sway bar information

[L-B_Travelers]

I just purchased my first travel trailer: Keystone Passport 239ML, 25 foot and will be pulling it with a RAM 2500. Do I need sway bar assist when truck has Trailer Brake Control system? If yes, what sway bar systems will work with this setup?

[L-B_Travelers]

Thanks for the quick responses, I really appreciate it. The 2500 towing capability far exceeds the trailer weight/hitch weight. The RAM has the heavy duty towing package trailer electronic brake and sway assist. Without having pulled a "trailer box" shape, am concerned about sway from semi's. Figure if I can feel pull in traffic now, trailer sway control may be desired in advance of pulling it out of storage.

Truck has class v receiver, 8" drop hitch and 2 5/16 ball that was used to pull 4K construction debris trailer.

[goducks10]

https://www.keystonerv.com/product/passport-sl/comfort-travel-trailers/floorplans/239MLWE

With this TT I don't think you'll need a WDH. I would see how it tows without and go from there.
4430 dry weight and 436 lbs for dry tongue weight. Add 1000 lbs to the TT and you're around 5500 lbs.
5500 lbs x 12%=660 lbs for TW. 25'5" long should be an easy pull for any 2500.

If you do think it would tow better I'd go with an Andersen WDH or the
https://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Distribution-Hitch/Fastway/FA94-00-0800.html

[jdc1]

Just get an "Equalizer" hitch set-up and be done with it.

[valhalla360]

cekkk wrote:
Your brake controller applies Your trailers brakes. You should learn how to adjust it so that you are getting the proper amount of braking from the trailer.

There are sway systems that apply a little trailer brake if the trailer starts to sway which will tend to pull the trailer back in line with the truck.

But better to get the weight set up correctly, so it's not swaying in the first place.

[opnspaces]

Hi L-B travelers welcome to the forum. When you say your RAM has a brake control system are you referring to the system that controls the trailer brakes? Or are you referring to a built in sway control using the trailer brakes. If you're not too sure, just hit the "Reply to topic" button at the bottom of the page and post the year of your truck and we can look it up and possibly see what kind of system you have.

But to answer your question, yes I believe you should be looking into some kind of sway control. There are many different types of sway control on the market ranging from a $50 add on sway bar to a $2,500 Hensley or Pro-Pride.

Be aware that Sway is typically caused by one of two factors. Too much weight behind the trailer axles giving your trailer a light tongue weight. Or driving too fast. Probably the best thing to do is to load the trailer up, put the heavier items in front of the axles and go camping to see how it all pulls.

The trailer will always move and wiggle from time to time behind your truck, that is normal. But if you feel it's starting to oscillate too much or it actually starts to sway back and forth (you'll know it when it happens) Slow down. If it's just a minor sway that makes you uncomfortable just lift your foot off the accelerator and slow down. If it is a big uncomfortable sway you need to use the slider switch on the brake control in the truck to apply the trailer brakes.

If sway occurs do not speed up to try to tighten the link between the truck and trailer, you'll only make things worse. Manually apply the trailer brakes which will tighten the link between the two and slow you down at the same time.

Oh and also be aware, we love to spend your money. So take everything with a grain of salt and consider carefully before you go spending money on things we recommend.

[cekkk]

Your brake controller applies Your trailers brakes. You should learn how to adjust it so that you are getting the proper amount of braking from the trailer. You don't want too much. I'm certainly no expert but I don't think the brake controller has anything to do with sway. If I were you I would get a weight distribution system with sway control. But far more knowledgeable people should be giving you an answer pretty soon.