Trying to understand payload

Oh boy. In 2004 I bought a 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 and it came with these two big metal rod type things and seems to me one end of those rods attached to the back end of the truck and the other two near the trailer hitch. Those were anti sway things, right?

No...those are weight distribution bars...has nothing to do with sway.

I am feeling so much better now. What next should I be considering?

Ok, you're coming along just fine as you are learning there's quite a bit to towing a trailer. You now understand a little about weight distribution and how it works.

Sway control is the next thing you need to be aware of. There are several different types of sway control devices, a simple independent friction bar, a WD device that has friction sway control built in, and the more expensive mechanical sway control device.

The simple bars are very common but not real effective and only cost about $100 or less. The WD with built in sway control is more expensive, but works much better than the bar. In both cases, these devices help to control sway, but do not eliminate it. However the mechanical devices (like the Hensley Arrow) is very expensive....but, for all practical purposes, they will eliminate the possibility of sway.

So, depending upon how much you want to spend and how safe you want to be...will determine which route you will take.

Ron