Recommended Sway Control for Trailer Over 12,000-lbs

Question:

What do you recommend for independent sway control from a trailer in the 12,000-14,000lb range? I saw one answer that stated to use two sway control bars for trailers from 6,000-10,000lb, but nothing about heavy loads.

asked by: Charlie S

Expert Reply:

Independent friction-style trailer sway control systems like the Reese # 83660 can help with trailer sway in lighter trailers, and two of them can be used with trailers up to about 10K and 26-feet or more in length. For a trailer over 10,000-lbs you will need a dependent (or built-in) type sway control that works with a weight distribution system. Friction units simply cannot deal with sway in trailers over that weight.

The key to selecting a weight distribution/sway control system (WD/SC) is to know the trailer's actual fully loaded tongue weight (TW) and to this to add the weight of anything in the tow vehicle that sits behind the rear axle, say a generator or loaded cooler. This total effective TW figure will let you choose a system that is tuned correctly for your trailer's TW and deliver the weight shift and sway reduction you are looking for. I linked an article on weight distribution systems and also one on determining trailer tongue weight, such as by using a scale # e99044.

With that TW known you can use the linked page to select a system. Click on your total TW figure to see suitably-rated system that include sway control. For an example we'll figure on a TW of 1400 to 1500-lbs. A great choice for a trailer with electric brakes and this TW is the Reese Strait-Line trunnion system # RP66075. All you need to add is a shank and a hitch ball, such as # RP54977 and # 63840.

This system will not only prevent sway from starting, it will shift some TW forward onto the tow vehicle front axle to maintain traction for proper steering and braking.