Blue Ox Sway Pro Setup

[CrowsnestGuy]

I was wondering if someone can tell me if I have this setup right.
I know I need to scale it but nearest scale is 100km away.
Empty measurements .......
Rear 39-3/4"
Front 37-1/2"


With Blue Ox 1000# bars hooked up with TT
Rear 37"
Front 38"
Trailer is 1/2" lower in front then rear

I called Blue Ox before I bought and told them my dry tongue weight was 730# plus batteries and propane and they suggested the 1000# bars.
I called them today with this and they said to take another link so I did and the measurements do not change at all.

Are these measurements about we're they should be or should I be getting the 1500# bars? I have almost returned the measurements to the front of the truck but I am a bit squatty in the back.

I have included a picture for reference.
Thank you

Moderator edit to re-size picture to forum limit of 640px maximum width.

[eluwak]

CrowsnestGuy wrote:

eluwak wrote:
OP, How many links free do you setup with?

We use the 1000 lbs bars with our trailer and have it set on the 8th link (7 free). I was a bit surprised that the Suburban and F150 ended up with the same setting. Our tongue weight is around 800 lbs though. Seemed like quite a bit, but it's been working well.

I am at 7 links from bar end with 9 free. I tried 6th link with 10 free as suggested by Blue Ox but all measurements stayed the same.

Oh wow... I bet you are probably overweight on the tongue. It would be interesting to know what your weight ends up as when you hit the scales next time.

[CrowsnestGuy]

TecheMan wrote:
I don't think the larger bars or the answer. You may want to look into a Roadmaster Active Suspension . This won't increase payload but really helps reduce rear end squat and make towing are hauling heavy loads a whole lot safer. Will lift the back of the truck some while unloaded but the truck will handle loads much better and go around curves like a car. Unbealvabe how much better a loaded or unloaded truck will handle.
TecheMan

Do not want the bigger bars for sure. I just got my Work-Rites ( like Timbrens) today and will install this weekend. I did look at the Roadmasters but could not find a dealer who sold them here in our rural area.
I

[TecheMan]

I don't think the larger bars or the answer. You may want to look into a Roadmaster Active Suspension . This won't increase payload but really helps reduce rear end squat and make towing are hauling heavy loads a whole lot safer. Will lift the back of the truck some while unloaded but the truck will handle loads much better and go around curves like a car. Unbealvabe how much better a loaded or unloaded truck will handle.
TecheMan

[CrowsnestGuy]

eluwak wrote:
OP, How many links free do you setup with?

We use the 1000 lbs bars with our trailer and have it set on the 8th link (7 free). I was a bit surprised that the Suburban and F150 ended up with the same setting. Our tongue weight is around 800 lbs though. Seemed like quite a bit, but it's been working well.

I am at 7 links from bar end with 9 free. I tried 6th link with 10 free as suggested by Blue Ox but all measurements stayed the same.

[coolbreeze01]

Use your tongue jack to raise the hitch/pickup. Raise enough and you will be able to set and close the chains by hand. No cheater-bar needed.

[eluwak]

OP, How many links free do you setup with?

We use the 1000 lbs bars with our trailer and have it set on the 8th link (7 free). I was a bit surprised that the Suburban and F150 ended up with the same setting. Our tongue weight is around 800 lbs though. Seemed like quite a bit, but it's been working well.

[CrowsnestGuy]

Rescue16 wrote:
I Have the Blue Ox Sway Pro and love it. Looking at the picture you have posted you do not have enough weight transferred to the TV front wheels. I had the exact opposite when I set mine up. If you call Blue OX they are great and have seen it all before and are more then willing to work with you to get you set up right. You really do not want the 15K bars for your set up. They way you are set up right now your front wheels of the TV have had some weight taken off of them which is going to make the steering light which will not make towing fun.

Here is a link to a thread I started a year and a half ago which discusses the good and bad I found with the Blue ox which might be a good read for you Good and Bad of Blue Ox Swaypro

Thank you for the link. I figure that with the propane, dual batteries and water on board (tank is in the front) I am probably at about 1100# put I need to hit a scale and that is about 100km away. I have the front back down to about 1/2, from stock but the rear is still 2-1/2" below stock height. I have been working with Blue Ox and they are very helpful. They did say to lower my ball down one hole and take another link but it took all my strength to get the chains locked and that did not seem right and I was almost out of chain when tightened. I am going to read through your link tonight and thanks. I want this to work because I really like the Blue Ox.

.


I am going on a 2 hour trip in a couple of weeks and I am going to try and tweak it along the way . I did buy some Firestone Work-Rites this week and I know that will help the sag but not fix the problem.

[gmw_photos]

CrowsnestGuy wrote:


I have only used the hitch twice on short trips and like it as well. I am having problems with the little rivets coming out by the pins for the bars but there customer service guys have been awesome and are sending me the new parts.

The pins that lock the bars on my BlueOx have never come out, but I have heard they "can", so mine get a quick wrap of good 'ol duct tape during setup.

[Rescue16]

I Have the Blue Ox Sway Pro and love it. Looking at the picture you have posted you do not have enough weight transferred to the TV front wheels. I had the exact opposite when I set mine up. If you call Blue OX they are great and have seen it all before and are more then willing to work with you to get you set up right. You really do not want the 15K bars for your set up. They way you are set up right now your front wheels of the TV have had some weight taken off of them which is going to make the steering light which will not make towing fun.

Here is a link to a thread I started a year and a half ago which discusses the good and bad I found with the Blue ox which might be a good read for you Good and Bad of Blue Ox Swaypro

[CrowsnestGuy]

Ron3rd wrote:

Hondavalk wrote:

carringb wrote:
Your springs should drop. That's how spring work. A half inch of front end lift is nothing to worry about. It looks like a good setup to me. Keep in mind that excessively stiff spring bars will put more stress on the trailer and the hitch receiver, so bigger isn't always better.

X2

X3, and if the truck handles fine you should be OK. Also can you put more tilt in the head to put more pressure on the bars?

Tilt is built in. Going to take it out for a short weekend camp trip here in a couple of weeks and see how it does.

Thanks for all the help

[Ron3rd]

Hondavalk wrote:

carringb wrote:
Your springs should drop. That's how spring work. A half inch of front end lift is nothing to worry about. It looks like a good setup to me. Keep in mind that excessively stiff spring bars will put more stress on the trailer and the hitch receiver, so bigger isn't always better.

X2

X3, and if the truck handles fine you should be OK. Also can you put more tilt in the head to put more pressure on the bars?

[Hondavalk]

carringb wrote:
Your springs should drop. That's how spring work. A half inch of front end lift is nothing to worry about. It looks like a good setup to me. Keep in mind that excessively stiff spring bars will put more stress on the trailer and the hitch receiver, so bigger isn't always better.

X2

[CrowsnestGuy]

CHD Dad wrote:
Newer half ton trucks are made to be comfy vs being a load hauler. Do you have the max payload package as well? A lot of half tons (mine included) can benefit from something like airbags, Timbrens, or similar to help with the squat. If you're running a heavy tongue it will also help the bounce on rough roads or expansion strips.

They won't do a thing to help payload rating but they will help firm up the soft suspension.

FYI - my tongue weight is around 825# and I'm running the 1000# bars on my Blue Ox. Love the hitch and the ride of it.

Truck has Max Tow #7700 payload. Door says 1690#

I have only used the hitch twice on short trips and like it as well. I am having problems with the little rivets coming out by the pins for the bars but there customer service guys have been awesome and are sending me the new parts.

[carringb]

Your springs should drop. That's how spring work. A half inch of front end lift is nothing to worry about. It looks like a good setup to me. Keep in mind that excessively stiff spring bars will put more stress on the trailer and the hitch receiver, so bigger isn't always better.