Upgrade to a different WDH or add a 2nd sway control?

[mikeinaz]

I had a 23'HTT and recently stepped up to a 26' TT, I gained about 800lbs in trailer weight doing so. My TV is a newer Dodge Durango and
it does have a shorter wheelbase than a lot of TV's. I have an EZ lift WDH and friction sway control which worked perfect on the smaller TT. I do get a bit of sway on the new one (about 6k loaded), Ive put all the weight I can over the tongue to try to take that factor out of it.

Should I upgrade to a different system like a Blue Ox (which I have heard great review on) or just add a 2nd friction bar? I have heard the cheaper WDH like I have are not meant for the longer TT's but I am at 26', not super long like some on here I read about. I am most likely going to get a new SUV w/ a little longer wheelbase as well in the near future. Thoughts appreciated. Mike

[mikeinaz]

I had weighed it at the scales loaded up except for the fridge was empty and there was no cooler on board. So figure 200lbs max missing and it would sit about 1/4 of the way back in the TT. My loaded TT weight was 5900lbs and when I weighed my vehicle w/ and w/out the tongue on the ball there was a difference of 760lbs on my TV weight. So 13% of 5900 is right at the 760 pound mark, I am about where I need to be for tongue weight.

I think I am going to hook up and see of the adjustments are correct compared to the link that was included in this thread, maybe something is just off a bit. It does not sway a lot, but from everything I have read and even comments here, it should not do it at all under normal circumstances and it does it more than my tad lighter and shorter trailer did. I know my wheelbase is not helping matters any w/ the Durango as a TV. Thanks again guys!

[campigloo]

Get the 2nd sway control. Cheap, easy and you don't have to remove it to go backwards. I pull a 36' with two and it works just fine. Like others have said though, you should only need it in windy conditions or when other vehicles pass you or in panic stops. The trailer should pull straight without any sway control in ideal circumstances.

[carringb]

You should not need any sway control under normal conditions. Yes, it's good to have sway control for those non-normal conditions (i.e. bad weather, emergency lane changes) but if you have sway under normal conditions, you really should try to fix that first.

Have you weighed it? Too much tongue weight can be bad too, as that still allows the load center to induce yaw moments (steering forces) on the tow vehicle. Are your tire pressures adjusted for your actual load? Instead of adding weight towards the front, can you remove weight from the rear of the trailer (spare tire maybe?)? The closer the mass is to the trailer axles, the better it will tow. That's why boats tow so well even with only 5-8% tongue weight.

[7and7]

I've tried a lot of different hitches over the years and the least expensive one I could find ($129.00) coupled with Straptek beats anything I've tried, even Blue Ox or Reese dual cam. I would never again spend that kind of money on a hitch. I wouldn't buy the 129.00 one again either, the welds are scary.

[BarneyS]

Check out this thread, which is stuck at the top of this forum, for good advice and help on the proper set-up and operation of your weight distributing hitch.
Barney

[mikeinaz]

Thanks for all the advice and opinions! Don't laugh but I had Camping World set up the hitch when I traded in my other unit. Not sure what to look for other than the TT being level when the bars are engaged. I use the fourth chain link from the end opposite the bars to connect with. I have everything I can load in the front of the TT as well as I had the spare mounted under the tongue as well so there is nothing in the back. I will try adding the 2nd sway bar as its a cheap way to go and see how it performs. If that doesn't work I will get a new TV, lol! Thanks again.

[BarneyS]

I would think that adding another sway bar on the other side would be adequate for what you want to tow. You may want to try towing the trailer with what you have now though before you add anything else. It may tow fine.

A single sway bar is usually good for up to about a 26 foot trailer. I would try it with one and see how it goes first. Your tow vehicle is not a large truck though so the addition of a 2nd bar would help a lot if you have problems.
Make sure your tongue weight percentage is good, tires aired up, and that your hitch is setup properly before you begin.
Barney

[TXiceman]

I never like the separate friction sway control systems. Look at the Reese Dual Cam Straightline hitch. Reasonable on price and a very well proven design.

Ken

[tempforce]

i had a 32' trailer. easy lift hitch with 1k bars and was using one sway control.
fought sway even after upgrading to a 1ton truck.. tried adding the dual cam system to the easy lift. ended up solving most of my sway issues... still had some from large trucks when in windy conditions..
having the load balanced helps a lot... i used truck scales to set my easy lift hitch, for setting weight transfer, also made sure i only had 1 inch of slope down at the front of my trailer (compared to back of trailer)...... which made a large improvement...

[jerem0621]

I pulled 31 ft TT with a standard WD hitch and two sway controls and it worked great.

I also own Reese Dual Cam and there was no difference in they way the trailer behaved or felt with a standard WD hitch and two sway control bars.

#1 step is to make sure your WD hitch is adjusted correctly. You should not be experiencing ANY sway with just a weight distribution hitch and the trailer loaded correctly.

What is normally described as sway is really just normal push and pull 'wiggle' from passing vehicles. What you will feel is the bow wave from passing vehicles or gusts of wind. First you will feel the TT pushed then you will feel the TV pushed.

For me adding a single sway bar took a lot of the wiggle out, the second sway bar the rest out and made the trailer and truck feel like one unit while the wind blew and the vehicles passed.

If I get another TT it will have a standard WD hitch and two sway controls.

For my recommendation to you, I would buy a $50.00 second sway bar and run it before you spend $600.00 on a new hitch.

Thanks!

Jeremiah