Trailer Sway

[Donedroolin]

So I wanna get a good sway control for my camper. Just towing it this past weekend to the body shop 1 1/2hour from my house in the worst wind I have ever towed in, OMG. Wind was horrific. Now I know the Hensley Arrow is the KING, top of the line. But so is the price. So Im wondering what you are using and would you recommend it. I looked on Amazon prime and they have Equalizer sway control that seem to get good reviews. Anyone using this product. Please chime in I really wanna buy something this weekend. Tell me what you use and how you like it. Thank You.

[oldmanAZ]

Originally Posted by Donedroolin

snip... So Im wondering what you are using and would you recommend it. I looked on Amazon prime and they have Equalizer sway control that seem to get good reviews. Anyone using this product. Please chime in I really wanna buy something this weekend. Tell me what you use and how you like it. Thank You.

I've had my Equal-i-zer brand hitch (1lk/10k & 4-point sway) for ~10yr. I'ts the only WD hitch I've owned and, YES, I recommend it.

[Crabman]

I have been using the old style Reese Dual cam since 2008 on 3 trailers and have never encountered what I consider a sway event (when the tail wags the dog). They don`t make that one anymore but I`m sure the next gen dual cam is good too.

[Camper_bob]

I have the Blue Ox Sway Pro and LOVE it, would (and have many times) recommend it to anyone.

So, there you have it! IMO, you have one recommendation from each of the top 3 hitches (that are not Hensley or Pro Pride)!

And really, any one of them will do the job well. Each has some different quirks that make them different, but bottom line is they all get the job done well.

I chose the Blue Ox because it's WAY easy to set up. My close second choice was the Equal-i-zer because it has a VERY long and proven track record. I shied away from the Reese Dual Cam rigs because from what I understand, they can be tough to get "dialed in", but once you get them set up right, they are great hitches.

ETA: I grappled with the decision between Equal-i-zer and Blue Ox for weeks or even months before I finally pulled the trigger.

[Hohenwald48]

A couple of these do just fine for me. A lot less expensive than a new hitch.

https://www.amazon.com/CURT-17200-Sw...s=sway+control

[Desert RVers]

We have an Equalizer brand 4-point hitch. It's easy to use and works great!

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by Donedroolin

So I wanna get a good sway control for my camper. Just towing it this past weekend to the body shop 1 1/2hour from my house in the worst wind I have ever towed in, OMG. Wind was horrific.....snip

Just a couple questions:

What Brand/Rating WDH do you presently have? Are you still towing the 2013 "Eagle 314BDS (ordered)" in your signature ....., and have you ever weighed your TV/TT combination?

Thanks in advance.

Bob

[Donedroolin]

Thanks for the recommendations so far. Yes I still have the Eagle..lol made that signature when we ordered it from dealership. I am using standard draw tight weight distribution. No I have not weighed my setup. Truck is rated to tow 12500 off draw bar with heavy duty tow package and rear suspension. Think I need to weigh it. We don't load the camper allot usually buy supplies when get to location. Camper loaded should be under 10000.

[Quick Step]

Donedroolin you might try E-trailer this company has very good information regarding weight distribution hitches and free shipping over $99 plus register on the site and they offer hidden discounts on some of the hitches they sell and also have videos that describe the product you're interested in. They also price match

[Rustic Eagle]

Donedroolin,

Thanks for your follow-up.

Originally Posted by Donedroolin

snip..... I am using standard draw tight weight distribution. No I have not weighed my setup.....snip

There are a number of issues that could be contributing to your sway concerns on a heavy/long TT like the Eagle 314BDS, but the two that I see often are underrated WDH's, and/or a WDH's not adjusted properly (not enough weight on tongue, proper weight not returned to TV front axle, etc.).

That's why I was curious about the weight "Rating" of your present WDH. A 315BDS has a 9,975lb GVWR and as I recall the "as-shipped" UVW came in easily around 8,000lbs for the 33ft long 'plus' Eagle's back in 2013.

..... So a 9,000lb loaded weight is very realistic even under moderate loading, thus a 1,170lb to 1,350lb (13% to 15%) tongue weight would be desirable. Thus one would want at least a 1,400lb rated WDH with integrated sway control (Reese Strait Line, Equal-i-zer, etc.) for the 315BDS.

A trip to a CAT scale will provide you with a wealth of info (confirm WDH adjustment, tongue weight, proper weight transfer, etc.) and possibly the root cause of your sway event.

CAT scale 'how to': http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f3...v-tt-3871.html

It should be noted that even with a perfectly matched TV/TT combination and properly related components/adjustments, high winds can prove to be a towing challenge.

Are you using any type of sway control with your present WDH?

Bob

[herewego]

Blue OX Works great !!!

[TWP723]

You can add me to the Equal-I-Zer fan club. Although I've never had any other brand, I really like the way it handles my trailer.

[andrewat]

We use an equalizer and love it. But there was a previous post about making sure you have the RIGHT version of the hitch. Your dealer might sell you a 1000# tongue weight hitch or even a 1200# version. But you likely need something more than that like the 1400# version. That's a heavy travel trailer and you have enough truck to pull it. You just need the right hitch for the setup.

equalizer is very easy to set up and dial in IMO and it does a very good job of controlling the trailer. We pull a 27BHS with our F350, so we have a lot of truck with a much smaller camper. But we just pulled it 1000 miles round trip to disney and back and I never really felt the trailer move at all. Part of that is because I decided to overwhelm the camper with the truck and part of it is because we have the right version of our hitch. Loaded up, our camper is just under 1000# on the tongue, so I called equalizer and talked them through the setup and we agreed that I'd be best with the 1200# version for our setup.

There's likely not a dealer in the world that would recommend that. I was originally setup with a 1000# hitch from another manufacturer and I didn't like the feel while pulling at all.

All that to say, don't just get a good hitch....get the right version of a good hitch.

[andrewat]

Also....just because of how travel trailers are hitched to a tow vehicle, they will always feel a little movement when you are pulling on a day with high winds. There is not a hitch on the planet that will keep you from feeling a little uneasy when you're pulling a giant sail through a 25mph cross wind.

I'm not super experienced. But I try very hard to make sure I'm only travelling during times when there aren't high winds predicted. I've got my wife and three kids in there with me. It's not worth taking dumb risks to me.

[silverark]

This is were I got mine. Best price and free shipping. Love the Equal I zer.https://www.makariosrv.com/equalizer...lb-90-00-1000/

[SouthCo]

Blue OX WDH is what I use. They work great and are easy to setup.

[havnfun]

Another Equa-i-zer fan here. Been using Equal-I-zer for over 6 years on two different TTs and feel very comfortable when towing. I have absolutely no sway in any condition.....high winds, trucks passing, etc.
I also recommend Etrailer for a good price and great service.
Happy RVing,
Jeff

[Donedroolin]

So I just ordered the Blu Ox System with the 1500 pound bars from our local camper place. Looked on line , it was about the same price after shipping and all that. Also they said they would help me set it up. And I know I should be getting the right one. There are different models depending on how the trailer tounge is mounted. My Eagle has the trailer hitch welded to the bottom of the V tounge of my trailer. There is a different one depending on where your hitch is mounted on the V of the trailer. Top welded or bottom welded. I did not know this. Cant wait to get and try it. My camper however is at the body shop getting the front cap painted. Could be a month they said, UUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGGG. This is the earliest I ever uncovered it. Wish it was here to try camping in the driveway in the cold weather were getting. Have been wanting to see how the glacier package and double pane windows really do.

[SouthCo]

Very nice. With our new camper I had to buy the underslung Blue OX as well. Gave the regular Blue OX setup away with the original camper.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by Donedroolin

So I just ordered the Blu Ox System with the 1500 pound bars from our local camper place.......snip

Hang on to all the installation/adjustment documentation that comes with the new WDH, it may come in handy for future reference.

Bob