Electronic vs. Mechanical Sway Control and How to Select One to Match Trailer

Updated 08/22/2025 | Published 04/11/2018

Products Featured in This Question

Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System w/ 4-Point Sway Control - 10,000 lbs GTW, 1,000 lbs TW

(840)

$694.42

Reese Friction Sway Control Kit - Economy - by Draw-Tite, Reese and Hidden Hitch

(486)

$74.50

Question:

Hi, I have a 2017 Grand Cherokee with trailer sway control TSC and an aftermarket brake controller. I also have a WDS hitch with a sway bar. Can I also install an electronic sway controller on the trailer and will it provide any additional benefit?

asked by: John

Expert Reply:

You ask an interesting question.

If your 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee has the factory-installed trailer sway control (TSC) system already and you are also using a mechanical weight distribution/sway control hitch system I do not recommend adding a third system. These items can tend to fight each other and could even make handling worse when used together.

The electronic systems like your factory TSC and the aftermarket systems operate differently than the mechanical weight distribution/sway control (WD/SC) hitches like # EQ37100ET.

Electronic sway control works by selectively applying either left and right vehicle brakes once trailer sway is detected. While they might help reduce trailer sway once it has started, they do nothing to prevent sway or to address the loss of front-axle traction that is caused by the trailer's tongue weight (TW) pushing down on the hitch and the vehicle's rear end. That rear TW tends to lift the front axle which reduces the front tires' traction. This negatively affect both steering and braking performance.

No electronic sway system can fix this fundamental issue but a properly-rated and correctly-installed weight distribution/sway control hitch can, and at the same time one can also address the matter of trailer sway, but through mechanical means, and without prematurely wearing out your Jeep's brakes.

If a WD/SC hitch is rated and installed properly there should be little to no need for any type of electronic device. Systems that use a simple friction style sway bar like # 83660 simply cannot deliver the same results as one that integrates the sway control, such as the system referenced. You can add a second friction unit but this is kind of like painting over a bad paint job.

The key to selecting the correct WD/SC hitch is knowing the actual tongue weight of the fully-loaded trailer with all your gear and supplies loaded, as well as the weight of any cargo in the vehicle that sits behind the rear axle, such as a generator. Dry hitch weight from the trailer specs is not enough.

Use of a scale like the etrailer # e99044 is by far the easiest way to know your actual TW and to this you will add the weight of any behind-the-axle cargo in the vehicle. That total TW figure allows you to choose the right system for your specific loaded trailer. Ideally your total TW will fall in the middle of the system's operating range. The Equal-I-zer system # EQ37100ET works over a TW range of 600- to 1000-lbs so it would be ideal for total TW of 800-lbs.

Please feel free to tell me about your total TW and I will be glad to offer a recommendation. In the meantime the linked video and article on WD may be of interest.

expert reply by: Adam R

Debra

4/22/2024

Hello Adam! I have a tow vehicle that can tow up to 5000 pounds. I tow a camper that is 2731 lbs, and I use a wireless brake controller….do I need anti-sway bars? Or a weight distribution hitch? Thank you!

Jameson C.

5/15/2024

@Debra It would be a good idea but you are right at the point where you could get away without it and be fine.

Debra

5/16/2024

@JamesonC Thank you!

Jameson C.

5/16/2024

@Debra No prob!

Larry C.

8/22/2025

Hi Adam, I have experienced a 2010 Ford F150 TSC in operation when it corrected a sway. It was completely automatic and it detected the sway before I did. It was very smooth and controlled. The problem presented when I bought a larger and longer travel trailer and a Blue Ox WDS with sway control. At the time I hadn’t heard about a compatibility problem. It didn’t take long to experience my first white knuckle event due to sway. After asking Blue Ox about possible cause, they quickly stated that I should not use both anti sway systems together as they are “fighting” each other. I disabled the truck’s TSC via the menu system on the truck’s display. The problem improved but didn’t go away. I am considering changing hitches to a WDS without sway control and using the TSC exclusively. It is either that or ditch the travel trailer. I love the truck and ditching it isn’t an option. I hope this helps others Larry