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  1. #1
    a cool, fancy title hollohas's Avatar
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    Default Trailer towing advice

    I have finally upgraded to a HD truck and need some advice regarding proper hitch and hitch accessory setup.

    I have a 29ft, twin axle, 6900lb GVWR camper trailer that I have been towing with a round bar, weight distribution/sway control hitch setup behind a Tundra. Tongue weight is about 750 lbs. With this setup I have experienced zero trailer sway in the 3+ years I've been towing it, even in extreme wind. It worked great.

    But now I'm going to ditch the WD hitch since I have the HD truck. But should I add a sway control kit? I understand proper weight distribution is key to limiting trailer sway, but does a sway control kit actually help or is mostly just extra peace of mind? Sway control kits are inexpensive, and installation is not complicated, but if they're not necessary, I'd rather not go through the extra effort.

    Let me know what y'all think.

  2. #2
    High Power Shooter 20X11's Avatar
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    Yes...sway control is necessary (well at least highly desirable) regardless of the capacity of the towing vehicle.

  3. #3
    a cool, fancy title hollohas's Avatar
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    Are the friction style sway control kits sufficient? Or should I just stick with the WD/SC (fastway e2) setup?

    I see that it's recommend to use one friction style setup on each side for a trailer this size and weight.
    Last edited by hollohas; 04-17-2019 at 08:40.

  4. #4
    Industry Partner BPTactical's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by hollohas View Post
    Are the friction style sway control kits sufficient? Or should I just stick with the WD/SC (fastway e2) setup?

    I see that it's recommend to use one friction style setup on each side for a trailer this size and weight.
    DON'T DITCH THE HITCH!!!!
    Keep your Fastway, it is a great hitch. If your WD is properly set up sway is non existent.
    My truck is about as HD as you can get, F350 Crew cab Powerstroke and I won't tow without my WD hitch.
    I have towed our 26' camp trailer with my F350 both with and without the WD hitch (Fastway E2 8K square bar). It makes a marked difference and tows much more securely and stable with the WD hitch.
    "Sway Control" is merely a cover up for improper weight distribution, it's masking the symptoms of the disease.
    Last edited by BPTactical; 04-17-2019 at 10:46.
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  5. #5
    Machine Gunner Martinjmpr's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by BPTactical View Post
    DON'T DITCH THE HITCH!!!!
    Keep your Fastway, it is a great hitch. If your WD is properly set up sway is non existent.
    My truck is about as HD as you can get, F350 Crew cab Powerstroke and I won't tow without my WD hitch.
    I have towed our 26' camp trailer with my F350 both with and without the WD hitch (Fastway E2 8K square bar). It makes a marked difference and tows much more securely and stable with the WD hitch.
    "Sway Control" is merely a cover up for improper weight distribution, it's masking the symptoms of the disease.
    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    I concur with this

    Ain't broke/don't need fixin'. If your current WDH has worked, why not keep using it?

    I tow a much smaller trailer (3500lbs) with a half ton (Suburban 1500) and I really like the way the WDH keeps the rear end from sagging - and it feels more "secure" on the road. I have the Fastway E2 as well. Unlike the chain-type of WDH I can back up with the Fastway. And now that I've gotten into the routine it's pretty easy to hook up.
    Martin

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  6. #6
    Grand Master Know It All
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    Sway control is usually unnecessary for towing a properly distributed trailer. The issue with campers is wind born sway. Which is unpredictable, and the anti sway is insurance against this. It can save your rig. Having said that, I personally would not choose to use it

  7. #7
    Zombie Slayer
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    Default Increased pulling power seemed to induce sway...

    I would go with a sway control system. I have a single axle trailer. Came up here from Florida. Transmission was slipping. Dropped off the trailer midway and went back to Florida without it. Got the transmission rebuilt. Hitched up the trailer, got 20 miles on the interstate. Suddenly trailer does a wild swaying over 45 MPH. Went to RV place and got a single friction sway controller. Was fine after that.
    It was SCARY as hell watching the trailer sway over into the other lane.
    It is like having a gun, better to have it and not need it. Blah, blah, blah...
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  8. #8
    Paper Hunter Trigger Time 23's Avatar
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    I use the trailer sway, and have been glad I had it with some of the wind we get. We camp up in Wyoming sometimes and it can get crazy windy on that drive.

  9. #9
    a cool, fancy title hollohas's Avatar
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    Thanks guys. The Fastway e2 really is an excellent hitch. I was hoping to avoid going through the rigamoral of setting-up the WD hitch for a new truck (I don't have a nice level spot to do it at home) but sounds like that's the way to go. Gonna load up the big wrenches and find a nice flat parking lot.

  10. #10
    Zombie Slayer
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    I forgot to say I had the single axle trailer on a weight distributing hitch. The sway control system was necessary after I got to the Ozark mountains. Not sure why, but the trailer was whipping around like an angry cats tail. There wasn't that much wind either. I am assuming it was the road surface that wasn't liking the tires/suspension of the trailer.
    Per Ardua ad Astra

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