and just bought the Hayes electronic sway control. It couldn't hurt and there are not many reviews on it the few that there is are very good. For a couple of hundred bucks it's a small investment for a little added peace of mind and safety.
  • bobndot's avatar
    bobndot
    Explorer II
    Mar 27, 2017
    Re-check your hitch set up, it was not performed correctly.

    http://davidsrvtips.blogspot.com/2009/02/hitch-setup_2781.html

    You need to have enough weight on your rear wheels while keeping your front wheels in check to allow steering control.

    Just because the dealer did it does not mean it was done correctly.
    A 2017 28 ft Jayco does not need sand bags.
    As well as setting up my own and recently went through this with someone and a new Jayco already . I had them call the dealership from a rest area where they had to pull over. The dealer sent out a different mechanic who told him the hitch was not set up correctly. After a few adjustments, it towed like a dream. Not enough weight distribution on the rear wheels.
  • camp-n-family's avatar
    camp-n-family
    Explorer
    Mar 27, 2017
    Check the hitch set-up again if the dealer did it. Many dealers don't spend the time to adjust it properly and when they do the trailers are not loaded up to camp.

    You should have a minimum of 12 percent for tongue weight to be stable and reduce chances for sway.

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