Experiencing Sway While Using a Sway Control System

Updated 04/26/2017 | Published 04/25/2017

Products Featured in This Question

Fastway e2 Weight Distribution w/ Sway Control - Trunnion - 12,000 lbs GTW, 1,200 lbs TW

(121)

$514.95

2-5/16" Hitch Ball - 1-1/4" Diameter x 2-3/4" Long Shank - Chrome - 12,000 lbs

(2639)

$19.54

2" Hitch Ball - 1-1/4" Diameter x 2-5/8" Long Shank - Chrome - 10,000

(3998)

$17.94

2-5/16" Hitch Ball - 1-1/4" Diameter x 2-5/8" Long Shank - Chrome - 15,000 lbs

(3999)

$25.88

Question:

We are on our first trip with our new 2016 Coachmen Adrenaline 25QB toy hauler. We have the e2 weight distribution/2 pt sway control system. We are pulling with Ford F150 with V6 eco boost. We loaded a 500 pound motorcycle toward front and 300 pound scooter toward back. We experienced terrible sway. Could only go between 50 and 53 mph. Ultimately only got 130 miles and stopped at KOA. It was very scary. Stopped at scale and vehicle is 6400 pounds and trailer was 8200 pounds. Did not get tongue weight but were assuming tongue weight is too light. Coachmen said they had one issue where trailer, due to design error, had low tongue weight and they sent someone to trailer to weld weight onto tongue. We are taking it to RV dealership in Pontiac, IL tomorrow morning so a tech can drive it and see whats going on. Any suggestions? If no fix tomorrow, were heading home and taking it back to dealer.

asked by: Lisa C

Expert Reply:

Aside from a possible manufacturing defect, which you referred to, the first thing that I thought of is making sure that you have a Weight Distribution (WD) system that has the appropriate weight capacity for your application. When hauling any size trailer you will want to shoot for a Tongue Weight (TW) that ranges from 10-15 percent of the Gross Trailer Weight (GTW). If you loaded your trailer correctly, then the TW of your trailer should range from 820 lbs-1,230 lbs. You can find out your exact TW by using a Tongue Weight Scale # e99044.

The thing about WD systems is that you will want to pick one that can handle your Total Tongue Weight (TTW). This is calculated by adding the TW of your loaded and ready-to-go trailer, plus the weight of any cargo that is behind the rear axle of your F150. If your TW is on the heavy side and hits that 15 percent weight of 1,230 lbs then even the highest weight capacity Fastway e2 # FA92-00-1200 is only 1,200 lbs. This means that the WD system would not be able to handle the weight of your TTW.

What I recommend doing is figuring out what your TTW is and then making sure that your WD system has a weight range that your TTW falls in the middle of. This will give you the most ideal setup.

The Fastway e2 WD systems are good, but are more entry-level WD systems. I recommend going with one of the Strait-Line systems from Reese. As long as your TTW falls between the weight range of 600 lbs-1,200 lbs, you will want to use part # RP66084 with either a 2 inch hitch ball # A-90, or a 2-5/16 inch hitch ball # 19286 depending on your application. This system will install on your trailer frame about 30 inches from the hitch ball.

Anything over that will require the use of a heavy duty WD system like the Reese # RP66130 with a shank # RP54970 and hitch ball # C40030.