Comparison of Sway Control Systems for Use on 9200-lb Travel Trailer

Question:

I am looking to upgrade my sway control. I have a travel trailer approx. 9,200 lbs loaded. From what I see the better ones are the equal-I-zer, Blue Ox sway pro, Reese dual cam kind of heard this one is a pain to keep set up, and the Husky centerline. Do you have any recommendations between these? Thank you

asked by: Kevin

Expert Reply:

Weight distribution hitches with built-in sway control come in two basic flavors, those that react to sway once it begins and those that prevent it from happening in the first place. There are also stand-alone friction sway control systems like the # 17200 from Curt.

I tend to recommend the sway-prevention type from Sway Pro since our customers report these do tend to deliver better real-world performance. The rig that prevents sway will save you from those "exciting" moments on the road when you feel the trailer tugging on the truck's rear end. Even a little of that is not a good thing.

Your trailer's loaded gross weight (9200-lbs) is one important consideration for choosing a weight distribution/sway control system, but the other critical factor is your trailer tongue weight. This is really where you need to measure and match your trailer's fully-loaded ready-to-tow tongue weight and add to it anything that rides behind the rear axle in the tow vehicle, such as a generator or loaded cooler. This total effective tongue weight is the factor you'll use to match a system to your trailer.

Matching is important because a system rated too low will not deliver the weight redistribution to the tow vehicle's front axle and one rated too high could result in jumpy and erratic handling. The linked article will give you more about measuring tongue weight.

Once you know your total effective tongue weight you can use the link provided to review our available systems. Chances are it will fall in the 1100-1200-lb range (12 - 13% of your trailer gross weight). The link provided will let you see all of our available sway-prevention hitches suited to this tongue weight.

The system I recommend is the Blue Ox SwayPro trunnion bar system # BXW1500. This system works with both electric and surge brake trailers, allows you to back up, features no-drill frame clamps and requires no head angle adjustment. All you need to add is the hitch ball, either 2-5/16-inch # 19286 or 2-inch # A-90. This system is easier to set up than most competing units. The linked video will give you additional information on the Sway Pro.