Sway Control Recommendation for a 7,500 Pound Premier Travel Trailer and Dodge Ram 1500

Question:

We have just ordered a new Premier 30foot RL travel trailer. The TW loaded is anticipated to be about 800-850# and the trailer should not exceed 7,500#. We plan to pull it with my Dodge Ram 1500 5.7 Hemi with a 3.92 rear end. In our purchase we specified a Reese Dual Cam Hitch and want to know what matching Reese Sway Control you recommend. Safety and driving comfort are the most imprortant factors to consider. Ease of backing into a space would be next. Im afraid our dealer wants to use his standard sway control on one side he said thats all we need but I want to know what youd do if you were pulling the trailer.

asked by: David M

Expert Reply:

A couple of things you need to know about weight distribution. First if you ordered a Reese system with dual cams then it should come with dual-cam sway control. If it is a Strait-Line system, that is what they come with. Make sure that you are getting what you are paying for.

Also make sure that the tongue weight capacity of the system is rated high enough. If the tongue weight is 800 or so pounds, then do not forget to add to that the weight of anything loaded behind the rear axle of the tow vehicle. So lets say the tongue weight when loaded and ready to tow stays at 800 pounds. I would go with a system rated for 600 to 1,200 pounds like # RP66130 with shank # RP54970 (has maximum 2 inch drop or 6-1/2 inch rise) and ball # C40030.

For the best performance and ease of backing up dual-cam is the way to go. With a friction bar style, you would have to disconnect it to reverse or during bad weather but with dual-cam you do not. Also for a trailer weighing over 6,000 pounds, we recommend using 2 friction bars (if you were to go that route) because just one would be ineffective.

Definitely go with the dual-cam. If the system you ordered does not include it then it can be added using # RP26002 that you have referenced but only if the spring bars have the hooked end like in the instructions and video I have linked. I have also linked our FAQ article on weight distribution and sway control for you.