How Can I Reduce Sway On A 20 Foot Camper With 4000 lb Towing Weight?

Question:

Hi, I have a 2006 ford E150 I pull a 20ft camper 4000lbs above 50mph it seems like I could lose control of it swaying. I have a weight dist. hitch with sway bar on it. I had the camper place check it and its set up right. Any suggestions? Is it just the van? Thanks

asked by: Dave

Expert Reply:

The sway you are feeling is not based on your van. Sure the crosswinds will have an effect on the van and the trailer combination, but this sounds like it is either a loading issue or an equipment issue. When you load your trailer, you will want to make sure you put more weight to the front toward the tongue and over the axle(s) and make sure you don't load much weight behind the axle. You will also want to try to keep the weight distributed side to side as evenly as possible.

Since you have had a camper place check out your system to ensure it is set up right, it may just not be the right system for your vehicle. If you have a friction sway control bar, you may want to add an additional one, like the Reese Friction Sway Control Kit, # 83660. If you already have two friction bars, I suggest upgrading your weight distribution system to account for sway being a major factor in the design of the system.

When you look at weight distribution systems, the total tongue weight is the most important. You want a system that will have your total tongue weight as close to the middle of the system's range as possible. This total tongue weight includes the trailer tongue weight which is typically 10-15% of the trailer weight, along with any cargo or passenger weight behind the rear axle of the towing vehicle. I've attached an article on determining your trailer tongue weight to help. Too big or too small a system will not help you control sway as well.

My recommendation for a weight distribution system for your application is the Strait-Line Weight Distribution System w Sway Control - Trunnion Bar - 8,000 lbs GTW, 800 lbs TW, # RP66083. This system is the best at controlling and even minimizing sway. The trunnion spring bars have a lip that fits on the dual cam on each side. This system keeps constant force on the bars to keep your trailer straight. On corners, the system overcomes the cams for turning clearance and then automatically comes back into place on the straight aways to prevent sway. I've attached an article to help.

expert reply by: Jason S