sway control

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Mar 18, 2004 | 07:24 AM

damone

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Joined: Feb 2004

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From: NorCal

sway control

I am considering the purchas eof a Toy Hauler. 24' 5600lb UVW. I am also considering a 21' 4900lb UVW, anyway. I will be towing with an 03' Expedition and was wondering what is more improtant when considering the use of sway control; length ot weight?

At what length/weight should I purchase sway control.

I already have purchased a EAZ Lift WD system.

Thanks,
D

Mar 18, 2004 | 08:23 AM

jim henderson

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From: So Cal

Not sure what UVW is, Unladen(?) vehicle weight? If is is the empty weight keep in mind cargo weight adds up much faster than the eyeball can figure. Depending on what you drive, the empty trailer may already be at or above your rated maximum for the truck. When you add cargo it gets worse. So let's hope you are talking F250 or bigger.

Longer trailers tow better in my opinion. Weight isn't as big an issue in itself. Balance of the weight is much more important. Assuming a regular hitch type trailer, you want 10-15% of the total weight of the trailer on the hitch. If too little weight is on the hitch, the trailer will get squirrly. Too much and handling will get sloppy.

I would probably get a sway bar with your weight. It will make any trip much more relaxed since you won't be needing to do as many steering corrections. I assume you have a weight distributing hitch.

Good Luck,

Jim Henderson

Mar 18, 2004 | 08:24 AM

fellro86

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From: Marengo, Iowa

My experience has been that if you load the trailer right, meaning not heavy on the tail, and with the weight dist. hitch, you won't need the sway bar, but that's my experience.

Mar 18, 2004 | 10:54 AM

horsepuller

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Joined: Sep 2000

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From: Southern California

If you have the EAZ Lift WD system, I would wait until you get your trailer. Then take a little shake-out trip to see how it handles. A WD hitch goes a long way towards eliminating a lot of the causes of 'sway'. So you may not actually need a separate sway control.

Mar 18, 2004 | 11:36 AM

damone

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From: NorCal

Thanks for the replies. I will do the test run and see how it goes.

When loaded including hitch weight my tow vehicle is at it's GVWR of 7300lbs. That leaves 7200lbs towing capacity. The GCVWR is 14,500.

I have done the math and have considered all ratings. I have accepted that I will be towing at my ratings and will upgrade when I can.

Appreciate any other replies as well.

Mar 19, 2004 | 05:43 AM

msmarcus

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Joined: Apr 2001

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From: East TN

Before a trip with my 24' car hauler, I purchased a friction type sway control (about $70) and installed it. I use a WD hitch and was towing about 7000lbs. I had NO trailer sway for the entire 20 hour trip. Not sure that I would have with out, but $70 was cheap peace of mind and made the trip very enjoyable, although I spent 4 weeks up to that point worrying myself silly reading posts on this website about trailer sway. Like the boy scouts say, be prepared.