How to Improve Sway Control with Blue Ox SwayPro WD System Installed on Trailer with Ford Expedition

Published 02/06/2020

Question:

I have a travel trailer and recently installed a blue ox sway pro. noting some sway, and the bottom of the u bolt is hitting when I go over a small curb. I have a ford 2017 expedition and my trailer max weight is 7000 lbs. So my first pull on the highway, noted sway and the bottom of the ubolt seems too low and is hitting low curbs. Any thoughts? I had an rv dealer install the hitch and it looked level with my expedition, but the sway bars look like they are too low. Thanks

asked by: Nick

Expert Reply:

If your Expedition and trailer both sit level with the Blue Ox SwayPro Weight Distribution System # BXW1000 installed, you shouldn't need to adjust anything on the chains or head to further limit sway, as the sway control is essentially built into its setup. I checked with Blue Ox and they state if you are still getting a lot of sway during travel it's likely that some cargo just needs to be re-distributed inside the trailer.

It's important to note that the trailer's tongue weight should be somewhere between 10 and 15 percent of its total weight. If it's more than this, or especially if it's less, it's going to contribute to a lot of preventable sway on the road. Try adding some more tongue weight to the front of the trailer to see if this helps.

Also, if your Expedition is equipped with the factory sway control feature, it should be disabled with the Blue Ox system installed. This feature on the tow vehicle can actually work against the Blue Ox sway control, so for ideal performance it's best to actually shut it off while towing.

Now with regards to the ground clearance issues you're having, unfortunately there's not a whole lot you can do. You could potentially adjust the chains on the system to raise the spring bars up a bit, but considering everything is level as-is, this might negatively affect its weight distribution benefits. This type of issue is one of the potential drawbacks to chain-style WD systems like this on vehicles or trailers that sit lower to the ground.

expert reply by: Chris R