How to Select Weight Distribution/Sway Control Hitch for Rockwood Camper Trailer  

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Expert Reply:

There are specific towing conditions that tend to justify use of a trailer weight distribution and/or sway control system. Those include when the trailer weighs more than half the weight of the tow vehicle and of course when there is enough trailer sway to get your attention. The linked article will provide further explanation about when these systems are appropriate.

The simple friction-style anti-sway bars like # 83660 can help a bit with limiting trailer sway and they are much more effective on smaller camper trailers than larger ones. Still they do not come close to the total handling improvement you get from a weight distribution system that incorporates sway prevention in its design. The friction units also do not allow you to back up without first removing the friction bar. That can get old really fast.

These integrated systems not only control or prevent sway but they also shift some of the trailer tongue weight (TW) forward to balance the load on the tow vehicle's two axles. Shifting some of the trailer TW forward to the vehicle's front axle restores braking and steering performance that can be lost when the front end is lifted by trailer weight on the rear hitch.

Specs for the Rockwood A192HW indicate a dry hitch weight of 341-lbs, so fully loaded you're looking at 500-lbs TW. Please click on the linked page to see WD/SC systems perfect for that tongue weight. All of those shown include the shank, work fine with your electric brakes and work to prevent sway in the first place, rather than trying to stop it once it has begun.

The Husky Center Line system # HT32216 is perfect for your trailer since it works fro 400- to 600-lbs of TW. It is also complete, nothing more to buy. A 2-5/16-inch hitch ball is even included. Please have a look at the two linked videos on this system.

expert reply by: Adam R

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