Do I Need Weight Distribution or Sway Control To Haul a Camper

Updated 06/26/2020 | Published 06/24/2020

Question:

I have a 2012 Chevy Silverado 2500HD diesel with Air Lift LoadLifter 7500XL Air Suspension System and normally tow my fifth wheel with an Andersen Gooseneck Hitch. need to move my sisters trailer Jayco Jayflight 2005 28FKS. I see the trailer has a GWVR of 8500 and my diesel has a maximum trailer weight rating of 13,000. My truck has the factory class v receiver. So here’s the question I have to move my sisters trailer only once 1400 miles. It’s coming from a local dealer, no current weight distribution hitch. Do I really need a weight distribution hitch given that it’s way under my vehicles weight rating, I have my air suspension, and it’s only one move? Do I need sway control? Can I just purchase a hitch mount and ball?

asked by: Joseph M

Expert Reply:

The Jayco Jayflight 2005 28FKS has a dry tongue weight of 1135 lbs. That is a lot for a 3/4 ton truck and will have you close to the payload. With the air bags you will be able to get rid of the sag in the suspension but I would certainly want sway control. That is a big sail that cross winds or passing semis could cause a sway event to occur and give you issues. The thing with sway is you do not know when it will occur and it can be very severe.

At a minimum I would run sway control just to be safe. The Curt Electronic Sway Control System part # C94VV is a great system for this issue. This will allow the trailer to use its brakes to eliminate the sway. This can also be used on any other bumper pull you might want to haul in the future.

This allows you to be safe and not have to worry about sway events should they occur.

expert reply by: Randy B