Sway Control Option for Snowmobile Trailer with Straight Tongue
Question:
I have a snowmobile trailer that has a straight tongue on it. It weighs 2700# and putting a payload of approximately 2000# in it. I’m not sure of the tongue weight. It is 7 1/2 ’wide x 7’ tall x 26’ long. I’m getting a lot of sway in my tow vehicle. I’ve added air bags already to my truck. Didn’t help. Any suggestions. Pulls straight on good in back roads but can’t go down the highway over 55 mph. Also, is it true or false ? Can you use a weight distribution hitch on icy roads ?
asked by: Brent B
Helpful Expert Reply:
Let's start with your last question and the answer is True, sort of. The main issue with weight distribution systems and icy roads is when the weight distribution systems come with sway control. Most sway control systems function by forcing the trailer to stay in line with the vehicle by applying pressure against the A-frame of the tongue. On icy roads, this can cause the trailer tires to hydroplane on the ice because the sway control is working against the tire tread's traction.
Adding air bags to your truck won't do much for sway other than maybe reducing how much trailer sway you can actually feel in the truck. For your situation, I think you'd be best suited with electronic sway control like the Curt True Course, # C94VV. This sway control works by gently applying power to the trailer brakes on each side of the trailer as it senses trailer sway. It isn't actually pushing your trailer back in line, but working more like the sway control feature on most new trucks.
Also, you will have a hard time finding a decent weight distribution with sway control setup for your trailer due to the straight tongue. Most systems require an A-frame tongue. There are some pole tongue adapters out there for weight distribution systems, but they aren't as effective and don't work well with sway control.
For your setup, I'd keep the airbags on the truck to help with sag and add the Hayes Sway Master to help with trailer sway. One more thing to note, I'd recommend checking your tongue weight if possible. If you can get your tongue weight to be approximately 10 percent of your gross trailer weight, that will really help with trailer sway. You can find your weights at a drive-on scale if you have one near you, but we also have our own tongue weight scale that we designed, # e99044.
Products Referenced in This Question
etrailer Tongue Weight Scale for Campers and Utility Trailers - 2,000-lb Capacity
- Tongue Weight Scale
- Analog Scale
- 2000 lbs
- etrailer
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Curt True Course Advanced Bluetooth Trailer Sway Control - 1 to 4 Axles
- Weight Distribution Hitch
- Sway Control Only
- Severe Sway
- CURT
more information >
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