Can Mechanical Sway Control be Used with Trailer Sway Control on 2019 Jeep Cherokee

Question:

I have a 2019 Jeep Cherokee with factory tow package. This package includes electronic anti sway control. I pull an RV that is 20 feet with a gross weight of 3800 pounds. I currently have a Blue Ox round bar WD system without sway control. I am having terrible trailer sway with this unit. Am I able to use a mechanical sway control device in addition to the electronic factory installed component? The trailer has a great deal of sway even with the electronic system from Jeep. My WD system is properly installed and the difference between front and rear height measurements is within 1/2 inch. Need some guidance please. Thanks

asked by: Heath

Expert Reply:

Thank you for all of the information! The short answer is that you can utilize a mechanical sway control that would come with a weight distribution (WD) system without disabling the trailer sway control (TSC) on your 2019 Jeep Cherokee. I took a look at the online owner's manual for your Jeep and the TSC only activates when the vehicle senses that excessive sway is happening. If you have a WD installed that works to fight sway then it should even prevent the TSC from coming online while you're towing.

There are a few things to note when choosing a WD system. You want to find one with a Tongue Weight (TW) range that the Total Tongue Weight (TTW) of your towing setup falls in the middle of. To find the TTW of your towing setup you will need to add the TW of your fully loaded and ready-to-go trailer, which you can use part # e99044 for, along with the weight of any cargo behind the rear axle of your tow vehicle. Keep in mind that a properly loaded trailer will have a TW that is 10-15% of the loaded weight of your trailer.

The Blue Ox WD systems are supposed to have an integrated sway control but if it isn't effective enough for you then I'd say you need a heavier Blue Ox system like part # BXW0550 (350 lbs - 550 lbs TW) or part # BXW0750 (550 lbs - 750 lbs TW).

If you'd like to upgrade to a system that works to fight sway before it starts instead of correcting it once it starts taking place then I recommend checking out the Reese Strait-Line # RP66083. This has a TW range of 400 lbs - 800 lbs and it uses dual cams that do a great job of preventing sway. To complete this WD system you just need a hitch ball with a 1/4" shank like the 2" # A-90 or the 2-5/16" # 19286.

I have attached a review video of the Strait-Line for you to check out.