Cause and Fix for Sway from Boat Trailer Towed by 5th Wheel Trailer

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Question:

We pull a fifth wheel, and behind the fw a boat with a trailer that has a pole tongue. What can we do to prevent sway?

asked by: Monica C

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Expert Reply:

In a tandem towing application, meaning pulling one trailer with another trailer, sway is common. If you happen to have a bass boat, which is much heavier in the rear due to the engine's weight, the sway problem will be especially noticeable. Any trailer tows best when it has the right amount of tongue weight (TW), which is generally 12 to 14-percent of its gross weight (GVWR).

Most hitches mounted on 5th wheels will NOT be rated for use with a weight distribution system. To use one of these systems, like the Equal-I-zer # EQ37100ET which includes built-in sway control, the hitch MUST be rated for such a use. The hitch sticker will tell you if it is rated for use with WD systems; it must explicitly state that it is. Simple friction bar sway control devices like # 83660 can't keep up with this kind of sway issue. If your 5th wheel's trailer hitch is rated for use with WD please tell me.

Your best remedy for the sway in your tandem towing setup is going to be very careful loading of the boat trailer to increase its tongue weight. Without enough TW the engine will act like a clock's pendulum that swings back and forth. Once this sway starts it will be very hard to stop it so it is best to try your best to avoid the sway through careful loading.

You need to be aware that as you increase the TW at the front of the boat trailer, that will push down more on the rear of the 5th wheel, reducing its pin weight at the truck. Some loading experiments and trial runs are really your best method to find the best compromise.

expert reply by: Adam R

0

Answer 1

Sway controls are designed to be used in situations where sway is a direct result of some type of road condition, like high winds or large vehicles passing. If you have sway with a trailer under normal towing conditions, sway control will most…

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Answer 2

Your best option would be to either replace your trailer jack or add a second jack that comes with a drop leg. We had a trailer here at our facility that was in a similar situation and this method worked pretty well. We kept the original sidewind…

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Answer 3

Your best option would be to either replace your trailer jack or add a second jack that comes with a drop leg. We had a trailer here at our facility that was in a similar situation and this method worked pretty well. We kept the original sidewind…

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Answer 4

You will have to go with a sliding hitch to allow the trailer to make tight turns. For a trailer 8 feet wide the only bed length that's going to allow 90 degree turns without a slider is a stationary hitch. That being said you have two options.…

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Answer 5

The OEM prep package consists of 4 "pucks" in the bed of the truck that will allow you to drop in puck style hitches for easy installation and removal, that gives you a completely clear bed when not in use. The B&W Companion OEM 5th…

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Answer 6

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 7

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 8

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

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Answer 9

For sag from towing a trailer the best recommendation I can make is actually a weight distribution system. Suspension enhancement will help level your truck while towing. But the advantage to a weight distribution system is that it levels the vehicle…

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Answer 10

Hey Steve, so between the Curt #C16265 and the Pullrite #PUL36ZR I'd go wit the Curt but not the Q25. I'd go with the A25 #C24FR, which is basically the same thing as the Q25 but does not require the #C88KR adapter. Only the Curt is going to…

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Answer 11

Great question, Jeff! When the Rota-Flex first came out it renovated what a pin box could do and be, but at this point in time that technology is a little more dated and the Gen-Y Hitch Shock Absorbing 5th Wheel Pin Box #325-GH-8040 is the "new…

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Answer 12

If you take a look at the linked diagram you can see the minimum recommended clearance distances between truck and trailer for 5th wheel towing. It is recommended to have at least 5-inches from the top of the bed rails to the bottom of the trailer…

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Cause and Fix for Sway from Boat Trailer Towed by 5th Wheel Trailer

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