Is Weight Distribution Still Needed on 2016 Volvo XC90 that has Sway Control Braking System

Question:

I have an 16foot Airstream sport hitch weight 350#, GVWR 3500#. My tow vehicle is a 2016 Volvo XC90 plug in hybrid 5059# vehicle weight, 5000# towing capacity, 500# tongue weight. Volvo claims the vehicle manages trailer sway with a system that compensates for sway by applying vehicle brakes differentially. Do I need additional sway control? Do I really need a weight leveling device? If I carefully manage weight distribution and hitch ball height, can I dispense with a weight distribution device?

asked by: David M

Expert Reply:

Sway control devices like what your vehicle has built into it are nice for reducing sway but they do not take the place of a weight distribution system in terms of ride improvement, braking performance, and sway prevention (as opposed to trying to fight sway once it has started).

Especially anytime the weight of the trailer is over half the total towing capacity of the vehicle we strongly recommend a weight distribution system.

The best way to pick out a weight distribution system is to base it off of the loaded tongue weight of the setup when it is loaded and ready to tow. This figure also includes the weight of any cargo behind the rear axle of the tow vehicle. I attached a help article on determining tongue weight for you to check out as well. You will want the loaded tongue weight of your setup to fall right in the middle of the tongue weight range of the system you use.

The best setup we can recommend is the Strait Line part # RP66083 which has a tongue weight range of 400-800 lbs and features the only sway control on the market designed to fight sway before it starts.

For a 2 inch ball you would want part # A-90 and for a 2-5/16 inch ball # 19286.