How to Eliminate Trailer Sway that Occurs at 55 to 65 MPH Even With Sway Control

Question

Question:

i have this product on my truck & i still have very bad sway @ 55 - 65 mph. what is WRONG.

asked by: john

0

Expert Reply:

Sway controls are designed to be used in situations where sway is a direct result of some type of road condition, like high winds or large vehicles passing.

If you have sway with a trailer under normal towing conditions, sway control will most likely not correct the problem. The best defense against trailer sway in all conditions is proper trailer loading. You will need to check your trailer tongue weight and gross trailer weight and get the weight distributed properly. Most times sway is induced by too little tongue weight on the trailer ball. Your trailers tongue weight should be 10 to 15 percent of the total trailer weight, loaded and ready to tow. Most of the time redistributing weight in the trailer will solve sway issues especially if a weight distribution system with sway control is used.

You should also evaluate your weight distribution head and spring bar setting. If you do not have enough spring bar tension then sway will not be reduced efficiently. By changing the angle of the ball mount (see instructions) you can change the amount of pressure applied to the spring bars and the amount of weight distributed to the vehicle and trailer axles.

expert reply by: Robert G

0

Scott O.

4/26/2020

I have a 29 toyhauler when towing with out any thing in the garage it pulls like a dream i put my 1000 pound Yamaha rhino in it it all over sway its dangerous any help please

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Chris R.

4/28/2020

It's a little odd that sway only occurs with the toy hauler loaded, as weight usually reduces this movement a bit. Do you currently have any kind of sway control or weight distribution system installed? If not, please let me know the loaded weight of the trailer and would be happy to make a specific recommendation. Adding something like this is absolutely the best way to drastically reduce that dangerous sway.

Helpful Links

faq-weightdistribution.aspx

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Tom J.

4/28/2020

When towing my boat trailer carrying a 27 ft regal , towing with a ford F-150, the dual axle trailer starts to swing violently at 60mph. The tongue weight seems substantial and the boat is as far forward as will allow on trailer. Is it possible there is too much tongue weight and the boat needs to be shifted to the rear a bit?

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Chris R.

4/29/2020

It's possible to have too much tongue weight, but it's extremely unlikely on a boat trailer and wouldn't really contribute to the kind of sway you described. The best solution I can offer is a weight distribution system with integrated sway control. If your boat trailer features a straight pole tongue, you can add an adapter like the Reese # RP58393. Let me know the loaded weight of the trailer and I will be happy to recommend a specific system.

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Jj

9/7/2024

How can I get our cotton trailers to travel at hwy speed down the highway without swaying?

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Kyle S.

9/9/2024

@Jj There's a number of things you can try, from a weight distribution hitch, electronic sway control like # 335TSC-1000 if you have electric brakes, or something simple like the Reese Friction Sway Control Kit # 83660.

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Scott O.

4/28/2020

Yes sway and weight distribution

Reply

Chris R.

4/29/2020

If you have a weight distribution system in place it may just need to be adjusted. Can you tell me what model system you have? Also, is there any way to shift the Yamaha at all inside the car hauler, preferably up closer to the front of the trailer? Doing this could go a long way in reducing that sway too.

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Scott O.

4/29/2020

@ChrisR Easy lift 14000 .i have it as far forward in the camper toyhauler

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Chris R.

5/1/2020

Thanks for the info! I think the head of your Eaz Lift system just needs to be adjusted to put a bit more tension on the spring bars. Try loosening the bolts that hold the head to the shank turn the adjustment screw in the desired direction - tilting the ball towards the tow vehicle will put more pressure on the bars. Doing this should improve your sway control quite a bit but please let me know if you still have issues.

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See All (6) Replies to Scott O. ∨

Randy S.

7/21/2020

I have a 2003 Chevy 2500HD pulling a flagstaff 29rkws camper. when I get to about 60 mph the truck starts to sway. I am putting on new Rancho shocks to help with porpoising that it does. I have weight distribution bars. What can i do or purchase to help with my situation ?

Reply

Chris R.

7/27/2020

Does your weight distribution system include sway control? If not, can you tell me what specific model you have installed? Otherwise something simple (maybe) that you can do to try and reduce sway is to shift cargo around on the trailer. Adding more weight to the front/tongue of the camper will help.

Reply

Chris R.

7/27/2020

Does your weight distribution system include sway control? If not, can you tell me what specific model you have installed? Otherwise something simple (maybe) that you can do to try and reduce sway is to shift cargo around on the trailer. Adding more weight to the front/tongue of the camper will help.

Reply

Arnold

8/10/2020

I have same problem as another I seen on here. A sway problem my RV is 27ft long I use reese chain bar system with sway control my camper is 5900lbs. My y Tounge weight is 880lbs. What heck can I do get rid of sway ?? o tires r prop inflated ailso it happens out blue big rig can go by me nothing g and compact car it can sway it it just simply happens out of nowhere thx for any help!!!!

Reply

Jon G.

8/21/2020

What kind of sway control are you using? If it's a friction sway control like the Reese # 83660 then you're going to want to install a second one since your trailer is over 26' long. Another thing to check is that your trailer is loaded properly. If 5,900 lbs is your camper fully loaded then having a tongue weight of 880 lbs puts you inside the desired 10-15% tongue weight range but you are really pushing that max. I'd try moving some cargo a little further back to shoot for a tongue weight closer to about 13% which would be 767 lbs for your trailer weight of 5,900 lbs.

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Answer 1

Hey Brandon! Yes, either M-3 transition plate (steel #M368FR or aluminum #M348FR) will do the job, but I’d go aluminum #M348FR since it’s easier to trim and won’t rust if water gets in that recessed area. Just mount it across the lower edge of the…

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Answer 2

Hey Jack, If you're talking about a transition plate then you'll want the etrailer Enclosed Trailer Transition Plate #e32JR. This can be installed on either end of the ramp to help make the transition onto easier or at the hinge of the ramp…

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Answer 3

Hello Robert, Yes, the only difference between the 2 is that the etrailer Enclosed Trailer Transition Plate #e32JR is quantity: 1, and the #e99RV is quantity: 2. Right now it looks like if you wanted a better deal to buy 2 of the #e32JR. It is times…

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Answer 4

I would use a protractor, see photo, place the protractor on the edge of the inside of one side of the trailer frame and the other inside edge of the trailer frame should be parallel with the 50 degree line on the protractor. Another way to verify…

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Answer 5

We do have 7-way wiring harnesses intended for use in the bed of a pickup for either a slide-in camper or a 5th wheel trailer. Harness #C56000 that you referenced is a suitable option. This kit plugs right in at your bumper-mounted factory 7-way…

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Answer 6

If you're experiencing sway control issues, adding a friction sway control bar could be just what you need to get things under control. I recommend the Curt Friction Sway Control part #17200. In order to install the Curt Friction Sway Control…

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Answer 7

To add a second friction sway control, you will need the second Reese Friction Sway Control Kit #83660 and you'll need to weld a tab onto your trailer hitch ball platform like #C45822. The friction bar will simply be inverted on the left side,…

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Answer 8

Hello Yahairaa, thanks for reaching out. Sorry to hear about your situation, and I am happy to help get you on your way up North. I went to Alaska back in 2011 and it was amazing. There are some upgrades to consider for your 2017 Ford Edge EcoBoost…

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Answer 9

If you can move the cargo in your trailer as far forward as possible that will be your best way to fight trailer sway. Not enough tongue weight relative to the weight of the trailer is the number one cause of persistent sway around 55 to 65 mph like…

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Answer 10

We don't offer a product like the EAZ Lift sway control adapter you mentioned, but if you don't care for the idea of attaching the ball to the trailer frame using screws, you could certainly have the ball/plate included with the #83660 kit…

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Answer 11

All of the friction sway control units like the Curt #17200 that you referenced require drilling into the trailer frame. We do have electric sway control units like the Tuson part #335TSC-1000 which uses sensors to detect trailer sway and apply the…

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Answer 12

Weight distribution systems that have 2-point sway control generally have sway control just at the ends of the springs bars on the trailer side. On the Fastway systems for example the L bracket that secures the bar to the frame bracket can be…

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How to Eliminate Trailer Sway that Occurs at 55 to 65 MPH Even With Sway Control

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