Greetings,I am brand new to RVing. I have a 2017 Ford F-150 w/ 3.5L twin turbo and 3.31 gear train. We just bought a 2018 Forest River Heritage Glen 272RL 34 feet long that weighs 7404 empty. The trailer is three weeks old and we take our first trip very soon.The trailer dealer installed a Pro Series weight distribution hitch. They did not install the friction sway control portion. Said they would be reclassified as a manufacturer if they did and that I likely wouldn’t need the sway control.The dealer gave me the remaining parts and instructions. Should I install the sway control ball/plate assembly and use the sway control?Thank you in advance for your more knowledgeable, helpful advice!Ed

short answer yes. Long answer is hell yes. I have the same setup, Pro Series, just remember to unhook the sway bar before backing in to your spot. I have a smaller trailer and I can tell when I don't have it hooked up. Without it every truck that passes me sucks the trailer over, almost unnoticeable when the sway bar is attached. I have a 24' trailer, weighs 2,000 lbs less pulled by a Ram 1500, us your sway control.

Whatever level of trust you have for that dealer, lower it two notches.

Be advised, you will be partially restricted when backing up while turning when using the friction sway control bar. If you turn too sharp while backing, it can cause damage. Slightly backing while turning is ok, but I would remove it once I entered a campground or other parking situations. I have a Pro Series also but i roll at 6000 lbs with a lot of TW (@900 plus #)I have towed with and without the SC and felt no difference. That's because my rig tows true with no sway to begin with. With that being said , I do use a friction sway control. It's there if I need it, hopefully, I won't. I think if I buy another hitch, I would buy a 4 point hitch like an Eqaul-I-Zer or similar , only because it's a proven hitch system that works and you can back up while turning, no need to remove anything.

I don't see a reason to not install it yourself if they gave you the parts. It may help, but certainly won't hurt.

Install it. You'll never be sorry you did.

Newbie - prepping for first trip | Good Sam Community

bobndot
Explorer II
Dec 29, 2017
Be advised, you will be partially restricted when backing up while turning when using the friction sway control bar. If you turn too sharp while backing, it can cause damage. Slightly backing while turning is ok, but I would remove it once I entered a campground or other parking situations.

I have a Pro Series also but i roll at 6000 lbs with a lot of TW (@900 plus #)
I have towed with and without the SC and felt no difference. That's because my rig tows true with no sway to begin with. With that being said , I do use a friction sway control. It's there if I need it, hopefully, I won't.

I think if I buy another hitch, I would buy a 4 point hitch like an Eqaul-I-Zer or similar , only because it's a proven hitch system that works and you can back up while turning, no need to remove anything.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Dec 29, 2017
Whatever level of trust you have for that dealer, lower it two notches.
Theb2b
Explorer
Dec 29, 2017
short answer yes. Long answer is hell yes. I have the same setup, Pro Series, just remember to unhook the sway bar before backing in to your spot. I have a smaller trailer and I can tell when I don't have it hooked up. Without it every truck that passes me sucks the trailer over, almost unnoticeable when the sway bar is attached.
I have a 24' trailer, weighs 2,000 lbs less pulled by a Ram 1500, us your sway control.

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