Can Reese Friction-Style Sway Control 83660 Fit Trailer with Less Than 24-Inches of Frame Space

Question:

will sway control work on a wells cargo tw121 with a frame that doesn t have 24 inches of parallel space to the rear? will it work on an upward angle? Do the bolt on mount come for left side or just right side ?

asked by: Tom

Helpful Expert Reply:

Reese Friction-Style Sway Control unit # 83660 does require 24-inches of mounting space between the hitch ball center and the frame-mounted ball for the rear end of the sway control arm. This is also true for other systems like the Curt # 17200. You'll want to measure your Wells Cargo Tote Wagon TW121 (1200-lbs curb weight) to see if you have enough space. I could not find that info on the Wells Cargo website.

Systems like these require a sway control bracket that fits on your ball mount - either # RP26003 for a 2-inch ball mount or # RP26005 for a 1-1/4-inch. Friction type say units like this can also be used on the driver's side of the trailer frame; you simply remove and re-insert the slide bar and mount the unit upside down. You will want to install the sway control so that it is as level as possible, but a slight upward angle will be okay.

It is okay to use two of these units at the same time, one on each side of the trailer frame. Friction sway control mechanisms should be disengaged when driving in slippery road conditions and when backing up the trailer.

You can also help control sway by ensuring that you load your trailer so that is has enough tongue weight (TW). Trailers that are too heavy in the back (too light at the tongue) will tend to sway more. Keep your TW at about 15% of gross trailer weight.