sway and wd

[wheels07]

Hi Everyone!! Do I need a sway bar and weight dist for 25 foot nomad TT. Or just the WD>

[brulaz]

Hmmm, guess it depends upon the truck/trailer and driver.

I don't use a WDH, so no sway control. The trailer is 24', 4000# loaded with 500# on the tongue. The truck is a 2011 F150 with 145" wheelbase weighs 6500# loaded. We've gone to Florida and back twice, and all around Ontario with no problems.

But I know another guy with the same trailer and a Tundra who insists on using a WDH with good sway control.

Not sure what the difference is. Maybe the truck to trailer weight ratio? Also, I have switched the truck to LT tires and beefed up the wimpy suspension. And I only go ~ 60mph. Maybe all that helps. Dunno.

[myredracer]

Sorry for the double post.

[myredracer]

Our last truck was an F150 and it towed a 20' trailer. We had no sway control and it was almost hell on earth where it was really windy or on the interstate with big semis passing. Lesson learned. We now have an F250 pulling a 29' trailer and have the Reese dual cam setup. Sway begone! Bring on the wind.... 🙂

You don't say what your tow vehicle is, but you might want to know what your actual payload capacity is on the TV by going to a scale along with the trailer. This will also allow you to determine your actual tongue weight. That way you will be able to get the correct bar rating for your WDH and also ensure you aren't overloading your TV (payload capacity and hitch capacity). Our actual tongue weight ended up nearly double the factory listed dry tongue weight.

Just to clarify, skipnchar's 500 lb limit on the TV is for no WDH installed. The capacity goes way up with a WDH in place.

[wheels07]

Thanks for all the replies. Going with both. I have some valuable passengers.

[Sandia_Man]

Yes it is in your best interest safety wise. My WD has integrated sway control (SC) and with the winds we encounter in our neck of the woods, I wouldn't leave home without it.

[skipnchar]

Anti sway is ALWAYS optional (but it's a very good option) When a trailer sway event begins is a very bad time to go shopping for it. WD is necessary IF your fully loaded tongue weight exceeds your trailer hitches load bearing capacity. Most half ton trucks and many heavy duty trucks have a 500 lb. load bearing weight limit (give or take 50 lb. or so). One safe way to figure the fully loaded tongue weight is to use 15% of the trailers GVWR (from it's DOT) safety plate located on the front lower side of the trailer). AGAIN the WD is another good option even if it's NOT necessary in your case. It makes the tow veicle ride MUCH better (when properly sized and properly set up) even when weight transfer is not an absolute necessity.

Good luck / Skip

[bradnailer]

Agree, I'd never tow without some type of sway control. Even used it on my pop up.

[aftermath]

The Equalizer BRAND hitch mentioned by beemerphile is not what you are talking about. People use the term "equalizer" in regards to any weight distributing (equalizing) hitch. The Equalizer brand incorporates both weight distribution and sway control at the same time.

I would not tow without some kind of sway control. An ounce of prevention and all that stuff.

[wheels07]

Thanks for the help. I have a equalizer. Just wondered about the sway bar

[beemerphile1]

You most likely need WD. Sway control is optional.

If you are starting from scratch I would recommend the Equal-i-zer brand WD hitch that incorporates four point sway control. There are also others but they generally carry a higher price tag.