Comparing Friction Sway Control to Equal-I-zer Weight Distribution and Sway Prevention Hitch

Question:

The trailer Jayco 28rls came with a husky 1000 lb weight distribution hitch and a single friction type single sway bar I am not at all comfortable towing it at highway speeds From what I have read it needs two sway controllers or start over with a Reese hitch. I’ve never felt this concern for saftt with other trailers. Towing with a 2017 f150 with a 3.5 eco boost and ten speed auto transmission and their 10700 tow package. Will going to a hitch with different sway control help

asked by: Rick S

Expert Reply:

The friction style anti-sway bars like # 83660 can often help control sway with a smaller trailer like a pop-up camper but a substantial tandem axle travel trailer like your Jayco 28RLS (GVWR 8750 for the 2017 model year) will do a lot better with integrated sway prevention.

Friction bars do not do anything until your trailer has already started to sway. At that point they will apply friction to try to bring the swaying trailer back into line with your tow vehicle. Integrated weight distribution/sway control (WD/SC) setups like the Equal-I-zer # EQ37100ET work all the time to prevent the trailer from getting into that oscillating sway motion in the first place. These integrated anti-sway set-ups deliver far better performance than a simple friction bar. Plus, they also allow you to back up the trailer without having to get out of the truck to disconnect the bar.

The key to picking a WD/SC system is knowing the total tongue weight (TW) of your towing set-up, including the TW of the fully-loaded trailer itself, plus the weight of any cargo in the truck that sits behind the rear axle (like a cooler or generator) since that weight too will act just like trailer TW. The easiest way to measure trailer TW is to use a scale # e99044.
Once you know the total TW of your towing set-up you can select a system. You want to choose one so that your total TW figure falls in the middle of its effective range. Equal-I-zer # EQ37100ET works over a range of 600- to 1000-lbs of total TW so it would be ideal if your figure were 800-lbs.
If you typically load your trailer close to is maximum GVWR then this particular system may be too light. If your total TW is more like 1100- to 1200-lbs then instead you'd want # EQ37140ET.

These Equal-I-zer systems effectively prevent sway and one will make a big difference in your highway towing experience as compared to a friction bar.