"The trailer started whipping..."

Larry C wrote:

Nvr2loud wrote:

DiskDoctr wrote:

Larry C wrote:
I can't argue with you on theory that the brake control technique will work, but problem is, when a strong gust hits you, and a serious sway event occurs, you probably won't be able to react in time to resolve the problem.

^^This^^

And...in the moments it takes you to "sense" the serious sway, it may already be out of or nearly out of control, making a more dangerous situation.

Have you ever had serious sway?

It takes very little time to realize that problem, and the reaction should be almost instant.

Knock-on-wood, but I have not had serious sway with the TT. I have however had some scary loads for work behind me, and the brake controller has saved my butt more then once.

When I have transported machinery to job sites, sometimes it is impossible to get the right tongue weight due to trailer design or load characteristics... and add a 40 foot trailer to the mix and you can get some serious sway going. I have even had a fifth wheel trailer (not a camper) loaded with about 18,000 lbs nearly pull my truck over on top of me. It didn't have brakes, and luckily I was driving a one ton with a big diesel engine... I slammed my foot down on the gas and held on. For those of you who believe a 5th wheel can not sway, you're wrong. It takes a lot of force, and a lot of towed weight, but you can make a 5th wheel trailer sway (not likely a camper, too light)

At work, I never had a choice of load size, equipment, tow vehicle, ect. I was just expected to do as instructed. In hind-sight, I should have refused most of the loads. We had equipment that was grossly inadequate for the loads, and my drivers license was not valid for the length or weight of some of those loads, but hey... I was young and dumb. I did however, learn how to tow properly. Now that I'm older and have a choice of what to tow and how to tow, I am very conservative with my towing, but I still don't like friction anti-sway bars. I don't trust them above their safe threshold, when it is too late to manually correct the trailer. I have stated over-and-over again that friction sway bars work, but only to a certain threshold, then they are junk....

I you are talking about friction type sway controls, I totally agree.

But from the start of this pissing match, I'm talking about WD and integral sway control, such as Reese Dual Cam. If this type of hitch is properly setup, you'll have no sway problem. With the Pullrite hitch, sway is controlled very much the same way as a 5th wheel hitch.

If you are trying to pull a heavy trailer, (or any trailer) with too little tongue weight, you will have sway problems, regardless of what kind of hitch you have.

From the description you gave about some of the loads and trailers that you have pulled, my guess is that you've have a lot of experience with sway.

For whatever it's worth, I guess you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink.

I have only been talking about the friction style anti-sway bars since that is what the OP asked about.

The question was "Do they work"

My answer was "yes" and "no"

I do believe they work, but I don't believe they work well enough. I feel it is safer to have none (friction style) and load and drive properly.

You know, this is truly the tail wagging the dog. After years of sway with a 28 ft Airstream and dual cams and such, I came to the conclusion the trailer just weighs too much. Thus, a 2700 lb camplite, on a F150 rated at 10k lbs is the perfect, drop it on the ball and go set up. No sway, weight distribution, just go. Add the Shocker air hitch and she float down the road, with no surprises. Sometimes, less is more.

Nvr2loud wrote:

DiskDoctr wrote:

Larry C wrote:
I can't argue with you on theory that the brake control technique will work, but problem is, when a strong gust hits you, and a serious sway event occurs, you probably won't be able to react in time to resolve the problem.

^^This^^

And...in the moments it takes you to "sense" the serious sway, it may already be out of or nearly out of control, making a more dangerous situation.

Have you ever had serious sway?

It takes very little time to realize that problem, and the reaction should be almost instant.

Knock-on-wood, but I have not had serious sway with the TT. I have however had some scary loads for work behind me, and the brake controller has saved my butt more then once.

When I have transported machinery to job sites, sometimes it is impossible to get the right tongue weight due to trailer design or load characteristics... and add a 40 foot trailer to the mix and you can get some serious sway going. I have even had a fifth wheel trailer (not a camper) loaded with about 18,000 lbs nearly pull my truck over on top of me. It didn't have brakes, and luckily I was driving a one ton with a big diesel engine... I slammed my foot down on the gas and held on. For those of you who believe a 5th wheel can not sway, you're wrong. It takes a lot of force, and a lot of towed weight, but you can make a 5th wheel trailer sway (not likely a camper, too light)

At work, I never had a choice of load size, equipment, tow vehicle, ect. I was just expected to do as instructed. In hind-sight, I should have refused most of the loads. We had equipment that was grossly inadequate for the loads, and my drivers license was not valid for the length or weight of some of those loads, but hey... I was young and dumb. I did however, learn how to tow properly. Now that I'm older and have a choice of what to tow and how to tow, I am very conservative with my towing, but I still don't like friction anti-sway bars. I don't trust them above their safe threshold, when it is too late to manually correct the trailer. I have stated over-and-over again that friction sway bars work, but only to a certain threshold, then they are junk....

I you are talking about friction type sway controls, I totally agree.

But from the start of this pissing match, I'm talking about WD and integral sway control, such as Reese Dual Cam. If this type of hitch is properly setup, you'll have no sway problem. With the Pullrite hitch, sway is controlled very much the same way as a 5th wheel hitch.

If you are trying to pull a heavy trailer, (or any trailer) with too little tongue weight, you will have sway problems, regardless of what kind of hitch you have.

From the description you gave about some of the loads and trailers that you have pulled, my guess is that you've have a lot of experience with sway.

For whatever it's worth, I guess you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink.

DiskDoctr wrote:

Larry C wrote:
I can't argue with you on theory that the brake control technique will work, but problem is, when a strong gust hits you, and a serious sway event occurs, you probably won't be able to react in time to resolve the problem.

^^This^^

And...in the moments it takes you to "sense" the serious sway, it may already be out of or nearly out of control, making a more dangerous situation.

Have you ever had serious sway?

It takes very little time to realize that problem, and the reaction should be almost instant.

Knock-on-wood, but I have not had serious sway with the TT. I have however had some scary loads for work behind me, and the brake controller has saved my butt more then once.

When I have transported machinery to job sites, sometimes it is impossible to get the right tongue weight due to trailer design or load characteristics... and add a 40 foot trailer to the mix and you can get some serious sway going. I have even had a fifth wheel trailer (not a camper) loaded with about 18,000 lbs nearly pull my truck over on top of me. It didn't have brakes, and luckily I was driving a one ton with a big diesel engine... I slammed my foot down on the gas and held on. For those of you who believe a 5th wheel can not sway, you're wrong. It takes a lot of force, and a lot of towed weight, but you can make a 5th wheel trailer sway (not likely a camper, too light)

At work, I never had a choice of load size, equipment, tow vehicle, ect. I was just expected to do as instructed. In hind-sight, I should have refused most of the loads. We had equipment that was grossly inadequate for the loads, and my drivers license was not valid for the length or weight of some of those loads, but hey... I was young and dumb. I did however, learn how to tow properly. Now that I'm older and have a choice of what to tow and how to tow, I am very conservative with my towing, but I still don't like friction anti-sway bars. I don't trust them above their safe threshold, when it is too late to manually correct the trailer. I have stated over-and-over again that friction sway bars work, but only to a certain threshold, then they are junk....

pappcam wrote:

Nvr2loud wrote:

Dog Folks wrote:

Nvr2loud wrote:

The_Barbarian wrote:
My wife's statement: "OMG, I bet they had did not have sway control bars." As we drove by, I could not tell either way.

Taft Midway Driller

I wouldn't have sway control bars if you paid for them. Mine came with one bar, but I gave it away the first time out.

Brake controller with manual (and accessible) lever is all I need.

I don't use fire extinguishers, but have four of them anyways. I not as positive as others that nothing will ever happen.

Apples to oranges...

I believe that sway control bars cause problems. I would equate my brake controller with a fire extinguisher, both respond to a problem. I would equate sway control bars to fighting a forest fire with a garden hose.

Don't listen to this guy.

You can believe what you like, but I'll stick to experience.

DiskDoctr wrote:

Larry C wrote:
I can't argue with you on theory that the brake control technique will work, but problem is, when a strong gust hits you, and a serious sway event occurs, you probably won't be able to react in time to resolve the problem.

^^This^^

And...in the moments it takes you to "sense" the serious sway, it may already be out of or nearly out of control, making a more dangerous situation.

But, since you are convinced you will never use an anti-sway device until they are 100% effective, I guess applying the same logic, you'll be done driving, too. I have yet to see any make or model that is 100% immune to failures and remains in completely stable control under ANY conditions :R

I'm assuming that you are referring to the post that "Nvr2loud" and I have been debating this morning?

If you are aiming your comment at me, your are preaching to the choir. I've been there, done that...

Have a good day

I know a guy who won't use seatbelts because when he was on the emergency squad, he saw a few instances where people were trapped in wrecked cars by the seatbelt.

I use an Equalizer and it has worked well on both of my TTs over the last 10 years. I have never been in a situation where extreme sway was encountered and I've had to reach for my trailer brake. As others have said, it would most likely be too late to correct the situation. IMO - the most important thing is to have your towing system (whatever system you choose) set up correctly by a professional. My system has proven to work and gives me peace of mind. I would be a whole lot more nervous if I went without a system, and knew I had to rely on my quick reaction to pull the trailer brakes when sway started to happen.

Nvr2loud wrote:

Dog Folks wrote:

Nvr2loud wrote:

The_Barbarian wrote:
My wife's statement: "OMG, I bet they had did not have sway control bars." As we drove by, I could not tell either way.

Taft Midway Driller

I wouldn't have sway control bars if you paid for them. Mine came with one bar, but I gave it away the first time out.

Brake controller with manual (and accessible) lever is all I need.

I don't use fire extinguishers, but have four of them anyways. I not as positive as others that nothing will ever happen.

Apples to oranges...

I believe that sway control bars cause problems. I would equate my brake controller with a fire extinguisher, both respond to a problem. I would equate sway control bars to fighting a forest fire with a garden hose.

Don't listen to this guy.

Larry C wrote:
I can't argue with you on theory that the brake control technique will work, but problem is, when a strong gust hits you, and a serious sway event occurs, you probably won't be able to react in time to resolve the problem.

^^This^^

And...in the moments it takes you to "sense" the serious sway, it may already be out of or nearly out of control, making a more dangerous situation.

But, since you are convinced you will never use an anti-sway device until they are 100% effective, I guess applying the same logic, you'll be done driving, too. I have yet to see any make or model that is 100% immune to failures and remains in completely stable control under ANY conditions :R

Love the fish tales stories.

"My sway control is better than your sway control".

Providing large amounts of entertainment folks.

Seriously now in actual utility there is not spitting difference between friction sway controls when used properly. That includes everything other than one of the Hensley twins or the Pullrite.

I mean if ya really care about sway control you would have a fifth wheel... Right... Lol

Thanks!

Jeremiah