Reese Friction Sway Control Kit - Economy - by Draw-Tite, Reese and Hidden Hitch
(389 reviews)
Price: $137.04
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Reese Friction Sway Control Kit - Economy - by Draw-Tite, Reese and Hidden Hitch
Item # 83660
Our Price: $137.04
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Reese Accessories and Parts - 83660
- Weight Distribution Hitch
- Sway Control Parts
- Reese
Used to reduce trailer sway and improve handling in adverse towing conditions. Unit dampens trailer sway caused by crosswinds and traffic for improved stability and increased towing safety.
Features:
- Reduces trailer sway caused by winds, curving roads or sudden maneuvers
- Lets you adjust tension for the perfect amount of control and resistance
- Operates on the principle of "stiffening" the coupling between the tow vehicle and trailer
- The degree of "stiffening" or friction is adjusted to suit various trailer weights and towing conditions
- Installs and removes quickly and easily
- Attaches to either side of trailer tongue
- Removes with just 2 clips
- Includes sway control arm, ball, ball plate and hardware
- Sway-control bracket sold separately
- Constructed of powder coated steel for durability and corrosion resistance
Specs:
- Ball shank length: 1-1/4" (1" is threaded)
- Ball plate assembly measures 6" long x 3" tall overall
- 10-Year limited warranty
Note: Do not use with Class I trailer hitches. Cannot be used with surge brakes. For trailers exceeding 26' long use two friction sway controls or dual cam sway control.
Draw-Tite # 40660; Reese # 83660, Economy Friction Sway Control
Installation Details
California residents: click here
Customer Satisfaction Score:
97% were satisfied with this product
3% of customers were not satisfied
- Wrong item was ordered
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Customer Reviews
Reese Friction Sway Control Kit - Economy - by Draw-Tite, Reese and Hidden Hitch - 83660
Average Customer Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars (389 Customer Reviews)
Used to reduce trailer sway and improve handling in adverse towing conditions. Unit dampens trailer sway caused by crosswinds and traffic for improved stability and increased towing safety.by: Kimberly05/06/2022
Works GREAT to reduce sway which is important as I’m pulling a trailer that’s a bit long for my SUV. First time I towed it home without the sway bar and felt every little breeze and got sway anytime I went over 60mph. This bar has totally changed that and made me MUCH more comfortable towing - thank you!
by: Stephen09/05/2022
I think the Reese Friction Control Bar is quite effective in reducing the sway. The only criticism that I have is the grinding/groaning noise it makes when making turns. I haven't been successful adjusting the tension, as recommended in instructions, to eliminate this prtoblem despite repeated attempts. Also, earlier during the installation process I had contacted customer service with a couple of questions, but did not receives a response.
by: Jennifer04/10/2022
I’m so glad we purchased this and installed the day before our trip! What an amazing difference it made. Towing my trailer was tighter and no “wobbles” going over bumps! The sway bar was super easy to install and made for a much better ride for my recent road trip!!
by: Richard06/25/2022
Easy unit to install on our 16' Scamp. On the first trip I noticed the difference immediately at higher speeds. Easy to take off when you get to camp and are about to back into the space.
by: Ted B08/26/2017
I bought the pro series anti sway kit for our 5000lb horse trailer because the trailer would begin oscillating sometimes when speeds were higher than about 50mph. The damper kit solved the problem I drove it up to 75mph after installing the kit and adjusting the drag according to the instructions. Installation was easy and the instructions were great. The quality was excellent. All the pieces we're included.
by: Jeff J08/05/2017
Towed my travel trailer without an anti-sway device and when tractor trailers passed me the sway made me nervous. Installed this and towed my travel trailer, sway reduced immediately. Awesome product from Reese.
by: Britt 11/20/2022
Made a Hugh difference in my teardrop towing experience, even with Santa Ana winds !!
by: Tim05/20/2022
Pull utility trailer behind our fifth wheel trailer. This sway control worked very well. Easy to install and adjust
by: Henry03/16/2021
Unparalleled excellence, etrailer’s continued customer support after the sale is why they should be everyone’s go to source for trailer parts and accessories.
Comments
It still works fine, 1 year later.
Henry - 03/17/2022by: J.P.07/03/2017
I can't say enough good things about this product! We have a large Coleman pop-up camper (3000lbs) that is miserable to tow. It's like putting a leash on a cat and walking it into the ocean. You could not tow it over 60 mph due to the horrible sway. I mounted this sway control kit on (not really expecting any miracles but hoping) and was blown away. Absolutely night and day difference! My pop-up tracks perfectly straight behind the vehicle and has Zero sway! I highly recommend this system for anyone with a pop-up camper or any smaller trailer that's having sway issues. For the price and ease of use, this thing can't be beat!
Comments
1 year later and it still works like a dream. This was by far the best money spent on a product. I never could have imagined what a major improvement it would make.
J.P. - 07/03/2018by: Darryl 09/18/2022
Great add-on. Easy set up and and insta llation.
by: Henry 07/20/2022
It has worked well for every trip including interstate and roads through the mountains
by: Louisa05/20/2022
can't live without this and a small trailer necessary item... is also weight distribution!
by: Larry R.08/05/2014
I installed this on the left side as recommend because of the length of my camper 32+ feet, Pro Series Friction Sway Control Kit . It stopped the sway in the trailer I'm still learning how much tension to apply
Comments
Did one help control sway or do you recommend having right and left friction control for longer travel trailers? I pull ours with a Tahoe.
-- comment by: Brooke - 09/20/2014
by: Patrick07/13/2018
Purchased from etrailer super fast delivery and great price. Easy install. Excellent customer service, communication, and follow-up. Will use etrailer for my source of other needed products in the future.
by: Matt06/21/2016
If you already have a Pro Series weight distributing hitch (WDH) this is the stablilizer that goes with it and I am sure that it is acceptible for use with other manufacturers of WDHs. Installation is very easy following the single page of instructions; mark where you need to mount the plate on the trailer frame, drill six pilot holes, bolt the plate down and install the ball on the hitch and you are good to go. My Pro Series WDH came with one stabilizer, but after one long trip with high cross winds and heavily rutted roads I decided that I needed two stablilzers for my 32' long travel trailer as is reccomended here for any trailer over 26' length. These stabilizers, while simple in design, get the job done.
Comments
After one year of use and thousands of miles two stabilizers on a long trailer is the only way to go. Finding the correct amount of friction is still somewhat of a guessing game, but the units are still working great and making the task of towing such a long travel trailer much more manageable.
Matt - 06/21/2017by: Vic L08/03/2019
Towing my 19’ Jayco trailer with my Jeep Grand Cherokee without sway control was a bit of a challenge on the highway alongside tractor trailers. With a tongue weight of less than 300 lbs I didn’t need any load leveling assist so I opted for this economical solution. Mounting was straightforward and after a bit of adjustment to the tension, I was able to hit a happy point where the sway was virtually eliminated but the squeaking or groaning of the friction device at low speed was minimal. Highly recommend for trailers 3000 lbs and less.
Comments
After a year it continues to perform perfectly
Vic L - 08/04/2020by: Rob K.01/27/2017
This is the second product I have ordered from etrailer.com and not the last. When I order something in the morning I get it the next day. They are in the next state over but still very quick shipping. I purchased this because I have read that you should use 2 (one on each side) of these when pulling longer than a 26' tt. Mine is 32' and I have had a little sway with one. I do wish that the dealer I bought my TT from would of just spent a little more time and put 2 on in the first place. But I was able to get one fast from etrailer.com and now I feel confident that it will reduce the sway a bit more.
by: Steven10/15/2018
Did not help a lot on my swaying problem. I think it is a leveling problem when I am towing. I am thinking about adding leveling bags.
Comments
Many factors can affect whether a trailer will sway or not. You will want to tow the trailer so that it is within an inch and a half or so +/- of level. Make sure the trailer is properly loaded so that the trailers tongue weight equals 10-15 percent of the trailers weight. If the trailer is too light on the tongue, its more likely to sway. Make sure also that the trailers suspension is in good repair and that the axle is not bent. Also keep in mind that a friction sway control unit like this works best for trailers up to 25 feet in length. For longer trailer, using two friction sway units, one on each side of the trailer tongue is recommended.
-- 
Mike L - 10/15/2018by: Ed01/22/2018
The Sway control kit was exactly what I needed when towing a long trailer with my short wheelbase truck. It is very well made and was easy to install.
etrailer is a great company to do business with, from their helpful staff, to vast inventory, great prices, to super fast shipping, and followup on the sale.
Ii will be doing business with etrailer again!
Comments
Good morning, George! Im still enjoying both of those. I tow the trailer about once a month and use them both. The trailer is a tandem axle, 8W x 12L enclosed cargo trailer and has a GVW of 7,500lb. My 06 Tundra tows it beautifully, even fully loaded, thanks to the weight distributing kit and the mirrors allow me to see down both sides of the trailer. Thanks again for great products and great customer service!
Ed - 01/22/2019by: Ralph04/25/2016
I ordered and received the ball mount and sway bar together. They were received very promptly and in excellent shape. They are very heavy, i.e., heavy duty. The bracket that was fitted to the trailer was about half a screw wider than optimal size for my smallish trailer but did fit. Installation was easy. The self-tapping screws functioned well. All-in-all, a 10 out of 10 experience.
Comments
Great. No problems.
Ralph - 04/25/2017by: Caryn07/07/2020
Product has worked great so far. Easy to install. Great customer service and recommendations. Thank you etrailer!
Used on 18' hybrid TT with 2"x3" A-frame.
Comments
Worked flawlessly on a few cross-country trips. Sold the trailer recently, the new owner should expect the same great performance.
Caryn - 07/09/2021by: Steven06/26/2015
This is my second Pro Series Friction Sway control I bought from etrailer, the first one is still good and in use on my Jayco camper.
I bought a second one for my 1969 Yellowstone Camper 18S, it pulls great, but like how these work, so I thought it would better to have it, then not. With my Jayco it was all over the road, even when loaded right, these helped out great.
They are easy to put on and off, the cost is really nothing, compared to being worried about the sway as you drive, it makes your trips more relaxing.
Comments
Thanks for following up, after using it now for a years time, with 17 camping trips and almost 3000 miles using it, it is still like new, working great, was a big help in South Dakota with the wind. For little money spent, a extra couple of minutes putting it on every time I hook up it has paid for itself. Just remember to clean the slide bar after it rains to remove any surface rust and I keep a little bit of grease on each ball and I always take it off when backing up so it does not bend on you. Would not leave home without it.
Steven - 06/25/2016by: Rick L.07/17/2016
I purchased this sway control bar along with mounting bracket to mount on my RZR trailer that I pull behind my 26 ft bumper pull travel trailer. We get a lot of wind in Idaho and the light weight trailer would start to fishtail uncontrollably in high winds.
Most of the other brackets for sway control devices either needed to be welded on my hitch or I would have to buy a totally new hitch with the bracket already attached.
The sway control bar installed easily and the instructions were very easy to understand.
The bracket installed easily and etrailer shipped fast so the problem was eliminated quickly. It worked so well that I purchased a second one for my travel trailer as well.
Now I don't worry or hesitate to pull my camping train in the wind.
Thanks etrailer and keep up the good work!!!
by: Leslie 02/23/2021
Excellent product, works well, easy install and hookup.
Comments
Great product easy install, no sway on trailer.
Leslie - 02/24/202225
388
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See what our Experts say about this Reese Accessories and Parts
- Can the Reese Friction Sway Control Kit Be Installed on Either Side of a TrailerActually the Reese Friction Sway Control part # 83660 can be installed on either side of a trailer. To install the Economy Reese Friction Sway Control Kit, item # 83660, on the right side, you will need to hook up the vehicle and trailer and pull forward so they are in a straight line with each other. You then mount the sway control ball on the weight distribution head. Next mark a point 24 inches from the center of the hitch ball and mount the ball plate on center with this mark. To...
view full answer... - Recommended Sway Control for 1800 lbs 13 Foot Scamp Travel TrailerSway control is designed to be used in situations where the trailer sways under adverse conditions such as high winds or when large vehicles are passing causing the trailer to become unstable. Sway control also helps if you have to maneuver suddenly. Also if the trailer has a low tongue weight percentage the sway control can help to a point, but a weight distribution system will help more with this situation. The best solution for sway that is present without the above mentioned adverse...
view full answer... - Why Does My Trailer Sway When Towed with One Vehicle But Not with Other VehicleMost likely the reason your trailer is swaying when being towed by your 2005 Kia Sorento is because the trailer is not sitting level while being towed with this vehicle. You will want to pick a ball mount with the correct amount of rise/drop so that your trailer sits as level as possible. Typically a hitch ball mounted in a bumper will sit higher than a ball mount in a frame mounted hitch. For more info on that check out the help article I attached.
view full answer... - Recommended Sway Control with 1400 lbs Popup Camper Towed by JeepSway control is designed to be used in situations where the trailer sways under adverse conditions such as high winds or when large vehicles are passing causing the trailer to become unstable. Also if the trailer has a low tongue weight percentage, like your camper has, sway control can help. One solution for sway is proper trailer loading. Your trailer's tongue weight should be 10 to 15 percent of the gross trailer weight, loaded and ready to travel. Sway control provides a level of safety...
view full answer... - Reese 83660 Friction Sway Control Unit is Making Groaning NoiseThe groaning or creaking noise you hear is completely normal, its the sound of the friction material rubbing against the metal of the arm that attaches to the weight distribution head or ball mount. It's acceptable to lightly lubricate the balls that either end of the friction sway control unit rides on, but you should NOT lubricate the actuating arm of the sway control unit, as it will negate the sway control function. I've confirmed this with Reese, the manufacturer of the Reese # 83660...
view full answer... - Adjusting Weight Distribution System Used on 2014 Yukon with Auto-Leveling SuspensionAccording to our contact at Draw-Tite the best way to use a weight distribution system with an automatic leveling system is to first start your Yukon and put a slight load on the rear of the truck to let the air suspension begin to level the vehicle. Then you will want to measure the distance from the ground to the top of the front wheel wells. Next you will want to hitch up your trailer and set up your weight distribution system per the instructions. Finally, you will want measure...
view full answer... - How Tight Should a Friction Sway Control Unit be TightenedThe adjustment of any friction sway control system like # 83660 is relatively simple. Basically, you will drive with the trailer loaded to determine if more or less tension is needed. Then you will either make it tighter or looser my turning the handle in 1/4 turn increments. Then do another test. Keep doing this until you reach the desired result. I attached an install video for a friction sway control unit for you to check out as well.
view full answer... - When Would the Reese Friction Sway Control Kit # 83660 Need to Be DisconnectedThe only time you would really need to disconnect the Reese Friction Sway Control Kit # 83660 would be when you are backing the trailer up and the trailer will end up jack-knifed pretty tightly. If you were backing up basically totally straight you could leave it connected.
view full answer... - Friction Sway Control Recommendation for a Camper TrailerIf you are looking for a friction sway control system I would recommend the Reese Friction Sway Control Kit # 83660 that you referenced as it works just as good as the more expensive units we sell yet costs less. You should know that the best way to fight trailer sway is proper trailer loading. If you can get your tongue weight to be 10-15% of the total trailer weight of and have your trailer towed as level as possible that would be the best way to prevent trailer sway. I attached a couple...
view full answer... - Friction Sway Control Recommendation for Use with Reese Weight Distribution SystemIf you are looking for a friction sway control system to go with your Reese weight distribution system you can use any of them. The Reese part # 83660 that you referenced would be a great choice as it's just as good as the other brands but doesn't cost quite as much. I attached an install video for you to check out as well.
view full answer... - Can Friction Sway Control Be Used on Both Sides of a TrailerYes, all of the friction sway control units we carry can be fitted to either the left or right hand side of a trailer. The # 83660 that you referenced is setup out of the box ready for the passenger side of a trailer. All you would need to do is pull out the inner portion and flip it 180 degrees and reinsert it so that you could use on the driver side of the trailer.
view full answer... - Why Doesnt Reese Friction Sway Control Kit # 83660 Allow Backing UpWhen using friction-style sway control like the Reese, # 83660, it is recommended that you remove the sway control before backing up to ease reversing and prevent damage to your system. As stated in the instructions, on some installations, damage to the sway control may occur during extremely sharp turning maneuvers. This can be checked by slowly backing vehicle into a jackknife position while someone is watching. Do not allow slide bar to contract completely (bottom out) or bumper to...
view full answer... - How to Increase Tension on Friction Sway Control BarTo increase the tension on your Friction Sway Control Bar, such as this Reese Reese Friction Sway Control Bar # 83660, you will want to adjust in small increments to "stiffen" the coupling and to find the right setting for you. I have linked the instructions for the Reese Friction Sway Control for you.
view full answer... - How Many Friction Sway Control Bars are Needed for an 8,750 Pound Trailer and 2014 Ford F-150One friction-style sway control unit, such as # 83660, can be used for trailers weighing up to 6,000 pounds. But since your trailer weighs 8,750 pounds you will need two sway-control units, one on each side of the trailer. You will also want to use two units if your trailer is 26 feet or longer. Since you have the Pro Series weight distribution system, you will not need to add anything else other than # 83660 since the Pro Series head unit comes with holes to mount 2 friction sway control...
view full answer... - When Should A Trailer Use 2 Friction Sway Control UnitsDue to the length of your trailer I would recommend 2 sway control units like the part # 83660. Typically we recommend two sway control units when the trailer is over 26 feet long. I would like to point out that your best defense against sway is proper trailer loading. Sway is usually caused by not having enough tongue weight.
view full answer... - Best Ways to Prevent Trailer SwayThe best way to fight trailer sway is to have the trailer loaded properly by having 10-15 percent of the total trailer weight as tongue weight and by having the trailer sit as level as possible. I attached a help article that details how to determine the correct rise/drop ball mount you would need. If you can move cargo (or motorcycles), forward in the trailer that should help with sway. For a sway control system that will help prevent sway due to wind or large vehicles passing the part...
view full answer... - Should a Friction Sway Control Bar Be Installed on the Right or the Left Side of a TrailerYou can use a friction sway control bar such as # 83660 on the left or the right side of the trailer. It doesn't matter. As they come they are set up for the right side of the trailer. But they can be used on either side. For this style of sway control a single bar can be used for trailers up to 6,000 pounds. If the trailer weighs over 6,000 pounds or if it is more than 25 feet long you would need to use 2.
view full answer... - Coleman Pop-Up Camper Pre-Drilled for Sway Control?I do not have any specific information about Coleman pre-drilling their frames, but from the general location of the holes shown in your photo and the way the holes are configured, I would be willing to bet those holes are for a friction sway control system. Compare the hole spacing on your frame to that shown in the photo and diagram I provided. If the spacing matches up, then the holes are indeed meant to install a friction sway control unit.
view full answer...
- Can Dual-Cam Sway Control and a Friction Sway Control Bar be Used at the Same Time on a TrailerYou will not get any additional benefit from using a friction sway bar with a dual-cam sway control system. And it is not likely that you could install both any way. Dual-cam sway control is an active system stopping sway before it starts and forcing the trailer to ride straight behind the vehicle. A friction sway bar is an independent reactive system that will work to stop sway after it has already started so the two systems are fundamentally different. The added tension from a sway...
view full answer... - Should 2 Friction Sway Bars Be Used with Pro Series Weight Distribution on a 7K TrailerWith the trailer at 7,000 pounds and roughly 25 feet long I do strongly recommend using sway control. You can use 2 of the Reese bars, # 83660. Two are recommended for trailers over 6,000 pounds. Presumably the truck and trailer will be level if you have the weight distribution system installed and set up properly and have the correct rise or drop shank needed to tow the trailer level. As far as turns go you can make the normal turns you would make any other time while driving forward....
view full answer... - Recommendations to Stop Sway on a 14 ft Shrimp TrailerThe best way to fight trailer sway is properly loading the trailer. Moving as much weight in the trailer as far forward as you can will help. If you trailer is not being towed level that could be causing some of your sway. Picking out the correct rise/drop ball mount would fix this. Check out the FAQ I attached on picking out the correct ball mount for more info. If the sway you are experiencing is only at highway speeds when it is really windy or when a semi-truck passes you the Reese...
view full answer... - Can a 2003 BMW X5 Tow a 1987 Aljo TrailerAljo as the manufacturer makes several different models of travel trailer and 5th wheel trailers. I would need to know which model you are looking at to determine what its gross trailer weight is. I normally use NADA RV guides to find measurements and capacities but for Aljo they have no listing for 1985 through 1992. I looked up some specs on your 2003 BMW X5. If it has the 3.0 liter motor the capacity is up to 5,000 pounds. Either of the two larger engine options push the capacity up...
view full answer... - Friction Sway Control Installation Recommendation on a 2007 Starcraft 2406 Pop UpIs there anything on the other side of the trailer frame? If not, you could just run the Reese Sway Control part # 83660 on the other side of the trailer and you would be good to go. You would just need to loosen the sway control unit enough that you could slide the inner piece out and then flip it 180 degrees and reinsert it and it would be ready to use on the other side of your trailer. I attached an install video for this product for you to check out also.
view full answer...
- Procedure for Adjusting Friction Sway Control UnitTrailer configurations and loading, road and weather conditions, towing speed, tire condition and pressure, and center of gravity of trailer all affect towing and the degree of sway experienced. To get maximum benefits from the sway control, a series of road tests should be taken with the loaded trailer. On subsequent trips increase or decrease tension by turning the adjusting bolt in 1/4 turn increments in the direction shown on the label. It's very important that the tension be removed...
view full answer...
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