truck/trailer sway
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
Jul-25-2020 03:09 PM
I've towed boats but never anything with a higher profile like a camper trailer. When we puruchased the trailer we also purchased a blue ox sway bar.
When there is wind and I'm towing on the interstate I feel like there is some slight sway. Not terrible but bad enough I have to slow down and keep both hands on the steering wheel. Also, bad enough that my wife won't help with the driving. When a semi passes I definitely feel sway...or like I momentarily lose total control.
Based on conversations with blue ox, and watching their videos, I've made adjustments and it is better but still doesn't seem right.
My tow vehicle is a 2020 Chevrolet half ton with the max tow package...rated to tow 11,300 lbs.
Is there something better, or in addition, to my blue ox sway bar? We plan on taking several long trips and I'm not sure that I feel comfortable the way it currently tows.
Any help is appreciated!
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
Oct-22-2020 08:00 PM
In my opinion, the Blue Ox doesn't really have much in its design that will radically improve sway. I have not experience with it but I am an engineer with a lot of experience with a lot of things and a lot of experience towing. I've used no sway control, a simple friction bar, and the Reese Dual Cam. I've been using the Dual Cam for 11+ years now and I love it. I think the brackets that connect to the trailer and not designed well and often need additional help in staying in place. But the sway control they provide is considerable. The simple friction bar to me helped a lot if tightened enough, but it also tended to hold the trailer and TV in a non-straight line. Where ever it stopped in its movement, it just wanted to stay there. It was hard to drive straight. The Dual Cam is always happy to drive straight ahead and provide even greater sway control than a friction bar. The cams want to stay in the straight ahead position on the Dual Cam. Mine is quite although on my current trailer (1200-1300 lbs TW) I do need to use a little Vaseline on the cams. I never had to on my prior trailer with 850 lbs of TW. Both of my trailers have tended to run 15% + TW. No issues. The other thing that makes a huge difference is tire construction. Depending on the vehicle tire size/type that may mean a switch to a higher performance tire that also has a higher speed rating. Or typically on a truck that means switching to a load range E LT tire.
The Hensley or Propride are a hitch category of their own and seem to be well worth it if you have the money to spare. Glad you are happy with your solution! Happy camping!!
2003 Chevrolet 2500 4x4 Suburban 8.1L 4.10's
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
Oct-09-2020 08:30 AM
Also glad that the "get a bigger truck" crowd didn't jump into this thread. You have a very workable combo.
Best wishes.
2006 Airstream 25 FB SE
Equalizer Hitch
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
Oct-08-2020 08:36 PM
Some said you are transferring too much weight back to the front wheels, this leads me to think you have the wrong link of chain. Only go to the tenth or eleventh link if you need to put more weight on the front.
Do you have the right bars? They should have three dimples machined in them near the fat end of the bar that would be 1000 lb bars.
Charles
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
Oct-08-2020 05:11 PM
On the way down we had a 30 mph cross wind. Of course, my rig felt the wind but there was no sway and the wind movement was totally predictable.
With the propride I was able to drive the 70 mph speed limit or even faster. On the way home my wife drove for a bit and felt totally comfortable.
Very expensive but based on my previous experience, very worth the money.
Again, thanks to everybody for the help as it was greatly appreciated!
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
Aug-22-2020 05:49 PM
allkidd wrote:
I hate to put out this much money but I ordered a Propride hitch. They appear to be the best.
I have one (a Hensley, but same folks). It doesn't reduce sway. It removes it -- the word disappears from your vocabulary and the problem will become a distant memory.
Trust me. When you install the Pro-Pride it will fix the problem entirely.
Let us know how it works!
2017 Ram CC LB Cummins,
35' Windjammer
30' Sea Ray
I used to tandem-tow (hence my username), but my trailers grew too big.
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
Aug-12-2020 11:42 AM
IMO, that heavy of tongue weight and light in the @ss end since you aren't hauling heavy toys in it, "should" add to the stability.
Sorry to hear this, but before spending big bucks on a new hitch, maybe analyze what kind of "sway" you were getting and what your past experience and expectations are for comparison to the current experience toeing this trailer.
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
Aug-12-2020 11:10 AM
I hate to put out this much money but I ordered a Propride hitch. They appear to be the best.
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
Aug-02-2020 07:57 AM
2011 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
Equalizer E4 1200/12000
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
Aug-02-2020 05:55 AM
camperforlife wrote:
OK I haven't been on here in a while and I skimmed the replies. I had that squirrely feeling with my Blue Ox and just couldn't get it tuned in. I talked with Blue Ox several times and finally a tech at Blue Ox said in some rare tuck/trailer combos the trucks built in traction control/anti sway fought the Blue Ox set up. He suggested shutting off the traction control. I did it and now it's the best towing trailer that I've ever towed.
I never thought of the traction control being a problem. I will give it a try...thanks!
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
Aug-01-2020 06:34 PM
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
Jul-31-2020 04:26 AM
Sjm9911 wrote:
I hate to say it, hes pretty good on weight. And i still say lt tires will help some. But in the end its a bigger TT and there will be some assosiations that come with that. You could get lt tires, bigger suspention in the back but it will still be work. Just the way it is. ( i still think the tires will help a lot). The guys that say they have a half ton pick up and tow 6000lbs TT and dont feel it are not atually telling the whole story.
Sounds like my trailer with my 1/2 ton. Do I feel it? yes the truck accelerates and slows longer than no trailer. Can I drive with one hand ? yes! Does it sway? NO! Does it suck push with semis passing? depends on their passing speed. Do I need a bigger truck? Nope!! It's a pleasure to tow. Could be because my 1/2 ton runs about 7000lbs (it's gross is 7050) and the camper is only 6500.
2018 Adventurer 21RBS 7700 GVWR.
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
Jul-30-2020 10:13 PM
It’s a trailer. Heavy tongue weight (expected. Load 1000lbs in the back and report back to us.
Or get over the fact that pulling a trailer doesn’t feel like driving a buick.
Sheesh
You’re good
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
Jul-30-2020 09:59 PM
allkidd wrote:
According to a calculator I found online, my tongue weight is 18%. I think everybody agrees this is too high.
How do I bring this down?
As suggested, I increased my truck tire pressure to 50. For the short highway drive to the weight station, it seemed to help some but don't think it is the total solution.
Several have mentioned the equalizer as the best system. I might be interested in switching. My Blue Ox uses chains for connection and it is very difficult to get it as tight as the manufacturer recommends. I have to raise the hitch way high to get it latched on and off. Even at that it requires a lot of strength of which I'm not sure I will have enough of everyday.
I ran the Reese Dual Cam system on mine and was very happy with it. No sway and easy to hook up.
Son Brandon 17yrs
Daughter Marissa 16yrs
Dog Bailey
12 Forest River Georgetown 350TS Hellwig sway bars, BlueOx TrueCenter stabilizer
13 Ford Explorer Roadmaster Stowmaster 5000, VIP Tow>
A bad day camping is
better than a good day at work!
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
Jul-30-2020 08:22 PM
2020 Silverado 2500
Equalizer ( because i have it)
Formerly a pup owner.