Forum Discussion

DarbyWalters's avatar
DarbyWalters
Explorer
Oct 09, 2014

Just purchased 1st TT...Jayco 29REKS



2015 Jayco White Hawk 29REKS...Tow vehicle 2012 Ford F-150 4x4 Lariat w/ Ecoboost 3.5L. I have standard WD hitch (round bar with 1 friction arm) and am wondering if a second Friction Sway control on the opposite side would help???

The truck easily tows the trailer (Hitch 730#, Empty 7160#, GVWR 8500#). It is lifted 2" and fitted with E Rated 34.25" tires w/ 3.73 rear end. I pulled to Port A Texas from New Braunfels, Tx (about 450 miles round trip) with no real problem but any movement freaks out be other half!!! Would an additional friction control help? Truck is rated to pull 11,300 and have integrated brake controller and sway control. I am also installing a LiveWire 5015 with Custom Perf/Tow tunes tomorrow.

So will the extra arm help?
  • We have the Reese SC (sway control) weight distribution hitch, which is a lot like the equalizer except the pads aren't metal on metal as the Reese has actual brake pads at their friction mounts. Never had sway with a 7500# trailer. Not sure how a 3.5L engine can have such a high tow rating, but guessing you will be driving slow on the hills. A second sway control bar has got to help somewhat. Oversized tires reduce torque & are less stable.
  • I went from the one friction sway to the Reese Dual Cam setup and it was night and day once I got it dialed in.
  • 8000lbs and 33' behind a 145" WB 1/2 ton truck requires more than one wimpy friction bar. Two are recommended for any TT over 26' long per instructions. IMO you need a really good WD with built in sway control (EQ or Reese) or a Hensley Arrow or Propride.
    FWIW make sure your TT tires are at max PSI. Hopefully you have some 225/75/15's on it. Should be run at 65 psi.
  • I'm curious what rims do you have on your truck? They look pretty cool!

    Congrats on the new trailer.
  • I don't believe a second sway bar will help. What type of movement are you having that is causing the other half concern?

    I would double check to make sure you have enough tongue weight. The more tongue weight you have, the less sway effect you generally have.

    I have the Equalizer WDH with integrated sway control. It uses both arms/bars as friction sway control. Never felt my trailer move behind me, not even on the interstate when passed by a semi. Best $450 I ever spent for trailering!

    I like that trailer too. I just looked at a new JayFlight the other day and it had that black trim on the outside too. It makes it look really sharp!!!
  • First, I believe your tow rating is a little lower, 9500-ish pounds without the max trailer towing package which also includes the towing mirrors your picture does not show. By increasing tire size, tow rating/GCWR is derated, but there is no formula to determine exactly how much.

    Start at a scale. Take 3 passes (truck alone, truck with tongue on ball, truck with trailer with WDH) on 3 scale pads (truck front axle, truck rear axle, trailer axles combined). The most common issues for handling are improper loading/low tongue weight and improper WDH adjustment. Fortunately, those can be very low cost to improve.
  • which WD hitch do you have? Some have better sway control than others. You have enough tow capacity but may be approaching or over on weight carrying capacity of rear axle, depending on what you have in the truck besides yourself. Also you need to determine if you have enough tongue weight as that can drastically affect sway and that the trailer frame sits level or just slightly nose down when hitched up and on a level road or parking lot.

    Go to a scale and do all the weights,(there should be a sticky in the towing section that will tell you how), so you know how your weight distribution is working and your tongue weight, axle weights etc.

    Other than that it just may be getting used to the feelings but it will tow better if you get those things dialed in.