Will Sway Control Prevent Persistent Trailer Sway that Starts Around 55 MPH

Question:

My camper doesn't have rear storage, so I always load everything in the front. No more than 200 lbs in the camper and 300 lbs in the bed of my truck. During my research I found 2 things. First, one of your experts recommends 2 sway controls for a 32 ft camper. And second, my weight distribution setup is incorrect, I need another drop hitch because my setup is 4 inches to high. I am going to try these two out and see what happens. I will most likely be purchasing the drop hitch shank from you guys as soon as I can get my shank comparison measurements finalized. I did appreciate Jamesons quick response.

asked by: John

Expert Reply:

The type of sway that you are getting won't get fixed by a sway control device as it's a loading issue in the trailer. Basically you don't have enough tongue weight in your trailer relative to the total trailer weight to allow the trailer not to sway. So what you need to do is move as much weight forward in the trailer as you can and you'd be set.

What you want is the tongue weight to be between 10 and 15 percent of the total trailer weight.

expert reply by: Jameson C

John

9/24/2019

Jameson C.

9/24/2019

Thanks for getting back to us with more info on your setup. You are on the right track by going with a drop shank that will get the trailer more level. That should help quite a bit and I suspect will easily take care of the problem. The type of sway you have won't be fixed by adding a second friction sway control device although it won't hurt to try. Friction sway control is designed to curb sway that is caused by passing semi trucks and high winds. Persistent sway is almost always not enough tongue weight or the trailer sitting too high as well. I should have mentioned that in my first response for sure. I attached a page that details how to pick out the correct rise/drop ball mount as well as a page that has all of the weight distribution shanks we offer as well.