Recommended Sway Control for 1800 lbs 13 Foot Scamp Travel Trailer
Updated 03/19/2015 | Published 03/18/2015
Question:
Question - Trailer sway controller? I have a 2008 Mercury Grand Marque and I will be pulling a 1,600 lb. 13foot Scamp trailer that will have an adult tricycle mounted on a cargo carrier behind the trailer 178 lb. total weight. If I determine that I need a sway controller, which one of your sway controllers would you recommend. Best
asked by: Harold W
Expert Reply:
Sway 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 conditions 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 for situations that can cause the trailer to become unstable. We have a question page (see link) that goes more in depth about sway control and weight distribution.
Sway control is not absolutely necessary for towing but is a factor that needs to be addressed if the trailer is unstable behind the vehicle. When first towing your trailer you should get up to speed slowly while monitoring the trailer because sway can show up dramatically as speed increases, especially if the trailer is improperly loaded.
The Friction sway control, like the Reese Friction Sway Control Kit, item # 83660, which you referenced, will help stop sway once it has started and is a good item to have installed for the conditions stated above, especially on smaller trailers such as the one you have.
Active sway control is more consistent than the friction type and is built into a weight distribution system for the best towing performance and safety.
Featured Help Information
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Search Results: reese friction sway control
- Search Results: coupler lock
- Shop: Trailer Hitch
- Shop: Master Lock Trailer Hitch Receiver Lock and Coupler Lock Set - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches
- Shop: Curt RockerBall 2-5/16" Shock Absorbing Hitch Ball and Ball Mount w/ Sway Control Tab - 7.5K
- Shop: Curt Ball Mount w/ Sway Control Tab for 2" Hitches - 3/4" Rise, 2" Drop - 7,500 lbs
- Shop: Shocker Sway Control Friction Arm Bar Kit For Trailers Over 10,000 lbs - 2 Arm Kit
- Shop: Brake Controller
- Q&A: Amperage of Brake Magnets and Size of Wire Used To Connect 7-Way Trailer Plug To Electric Brakes
- Shop: Redarc Tow-Pro Liberty Brake Controller w/ Universal Wiring Harness - Dash Knob - Proportional
- Shop: Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller - 7-Way RV and 4-Way Flat - 10 Gauge Wires
- Shop: 12 Gauge 2 Conductor Jacketed (Brake) Wire Per Foot
- Search Results: timbren ses
- Shop: Suspension Enhancement
- Q&A: How to Determine if a Torsion Axle Needs to be Replaced and Lifting a Trailer Off the Ground
- Video: Complete Breakdown of the Dexter Trailer Hub and Drum for 3,500-lb Axles
- Search Results: trailer brakes
- Search Results: trailer jack
- Article: Brake Controller 7- and 4-Way Installation Kit (ETBC7)
- Q&A: What is the Difference Between a Class II and a Class III Hitch?
- Search Results: trailer hitch
- Video: How to Choose a Trailer Brake Controller
- Q&A: What is the Difference Between a 4-Way and 7-Way Trailer Connector
- Search Results: trailer wiring
- Article: Trailer Wiring Diagrams
- Q&A: Lug Nut Torque Chart for Trailer Wheels
- Video: Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness Review C56040
- Article: How to Measure for Trailer Hitch Drop
- Q&A: Installation Time for Blue Ox BX1128 Flat Tow Base Plate Kit for 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee
- Video: Clean Up Your Trailer Wiring
on Weight Distribution Hitch
