Correct Blue Ox Sway Pro Weight Distribution System

Question:

We purchased a Forest River XLR Boost 31QB and our sales rep recommended we go with a Blue Ox Sway Pro 1500 WDH. When connected on the 9th chain link, the bars are definitely flexed and my truck 2017 2500HD Duramax is within 1/2inch of stock height on the front and 1inch on the back. I cannot seem to get the chains any tighter than that. The trailer seems to pull ok, but I do get some sway from time to time with wind. After doing more research, I purchased a tongue weight scale and have found that when loaded with my ATVs in the garage of the trailer in the back my TW is 1275lbs, but without the ATVs my TW is 1750. My first question is....are the 1500lb bars I currently have sufficient, or should I have the 2000lb bars? Most times I have the ATVs with me, but there are times I do not. Secondly, would 2000lb bars enable me to get the truck back to stock height and hopefully help more with the occasional sway? Thank you!

asked by: Phil

Expert Reply:

When connecting a weight distribution system you're not always going to be able to get completely back to unloaded stock height. The goal is to try and get as close as you can but it's not always realistic and your numbers aren't too far off so that's not the part I would focus on.

Instead I would pay closer attention to making sure the bars you're using are rated for the tongue weight and I think this might be where your issue is. When you weigh your trailer with the ATVs loaded the tongue weight is decreased to under 1,500 pounds so the SwayPro # BXW1500 sounds like it should be enough. However, when selecting a system you also need to add in any weight behind the tow vehicle's rear axle. If you did factor this into your 1,275 pounds then the system should be good for you but if you're loading it with a couple hundred pounds you're going to be pushing it and you want to go with the 2,000 pound bars, part # BXW4014.

The other issue is when you're not carrying the ATVs the 1,500 pound system is not enough even if you don't have weight in the back of your Duramax. In this case you should be using the 2,000 pound bars as well.

expert reply by: Charles S