Comparing B&W Continuum And Reese Strait-Line Weight Distribution Systems

Products Featured in This Question

B&W Continuum Weight Distribution System w/ Sway Control for 2" Hitch - 16K GTW, 1.6K TW

(116)

$1299.00

B&W Continuum Weight Distribution System w/ Sway Control for 2" Hitch - 16K GTW, 1.6K TW

(116)

$1299.00

Question:

I see the BandW Continuum is rated for “severe sway”. Does it have better sway control/prevention than the Reece Strait Line? Will be towing a 30’ 6,000# travel trailer with a tow package F-150. I’m looking for the most aggressive sway control I can get without stepping into the $4000 ProPride 3P.

asked by: Chris

Expert Reply:

The B&W Continuum # BW78FR and the Reese Strait-Line # RP66083 are both great systems. The B&W Continuum is going to be easier to set up, but as far as sway control goes, I definitely have to give the edge to the Reese Strait-Line.

The Continuum does a great job leveling your ride which will in turn help with sway. We have found in our tests that the steel spring bars and dual-cam sway control that the Reese system uses will give you better sway reduction. Not only preventing sway from happening in the first place, but it will actively reduce sway as it happens.

Reese Strait-Line # RP66083 is made for trailers with a tongue weight between 400 and 800 lbs. I am not sure of the exact tongue weight of your travel trailer, but I imagine with a 6,000 lb GVWR you will be within that range to where you will get effective leveling and sway control.

If you are having severe sway issues, you may also want to address the rear suspension of your truck if you haven't already. Something like an air bag kit would go a really long way to level your ride, reduce sway and improve ride quality. Using an air bag kit along with a weight distribution system is something that we recommend fairly often for extreme sway. This would be a great option if you want results, but don't want to fork over 4,000 dollars for a Pro Pride hitch.

Also, loading the trailer as evenly as possible will help to reduce sway. Just thought I'd throw that out there.

If you want to send me all of the year, make and model information for your truck I am happy to show you some good suspension enhancement options.

expert reply by: Jesse M

Chris

2/23/2024

Thanks Jesse, I apologize for the typo in the first line of my post. When I search on eTrailer and compare 3 different models, the Strait-Line is listed with "Some Sway" where the BlueOx SwayPro and B&W Continuum are listed as "Severe Sway". Can you explain how these ratings are determined? I have seen a number of conversations on this site where the Strait-Line is recommended so I'm curious why it gets the lower sway rating.

Jesse M.

2/23/2024

@Chris The rating system you referred to is simply product facets created by our content team. I am not sure why the Strait-Line is not listed for severe sway, but I can tell you from personal hands-on experience that it will be a very good option for your application. If you feel more comfortable going with something that is listed for severe sway, take a look at the Blue-Ox SwayPro # BXW0756. Blue Ox makes a very solid system. The SwayPro is my personal favorite WD system. I would put the SwayPro just above the Strait Line as far as performance and durability.

Chris

2/23/2024

@JesseM Would you rank the BlueOx SwayPro as having more sway prevention than either the Strait-Line or the B&W Continuum?

Jesse M.

2/23/2024

@Chris Yes I would.

Greg B.

5/19/2025

I’m researching the Continuum system. I see the Reese is for 4-800lb tongue weight so I excluded that. I have an F150 Lariat with the tow package and am pulling a Grand Design 296RDTS. Loaded with our stuff it’s about 10K with about a 1000lb tongue weight. The truck pulls the camper fine but my last trip in high winds scared the crap out of me with an old equalizer bar system from my last camper that was a little smaller (27 feet). I’m hoping the Continuum is going to make a big difference. The reason for this message is I see you recommend an air bag system on my truck. Can you expand on that for me? What system should I be looking at and what should I expect to pay?

Jesse M.

5/20/2025

@GregB So the Continuum is great for ride leveling but in reality it does very little/nothing to control sway. You would not want to use an air bag kit with the Continuum system as they will basically fight against each other and render both systems less effective. I actually have an associate here who has the Continuum on his truck with air bags and he actually ended up having to remove the air bags to get the full effect of the Continuum. If you are having bad sway, I would have to recommend going with something different. So for your 10,000 lb trailer I recommend the Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System w/ 4-Point Sway Control # EQ37120ET. This will do a much better job eliminating/controlling sway compared to the Continuum. If you want to look into air bags I will need to know the full year, make and model of your truck. I also need to know if it is 2wd or 4wd. Let me know