Can Friction Sway Control be Used on Class I Hitches?

Question:

This product states that it can not be used with class I hitches. What is the reasoning for this? I recently purchased a small 4’ x 6’ trailer with a small rack to tow behind the Jeep for kayaks and paddleboards. This trailer definitely does not need weight distribution etc. but I want/need a sway control unit due to the very small wheelbase of the Jeep and trailer. I need to eliminate any trailer sway possibilities. Will other manufactures have a unit that I can utilize for this setup?

asked by: Bryan

Expert Reply:

I may have a sway control option for you, but friction sway control bars like the Reese Sway Control Kit, # 83660, cannot be used with Class I trailer hitches because they add a degree of tension to the hitch that they were not designed to accept.

Your options at this point would be to either install a heavier duty trailer hitch if your Jeep can accept one or add electronic sway control to your trailer like the Tuson Electronic Sway Control System, # 335TSC-1000.

If you can send me the year and model of your Jeep, I'd be happy to see if a stronger trailer hitch is available. This will likely be the lease expensive route. If you are interested in the Tuson system, I've attached a review video and installation instructions for you to check out.

Something else that you may want to consider to fight trailer sway is equal weight distribution inside the trailer. You will want to load the trailer so that approximately 60 percent of the weight is in front of the axle and 40 percent of the weight is behind the axle with the heavier items located closer to the axle. This should put the trailer's tongue weight somewhere between 10 to 15 percent of the total trailer weight. Proper weight distribution inside the trailer is your first defense against sway.

expert reply by: Timothy G