Sway Control Option for Towing in Slick, Icy Condtions
Question:
1st- thanks for all your help and service. You Guys have always been very prompt and informational. Truck- 2015 ford super duty F350 Diesel. Tires - 35/12.50/18 BFG AT 10ply, Tires 1year old great shape. Summer towing. 26’ Jayco toy hauler 8,500lb empty. Full load estimated probably around, 12,000 - 13,000lb. Summer Hitch - Equal - i - zer 12,000lb. Truck, trailer , hitch set up tows fantastic. summer only New winter / Summer trailer Bought new 2019 legend, aluminum enclosed 26’ box, 2’ V - 28’ over all + tongue. 78” inside Hight. 2 - 3,500lb axles. 2,500lb empty 4,500lb. capacity. Summer time pulls fantastic with said hitch. Estimated 3,000- 4,000lb This is first winter using it. No load weighing or sway control for winter. Winter hitch - Gen - Y - hitch 2” 12,000. 2 - 4 snowmobiles + tools and stuff. Roughly 1,500 - 2,500. WAY TOO MUCH SWAY. Most if not all of my driving is in northern Michigan and in the U.P of Michigan. Did a little bit of homework on your site. I think my fix could be, Dual sway control adapter 2” GH300-1 Also 2 sway control arms GH-601. NOW BIG question In the directions on your site, it says do not use sway control arms in snowy icy conditions. I don’t understand why ? Sway control is going to keep the trailer from blowing sideways on ice I would think ? Definitely not new to pulling trailers in bad conditions. snowmobiling since 1998. 4 trips out to Wyoming pulling bigger trailers. 2 in the winter, 2 in summer. I definitely need a little bit of info for this trailer for these conditions. Additional info Truck has airbags, so I am able to make sure winter Trailer is perfectly level. Also, heavier part of the load is always to the front of the trailer. Information appreciated, also thank you for your time.
asked by: Mike B
Helpful Expert Reply:
While the Gen-Y sway control arm you asked about has been discontinued for a number of years, I can tell you that with sway control systems like it and the Curt Friction Sway Control Kit # 17200, you definitely do not want to use them in slick conditions like icy or wet roads.
The reason is because slick conditions can make the trailer slide more - mostly on turns - and this can cause excessive understeer and your wheels to spin and your truck and trailer losing control (the specific scientifics as to why this occurs is beyond our reach - we just know this is exactly what can occur). The long and short of it is that independent friction sway control can potentially reduce how well you can control your truck in slick conditions.
If you don't want to go with a weight distribution system I recommend the Curt True Course Advanced Bluetooth Trailer Sway Control # C94VV which activates electric brakes when it senses sway,
Products Referenced in This Question
Curt True Course Advanced Bluetooth Trailer Sway Control - 1 to 4 Axles
- Weight Distribution Hitch
- Sway Control Only
- Severe Sway
- CURT
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Reese Friction Sway Control Kit - Economy - by Draw-Tite, Reese and Hidden Hitch
- Accessories and Parts
- Weight Distribution Hitch
- Sway Control Parts
- Reese
more information >
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