Electronic vs. Mechanical Sway Control and How to Select One to Match Trailer
Question:
Hi, I have a 2017 Grand Cherokee with trailer sway control TSC and an aftermarket brake controller. I also have a WDS hitch with a sway bar. Can I also install an electronic sway controller on the trailer and will it provide any additional benefit?
asked by: John
Expert Reply:
You ask an interesting question.
If your 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee has the factory-installed trailer sway control (TSC) system already and you are also using a mechanical weight distribution/sway control hitch system I do not recommend adding a third system. These items can tend to fight each other and could even make handling worse when used together.
The electronic systems like your factory TSC and the aftermarket systems operate differently than the mechanical weight distribution/sway control (WD/SC) hitches like # EQ37100ET.
Electronic sway control works by selectively applying either left and right vehicle brakes once trailer sway is detected. While they might help reduce trailer sway once it has started, they do nothing to prevent sway or to address the loss of front-axle traction that is caused by the trailer's tongue weight (TW) pushing down on the hitch and the vehicle's rear end. That rear TW tends to lift the front axle which reduces the front tires' traction. This negatively affect both steering and braking performance.
No electronic sway system can fix this fundamental issue but a properly-rated and correctly-installed weight distribution/sway control hitch can, and at the same time one can also address the matter of trailer sway, but through mechanical means, and without prematurely wearing out your Jeep's brakes.
If a WD/SC hitch is rated and installed properly there should be little to no need for any type of electronic device. Systems that use a simple friction style sway bar like # 83660 simply cannot deliver the same results as one that integrates the sway control, such as the system referenced. You can add a second friction unit but this is kind of like painting over a bad paint job.
The key to selecting the correct WD/SC hitch is knowing the actual tongue weight of the fully-loaded trailer with all your gear and supplies loaded, as well as the weight of any cargo in the vehicle that sits behind the rear axle, such as a generator. Dry hitch weight from the trailer specs is not enough.
Use of a scale like the etrailer # e99044 is by far the easiest way to know your actual TW and to this you will add the weight of any behind-the-axle cargo in the vehicle. That total TW figure allows you to choose the right system for your specific loaded trailer. Ideally your total TW will fall in the middle of the system's operating range. The Equal-I-zer system # EQ37100ET works over a TW range of 600- to 1000-lbs so it would be ideal for total TW of 800-lbs.
Please feel free to tell me about your total TW and I will be glad to offer a recommendation. In the meantime the linked video and article on WD may be of interest.
Products Referenced in This Question
Reese Friction Sway Control Kit - Economy - by Draw-Tite, Reese and Hidden Hitch
- Accessories and Parts
- Weight Distribution Hitch
- Sway Control Parts
- Reese
more information >
etrailer Tongue Weight Scale for Campers and Utility Trailers - 2,000-lb Capacity
- Tongue Weight Scale
- Analog Scale
- 2000 lbs
- etrailer
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System w/ 4-Point Sway Control - 10,000 lbs GTW, 1,000 lbs TW
- Weight Distribution Hitch
- WD With Sway Control
- Some Sway
- Includes Shank
- Electric Brake Compatible
- Surge Brake Compatible
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- Allows Backing Up
- 800 lbs
- 900 lbs
- Equal-i-zer
more information >
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on Weight Distribution Hitch
Debra
4/22/2024
Hello Adam! I have a tow vehicle that can tow up to 5000 pounds. I tow a camper that is 2731 lbs, and I use a wireless brake controller….do I need anti-sway bars? Or a weight distribution hitch? Thank you!