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

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 2

If you go to the linked product description page for most of the products we offer, and scroll down the page, you'll see a link to the installation instructions (if the manufacturer makes them available). On the product page for the Curt #C60720…

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Answer 3

For your 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee I recommend the Tekonsha T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness part #118727. It's custom made for your Jeep and it gives you a 4 way flat trailer connector so you have all the lights to tow a trailer safely and legally.…

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Answer 4

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 5

The closest 12v option we have to your Dometic RM1350SLMX RV refrigerator (29.5" D x 64.26" T x 33.68" W) is the Everchill RV Refrigerator w/ Freezer Drawer #WAY44FR. This fridge is 28-1/4" W x 30" D x 70-1/4" T. As far…

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Answer 6

The key factor for selection of a suitable weight distribution system is the total effective tongue weight. This figure includes the fully loaded trailer's measured tongue weight (loaded with all gear and supplies exactly as it will be when you…

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Answer 7

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 8

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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Answer 9

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 10

Hey Dave, thanks for reaching out! It looks like our 24-5/8" Long 3-Leaf Slipper Spring #e99SR is going to be the best replacement for your setup. This comes with a nylon bushing (which is standard) in that eyelet, so you actually won't need…

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Answer 11

Yes the Bearing Buddy part #BB1980A-SS is correct for the Dexter hub you have #8-247-50UC3 and then for the bearing kit part #BK2-100 is also correct! You made my job easy.

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Answer 12

If your trailer is a bumper pull and not a 5th wheel or gooseneck trailer then the best way to combat trailer sway and rear end sag is to use a weight distribution system. Timbren springs on your 2013 Ford F-250 will help reduce the sag and will help…

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

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