Sway Control for Small Lightweight Trailer with Surge Brakes

Question

Question:

Will a friction sway bar for a 14 foot 1875 lb trailer be worth the money for some extra piece of mind. Also can I use the bar with surge brakes.

asked by: Kurt

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

Weight distribution is recommended if the gross trailer weight is 50 percent or more of the gross vehicle weight, you are experiencing sway or if the rear end of the vehicle is sagging when the trailer is connected. A friction sway control bar kit like Reese part # 83660 is not compatible with surge brakes. If you are experiencing sway or sag the best option is a light duty weight distribution system with sway control.

I recommend Fastway e2 Weight Distribution system with 2 point sway control part # FA92-00-0450. This particular Fastway system is designed for lightweight trailers with tongue weights between 100 and 450 lbs. Since your tongue weight will most likely be between 180 and 300 lbs this Fastway system is the best option for your trailer setup. The integrated 2 point friction sway control helps to eliminate side to side movement of the trailer while on the road. It works much like the friction sway bar kit. When the trailer sways the spring bars move side to side (or front and back), the spring bars slide in the brackets and generate friction that creates resistance and limits the trailer's movement. The Fastway allows for backing up the trailer and works with surge brakes.

You do need a hitch ball with a 1 inch diameter shank part # 63845 if you have a 2 inch ball and part # 19260 if you have a 1 7/8 inch ball coupler. The Fastway e2 is the most cost effective option for your setup for a lightweight trailer and surge brakes.

expert reply by: Heather A

1

Answer 1

I do have a recommendation as unfortunately the Friction Sway Bar #17200 is not surge brake compatible. Using a hitch like the Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System #EQ37100ET integrates sway control into the weight distribution. Best of all it…

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Answer 2

I definitely have a solution for you, however as you mentioned in your question a standard friction sway bar like the Reese #83660 or a full weight distribution system that uses this type of friction sway control cannot be used on trailers with surge…

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Answer 3

Aftermarket electronic sway control units can provide some degree of correction for trailer sway. However, such a device is not compatible with surge-type trailer brakes. It will work only with electric and electric-over-hydraulic trailer braking…

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Answer 4

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 5

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 6

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 7

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 8

Curt recommends the use of 250 ft/lbs of torque when tightening the nuts of their hitch balls with a 1 inch diameter shank like the part #C40034 that you referenced. The general rule is for a 3/4" shank tighten to 150 ft/lbs For a 1" shank…

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Answer 9

Hi Bill, The Fastway e2 Weight Distribution w/ 2-Point Sway Control #FA92-00-0450 has a tongue weight range of 200lbs - 450lbs so you'd be right around the middle of the capacity when loaded, making this a great choice. This doesn't come with…

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Answer 10

Those are some good questions, and we'll start with if the brake lights will flash during activation using the Curt True Course Advanced Bluetooth Trailer Sway Control #C94VV. The answer to that is no, they will not flash when the True Course is…

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Answer 11

I just checked with my contact at Curt. The Curt True Course #C94VV does not have a provision for the user to adjust its sensitivity. The True Course is more for emergency maneuvers, high winds, semi trucks passing and so on. It is not necessarily…

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