Recommended Weight Distribution/Sway Control System for 2005 Cadillac Escalade Towing Airstream

Question:

Have 2005 Cadillac Esc with short wheel base of 116. Has factory air shocks in rear with auto leveler. Has V8- 6.0 engine and 4 gear auto transmission Purchased used 2002 30ft Airstream Gross Wt when loaded including water/propane = 8300# Tongue Wt = 760 to 830# depending on loaded gear Currently unable to drive more than 50 to 55 mph before it begins to sway from wind/cars/trucks. Is product mfg by FASTWAY Trailer called E2 Hitch rated for 1,000/10,000 lb adequate for my rig or is the Equal-i-zer Hitch better or do you recommend something else to buy?

asked by: R J

Expert Reply:

There are two ways to add sway control to your trailer set-up. One is to add simple friction-type sway control devices like Reese # 83660 (two can be used on a 30-foot trailer) to the existing hitch. The other method, which offers better performance and naturally is more costly, is to add a weight distribution/sway control (WD/SC) system like the Fastway e2 trunnion bar system # FA92-00-1000 which will provide both trailer sway control and a shifting of tongue weight (TW) forward onto the Escalade's front axle for better steering and braking performance.

Please do note that according to my research your Escalade's towing capacity can range from 7400-lbs up to a maximum of 8100-lbs depending on the specific mix of equipment in it. Since you have the factory air suspension/auto leveler you are likely to be nearer to the top of that range but it is best to check your manual to be sure that your trailer is not overloading the vehicle.

If your trailer hitch is rated for use with a WD system (check its safety sticker) you can use a system that is rated for your measured TW of about 800-lbs. Note that the weight of anything in vehicle that sits behind the rear axle (say a loaded cooler or generator) also counts as TW so add that to the actual measured trailer TW.

Ideally your total effective TW will fall right in the middle of the system's operating range. For instance the Fastway e2 # FA92-00-1000 works for TW ranging up to 1000-lbs so it will be ideal for an 800-lb TW. All you need to add is a hitch ball; use part # 63840 for a 2-5/16-inch ball.