Sway control

[lgroat]

I'm concerned about the amount of sway we have with our trailer. I feel that it gets too unstable when semi's and even SUVs pass us. Admittedly, my past towing experiences were with an F250 diesel towing a 2500# horse trailer and THAT was very stable.

We are towing with a 2015 RAM 1500 with a full towing package. The trailer is a Premier Tracer 27.5 weighing in at approx 6500#. We have a haulmaster hitch rated for 10000# and 1000# tongue weight. The camper should be at about 850# tongue weight. We've made sure things are level etc... It just feels too unstable for me. Hubby seems to think it is okay. I really wish we'd gone for the heavier truck. That old F250 never budged. I am wondering if I am setting my expectations too high after my previous towing experiences?

I was looking at better hitch options..the pro ride or blue ox? Also at the Hellwig sway bars. Any opinions on these or advice?

[lgroat]

aftermath wrote:
Whoops.

Try this.

www.airforums.com/forums/f464/weight-ratios-69739/html

Got it. Thanks.
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f464/weight-ratios-69739.html

[aftermath]

Whoops, again! I guess this link is dead. You can go to the Airstream forum and search steps for weighing. Sorry the technology got away from me. I will try again and let you know if I find a solution.

[aftermath]

Whoops.

Try this.

www.airforums.com/forums/f464/weight-ratios-69739/html

[aftermath]

Steps for weighing

Here it is. I found this quite useful and was amazed at my calculated tongue weight.

[aftermath]

This link is informative but does not provide any direction as to what you need to do to actually calculate your tongue weight from all the data. If someone does not chime in with help I will forward a nice description later today. First I have to find it.

[bobndot]

lgroat wrote:
Thanks again all! I see that we do have a CAT scale at a truck stop within 30 minutes of the house. I agree that we need to optimize what we currently have before considering a replacement. Still, it is good to hear about those that you all find superior.

We'll hit the scale, measure the tongue weight and air up the tires this weekend. I did insist on the E rated tires when we replaced them back in December.

Tell the scale operator that you will need to do multiple weights. They are reduced fees for the 2nd and 3rd weigh.

There might be some good info. in the below link .

http://learntorv.com/how-to-weigh-a-travel-trailer/

[hohenwald48]

I use two of these. Work just fine and a lot cheaper than a new hitch.

Sway Control

[aftermath]

Whoops, gotta be honest. I did experience a small sway, more like a squishy feeling during a corner while heading downhill. Was driving my new to me, Airstream and didn't like the feeling. I was at the end of the life of my P radials which came with the Tundra. Changed over to LT LRE tires and that cured that.

Propride hitches are GREAT hitches as are Hensleys. They do cost plenty so if you are in a position to shell out a big price, you might want to look at them. I like my Equalizer and it has served me well.

[aftermath]

First of all, your TV is just fine for towing your trailer. Half tons make great tow vehicles for trailers like yours. I second a lot of the things mentioned here. Get your trailer weighed. Make sure it is level or slightly nose down and then get some sway control. Your hitch is a WD hitch only. I did read an add that said something like "help control sway". Well, I am sure they are stretching it a bit here.

I am a fan of a hitch with built in sway control. Reese makes a good one and so does Equalizer. An add on sway bar is better than nothing and many use them safely. You are pulling a large wind sail down the road and sway is a real concern. Get the trailer set up properly, add some sway control and you should be fine.

I have towed two different trailers over 55K miles with my Equalizer and have never experienced sway.

[lgroat]

Thanks again all! I see that we do have a CAT scale at a truck stop within 30 minutes of the house. I agree that we need to optimize what we currently have before considering a replacement. Still, it is good to hear about those that you all find superior.

We'll hit the scale, measure the tongue weight and air up the tires this weekend. I did insist on the E rated tires when we replaced them back in December.

[Durb]

I had a 6,000# trailer behind a 1/2 ton truck and a Reese SC hitch. The SC has built in sway control as the spring bars ride on friction material. The trailer never swayed once in 5 years. About $500.

[RCMAN46]

Highly recommend getting the sway issue corrected before adding sway control.

But do add sway control for the unusual conditions such as a deer crossing in front of you or being cut off by someone.

[rbpru]

Our Blue Ox hitch has sway control as part of the design. But when our 9 ft. x 25 ft. wall of aluminum get a side blast from Semis, buses or wind it is going to move a bit.

I suppose a heavier TV and stiffer suspension would help but I have never found the bump to be that much of a problem.

[Community Alumni]

You'll need to know the actual weight of the trailer along with the tongue weight to figure out what percent tongue you're running. You can see if there's a CAT scale near you using the locator below.

Cat Scale Locator

Also you can use the bathroom scale method to determine your tongue weight.



Have a look at the Blue Ox Sway Pro hitch. It's much cheaper than the Propride and controls sway very well.