Sounds painful.

I can see your point. The truck will never be able to prevent sway, only react and hopefully control it once it starts. It will not replace the need to properly adjust the hitch, distribute the weight in the trailer, and all the other things that we do to control sway.

Interesting. Personally I don't use a sway control. I just have a common WD hitch, and when I bought the trailer I had an F150. I bought the same brand of friction sway control arm. I mounted the thing up so I knew it would work. Then I took it off and put the arm in a storage compartment. I figured I would like to try towing without it, and if it seemed needed, or if I got into some bad wind, I could just stop and snap it on. Well, it hasn't been out of the compartment yet and I've never had a hint of sway out of that trailer. Makes me think that trailer design has a lot to do with tendency to sway. Since then I've moved to the F250, but the setup is the same.

I just don't agree with those who say the TV has no influence on tendency to sway. I see people with Excursions and Suburbans have more problem with sway than regular trucks, and I think it is because of the overhang behind the rear axle to the point of hitch. The longer that is, the more tendency to sway. Soft sidewall tires and soft springs contribute too.

Bill

 

Bill,

No arguments on your point from me.

and I AGREE 100% the OVERHANG of SUV's does indeed contribute to the sway...PLUS the SOFT REAR SPRINGS of SUV's that the mfg's install for the 'comfort' ride of the occupants. They feel ride comfort is MORE IMPORTANT over towing stability.

My Ex had these tendencies...I ended up making TWO mods...a rear hellwig sway bar and the RoadMaster Active suspension...those mods coupled with LT tires on the Ex and the HA hitch...have made for an incredibly stable towing combo under some pretty adverse towing conditions (35mph cross winds on the Interstate!)...but the Ex is NOW a stable tow platform...so I agree with you the TV DOES have an effect on the overall towing combo's stability...

And the HEAVIER the TV is compared to the TT...well that helps stability too...big dog up front.

What I obviously disagree with is the chosen Ford marketing ploy (IMO) and their use of the term 'TRAILER SWAY CONTROL'...that term MEANS SOMETHING to those of us that TOW...to believe that braking ALONE will control a violently swaying trailer...well...that is left to be proven I guess...but I'm not gonna subject the safety of my family and those I share the road with to prove Ford WRONG...sorry.

Thanks for the civil discussion!...great info shared (IMO).

joe.