Blue Ox Sway Pro

[Mikesr]

Just took delivery on a new TT that weighs 8400# and has a tongue weight just under 1000#
Towing with a Chevy 2500HD 6.0 gas
Previous camper setup we used an Equalizer brand WDH and no issues with a slightly less weight camper,
Worked a deal on the Blue Ox Sway Pro with the new camper. Installed by a very reputable dealer and service center. Service tech even took it for a test drive to adjust the brake controller setting.
Camper is empty, no water and only full propane tanks.
Here's the problem. At speeds above 55 MPH the steering wheels of the TV seems sloppy like it's dancing back and forth and the TT has some slight sway.
I've towed several TT's over the past 2 decades but nothing with sway and lack of steering like this.
Anyone with a Blue Ox have any suggestions?
Unhitching when we got back from the dealer was a challenge, not sure if we had too much tension on the bars or not enough. It seemed like I had to raise the back of the TV way higher then normal to relieve enough tension to release the cam and chain.
I need some input from a seasoned Blue Ox user.
Thanks in advance and have a nice Memorial Day weekend

[camperforlife]

TucsonJim wrote:


Is it the truck manufacturer, or Blue Ox that recommends turning off the anti-sway? I've gone to the Blue Ox website and read as much literature as I can find and this was not found. Thanks,

Jim

This came from Marty at BlueOx. When my dealer set me up with the wrong equipment I had many phone calls with Marty who was tremendously helpful. When in doubt give them a call.

I can really tell a difference with passing trucks pushing me with the traction control on. With it off I hardly notice them passing at all. I live in a high wind area and notice the same difference with the wind.

[TucsonJim]

camperforlife wrote:

TucsonJim wrote:

camperforlife wrote:

One more thing, if you have traction control control on your truck, they recommend turning it off as it fights with the anti sway properties of the hitch.

Thanks I didn't know that.

Jim

I guess I should clarify my statement. They actually say if you truck has the electronic sway control to turn it off. Just so happens mine is build in with the traction control so I turn off the traction control button.

Is it the truck manufacturer, or Blue Ox that recommends turning off the anti-sway? I've gone to the Blue Ox website and read as much literature as I can find and this was not found. Thanks,

Jim

[camperforlife]

TucsonJim wrote:

camperforlife wrote:

One more thing, if you have traction control control on your truck, they recommend turning it off as it fights with the anti sway properties of the hitch.

Thanks I didn't know that.

Jim

I guess I should clarify my statement. They actually say if you truck has the electronic sway control to turn it off. Just so happens mine is build in with the traction control so I turn off the traction control button.

[downtheroad]

To answer your question about ball height:
This from the set up manual that came with the hitch.

Level the trailer and then measure the coupler height. Install the hitch head onto the receiver
shank, using the 3/4”-10 bolts, 3/4” lock washers and 3/4”-10 hex nuts. Measure the hitch head
ball height. The ball height needs to be the same or 1” higher than the trailer coupler height,The ball height needs to be the same or 1” higher than the trailer coupler height, adjust as necessary.

I make mine 1 inch higher...and it tows perfectly when trip ready and loaded.

[coolbreeze01]

If you don't have an electric tongue jack, buy one. Don't fight chain tension, it can hurt you.

Do you have these instructions? http://www.blueox.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/SwayproAllInstructions.pdf

[Mikesr]

Tongue weight dry of the camper in question is 980#
I may have the 1500# bars
Silly question but what happens if the WDH is setup as manufacturers recommend to the 9th link and the bars are oversized and the TT is not loaded ? My guess is the steering wheels have less weight leading to my original problem. So is one less link an option ? The tension on the bars when I unhooked was unreal. I want to love this hitch but before I can I have to at least like it and understand what makes it tick, I'm also thinking the ball may be too high, the Blue Ox does not give many increments on the receiver and the ball itself has a fixed position. Is it better to gave the ball slightly higher ?
Thanks again

[coolbreeze01]

Use your tongue jack to relieve chain tension. No tools needed. I use 2-3 links for my 10K trailer.

The hitch is excellent imo.

[Walaby]

Instead of guessing on the links (I agree 9 is a good place to start), if you get the instructions that go with the hitch, it will explain how to set everything up by taking measurements while TT and truck are on a flat surface.

Basically the goal is to measure the height of your front wheel well without anything hooked up. Then set up hitch so the height is the same (or as close as possible) when the TT and WD is hitched up. Ultimately getting weights is the best, but that will help you get close enough. Height of rear wheel wells are measured as well, but after you move weight forward with the hitch to reset the front wheels as they were, whatever you get measurement wise with the back is what it is.

Only other measurements (If I recall), is height of trailer tongue when hitched up... that, of course, you need to be level to slightly nose low.

It may not work 'as well' as the high dollar Equalizer, but it works plenty fine for me and is significantly cheaper.

Once you get it set up you will be happy with the performance.

Mike

[Hannibal]

According to these guys, it's not going to work as well as a Reese DC or the most popular hitch, the Equalizer.

https://www.etrailer.com/question-116001.html

[Mikesr]

Thank you for all the great suggestions.
I'll have to check the bar rating.
The service tech set it up on the 9th link and mentioned it may need to go one or two more. I like the breaker bar idea since I nearly took off a finger with the tool they provided. Anyone know what size socket that takes ?
For now I might just try going up one link and see what happens.
The TT has a factory installed BAL 7.1 auto leveling system with the integrated power tongue jack so I'm leaning that too. The jack operates from the same control panel that operates the leveling system and seems powerful enough to pick the back end of the truck up enough to relive the tension on the bars. Just seems like its excessively hight, might be that ball height set too high as mentioned.
Like suggested in other threads I need to get to the Cat Scale at the nearby Loves truck center. That might help me understand the weight better.
Great tips and I welcome more
Thanks again

[TucsonJim]

camperforlife wrote:

One more thing, if you have traction control control on your truck, they recommend turning it off as it fights with the anti sway properties of the hitch.

Thanks I didn't know that.

Jim

[camperforlife]

Blue Ox owner here. Good advice so far. I too was sold 1000lb bars with my trailer and experienced what you describe. I weighed my tongue when loaded and was at 1350. Dealer wasn't a lot of help swapping for 1500lb bars so I called Blue Ox and they swapped them no problem.

You should be hooking the chains on the 9th link. You can go up another link or two if needed. Make sure you have a good strong tongue jack to take the load off the bars before unhooking, they will snap the provided wrench right out of your hand. That is why most of us use a socket and breaker bar. If the release lever is hard to release you need to lift the jack to take more weight off before you release the bars.

One more thing, if you have traction control control on your truck, they recommend turning it off as it fights with the anti sway properties of the hitch.

[handye9]

As downtheroad mentioned, I would check the weight rating on the bars. BlueOx bar ratings jump from 1000 to 1500 lbs. You're pushing 1000 lbs tongue weight with empty trailer. If the dealer set you up with 1000 lb bars, they may not be transferring enough weight. The model number for the 1500 lb hitch is BXW1500.

Other possibility could be, the hitch ball is set too high, or, maybe a defect in the hitch.

My tongue weight fluctuates between 975 and 1200 lbs. I have the 1500 lb bars. First time towing (right after initial install), I actually had a bar crack. I called BlueOx and sent them pictures of the bent / cracked bar. They sent a new set of bars, overnight. Been three years now, without an issue.

Ditto on the long handled ratchet and a deep socket.

[downtheroad]

Blue Ox user here...and a big fan of it.
(previous hitches include Equal-i-zer and Reece Dual Cam)

Sounds like you have some under steer...not enough transfer to the front wheels. What weight bars did the dealer set you up with?
Our trailer has a gross weight of 10,000 lbs and we have the 1400 lb. bars.

Don't be afraid to put A LOT of tension on the bars. They are designed for that and it's how they transfer weight and how they control sway.
You really need to load your trailer trip ready to get a feel for how it will behave.

The little wrench that came with the hitch is worthless. Get a 24 in. ratcheting breaker bar (Harbor Freight) for hooking and unhooking the chains.

Again, I really like the Blue Ox. I get no sway at all in lots of conditions and many many miles since we got it.