What Do I Need to Stop Excessive Trailer Sway on a 4,500 Pound Trailer Behind a 1994 Chevy Suburban

Question

Question:

I just purchased a new Fleetwood tent trailer with a tandem axle. The trailer is 16 and weighs approx. 4,400lbs. I pull it with a 1994 Suburban. Im having problems with swaying anytime I reach 60 to 65 mph. I purchased a sway bar which makes some difference but not enough. I emptied the holding tanks eliminated any weight in the rear of the trailer but still have the problem. My Suburban does have some play in the steering column is it possible my front end of the Suburban is the problem? The tires on the Suburban are less than 6 months old.

asked by: Mark

0

Expert Reply:

It sounds as if you have already taken care of a few issues that can cause excessive trailer sway. Eliminating some of the weight on the rear of the trailer can certainly help. You will also want to make sure your trailer is as level as possible when towing. Move as much weight as possible forward of the trailer axles. The ideal weight distribution would be 60 percent on the front, and 40 percent on the rear. If all this is taken care of, and you still experience trailer sway, you will have to get a more aggressive sway control system.

Having a weight distribution system can also help improve the steering, braking, and handling performance of your vehicle by distributing some of the tongue weight to the front axle of the tow vehicle, evening out your ride height. It sounds as if your trailer has a tongue weight somewhere in the neighborhood of 500 lbs. For a trailer such as yours, I would recommend the Reese Strait-Line Hitch, part # RP66072. This system combines a weight distribution system with the most aggressive anti-sway system offered. The Dual Cam High Performance Sway Control system will stop trailer sway before it can occur.

expert reply by: Mike L

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Answer 1

As long as the hitch on your 2017 Chevy Suburban is rated for use with weight distribution you will not need to replace the hitch to use a weight distribution system. I checked the owner's manual for the vehicle and weight distribution is…

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Answer 2

If you are trying to decide between a dual cam or friction style weight distribution system, then I recommend the dual cam system. Using a dual cam system, like the Reese Strait-Line #RP66084, will help eliminate trailer sway before it begins while…

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Answer 3

The best defenses against trailer sway are proper trailer loading and having the trailer sitting as level as possible while towing. Since you are going to have varying tongue weights it will make picking out the correct system a bit more difficult.…

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Answer 4

On the Reese Strait-Line Weight Distribution, part #RP66072, the lift brackets for the spring bars are positioned on the frame about 30 inches back from the center of the hitch ball on the coupler. If you have anything in the way on your 2012 Kodiak…

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Answer 5

First, the trailer should have a sticker or plate on the front of the frame or tongue somewhere that lists its capacity. that is the capacity you will need to go by for the trailer. You are likely correct that it will a capacity over 10,000 pounds…

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Answer 6

The main difference between the Tuson DirecLink Base Model Trailer Brake Controller part #335DL-100 and the Tuson DirecLink Lite Trailer Brake Controller part 335DL-50 is that the Base has low-speed brake adjustments and transmission temperature…

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Answer 7

You will need to start with a 4-way (if you do not have one) installed on your 2012 Volvo XC60 to install a brake controller. For that you would want the #118739 which I attached an install video for. From there you would need to convert the 4-way to…

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Answer 8

The Tuson DirecLink Base Model Trailer Brake Controller part #335DL-100 is an excellent top of the line option for a 2006 Chevrolet Silevrado 3500. It is a proportional brake controller which means it senses the deceleration of the tow vehicle and…

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Answer 9

If your old axles have a 5 bolt brake flange the assemblies like Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Assembly - 12" - Left Hand - 6,000 lbs part #23-105 or Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Assembly - 12" - Right Hand - 6,000 lbs part #23-106 will…

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Answer 10

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 11

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 12

A TCM double-lip grease seal number 127194 has an inner diameter of 1.274-inches and an outer diameter of 1.983-inches according to my research. The available grease seal nearest to those dimensions that we offer is part #RG06-010, which is a…

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