Sway bar for wolf pup?

[smsmith]

I am purchasing a Wolf Pup TT. 3369 lbs dry. Do I need to get a sway bar or stabilization system? We will be pulling this with a F150. Thanks for any information.

[RAMwoodworks]

I had an 19' Ultralite (~2,500 lbs) and towed it with a 1500 GMC PU and an Acadia. I towed it with both vehicles with and w/o an Equal-I-zer weight distribution/sway hitch.

Even with that tiny trailer the ride difference with a 'properly' set up WD hitch is amazing. I would not consider going any distance w/o a WD hitch. So much smoother over dips and bumps in the road. Even stop & go traffic is smoother.

The key is properly set up. The instructions are simple it just takes a little time and a level spot. If your RV dealer doesn't need your tow vehicle to finalize set up they're doing it wrong. You should also re-check it after loading everything up. The only 'special' tools you may need are larger sockets than in a standard socket set, but everybody has a pipe wrench.

My WD hitch came with the used trailer when I bought it. I just slapped it on my truck and off I went. Then towed it with SWMBO's Acadia. Made all kinds of noise; creaking, moaning, and banging. Went online and read the manual. Made all the adjustments and it was like butter. If you're reading that someone's WD hitch makes noise I'll bet its not adjusted correctly.

[Hannibal]

Back in 94 we bought our first TT, an Algo 1850 Deluxe that advertised 3300 lb dry. We towed it with our '94 F150. Ready to go it weighed 4400 lbs. We used a WDH with no sway control for a while. Then tried it with just a ball and never used the WDH on it again. I would try it without first and see how it does.

[rbpru]

I tow a 25 ft Dutchmen with an E-boost F-150. I use the Blue Ox hitch supplied by the dealer. I have never had any issues with cross winds or panic stops.

[Terryallan]

You prolly don't need sway control in normal driving. however. should you need to dodge a deer, or some other sudden road hazard, a sway control bar comes in pretty handy.

Remember. Sway control is not meant to prevent sway. It is NOT anti sway. It is sway control. Sway control is only there to help stop /control sway once it has been induced by a sudden emergency maneuver. And you never know when that will happen. So balance the trailer. Makes sure it tows perfectly in NORMAL driving. Then add sway control, for those time when driving is not normal.

[falconbrother]

Here's one for $32.00 bucks.

http://www.harborfreight.com/trailer-sway-control-kit-96462.html

[atwowheelguy]

smsmith wrote:
I am purchasing a Wolf Pup TT. 3369 lbs dry. Do I need to get a sway bar or stabilization system? We will be pulling this with a F150. Thanks for any information.

I'm not sure what you are calling a stabilization system.

Some would say that a properly loaded and aligned trailer should not need any sway control. I think most folks towing install one in case the trailer is not perfectly weighted. A friction bar is available for as little as $40.


The sticker on your hitch receiver will tell you at what tongue weight you should install a weight distributing hitch (WDH). This one says 500 lbs. is the limit without the WDH.


When the tongue is set down on the hitch ball, some weight is lifted from the front wheels. If enough is lifted, traction is reduced and the steering and brakes don't work very well any more. The weight distributing hitch restores the weight to the front wheels to improve steering and braking.

[DutchmenSport]

You can try towing without them, see what happens. But if you experience unwanted behavior, be prepared to install both. I'd surely try it first without. I loaded my flat utility trailer with more than 3369 pounds and towed it with a Chevy S-10 many, many years ago. Never had a problem. Try it, see what happens. Chances are, you'll be OK.

You will need brakes on the trailer and a brake controller in the truck though. No getting around that. (Indiana requires brakes on any trailer with a combined weight of trailer and cargo over 3000 pounds).