Best Way to Stop Trailer Sway for 2016 Ford F-150 Towing 9,000 lb Trailer

Question:

2016 Ford F-150 I tow a 9K travel trailer and I am experiencing swaying when trucks pass or wind gusts occur. I was going to install the Supersprings custom suspension stabilizer and sway control Kit along with the Timbren Suspension Enhancement system . Is this over kill and if it is which one would really do the trick in solving my problem.

asked by: Thomas B

Expert Reply:

Suspension enhancement like the SuperSprings Custom Suspension Stabilizer and Sway Control Kit # SSA28 and the Timbren Rear Suspension Enhancement System # TFR1504E that fit your 2016 Ford F-150 can help sway to a degree, but to truly solve the problem the best option by far is a weight distribution system with sway control. The reason for this is these systems work to prevent sway on the trailer before it starts while the suspension enhancements you referenced are designed to reinforce your truck.

It is important to get the properly rated system, which is done by knowing your total tongue weight - the tongue weight of your fully loaded and ready to go trailer plus the weight of any cargo behind the rear axle of your '16 F-150. For a travel trailer with a GVWR of 9,000 lbs a good estimate for tongue weight is in the neighborhood of 1,100 lbs and 1,200 lbs and for that weight I strongly recommend the Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System w/ 4-Point Sway Control # EQ37140ET because this system uses 4 points of sway control via friction in the spring bars on the trailer frame and in the system's head unit, providing the strongest way to combat trailer sway.

While there is always going to be a bit of sway in high crosswinds, the Equal-i-zer will greatly minimize it. The Equal-i-zer is also the preferred system because it uses clamp-on brackets so you won't have to drill along your trailer frame, and allows you to back up with the system on. Our customers who have used this system regard it very highly, with well over 400 reviews it has averaged nearly 5 out of 5 stars, as you can see on the product page. This system comes with everything you need for installation though it is recommended you use thin-walled socket # EQ70-00-4800 to help install the hitch ball. I have added links to video reviews for you to check out as well.

If you already have a weight distribution with sway control, it may not be properly set up so you can verify it by using a scale such as the etrailer Tongue Weight Scale # e99044 or by using one of the methods outlined in the help article on determining tongue weight I've linked for you.