Is Factory Sway Control on a Ford Truck Good Enough for Towing a Trailer

Question

Question:

own a 2013 ford super duty with the factory sway control. will this replace having to buy a sway control with my weight distribution hitch? if I also buy a sway control with my hitch, will I just leave the ford system turned off?

asked by: Steven

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Expert Reply:

The built-in sway control on your 2013 Ford truck works by apply the brake or more or less power to one side of the vehicle to correct a sway condition when detected. This is a passive system and will only engage when swaying already has started.

If you used a Strait-Line system like # RP66083 the dual-cam sway control works as an active system. It will keep the truck and trailer in a straight line which stops sway before it starts. You could technically have the Ford system on with this type of sway control installed but I recommend turning it off for any trailer mount sway control.

I have included a link to our FAQ article on weight distribution and sway control for you. I have also included a link to determining tongue weight. This is essential in choosing the correct capacity system for your trailer. The tongue weight consists of the tongue weight of the trailer when loaded and ready to tow plus the weight of anything loaded behind the rear axle of the truck.

System # RP66083 is rated for 400 to 800 pounds tongue weight so if your total tongue weight falls in the middle of that range it would be the ideal system. You would just need to add a properly sized ball, # A-90 for a 2 inch or # 19286 for a 2-5/16 inch.

expert reply by: Michael H

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Answer 1

Weight distribution heads are adjustable to get the spring bars level or just below level with the trailer frame. Depending on the trailer frame, the head may need to be set at 90 degrees, it also may need to be tilted down as far as possible to keep…

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Answer 2

The difference between the plate and fin style, #D13504, and the tube and fin style cooler, #D12904, is that the plate and fin models can cool better than the tube and fin models. You will notice that plate and fin coolers with the same rating as…

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Answer 3

For a weight distribution system, there are always exceptions,but in general the systems with only bars and chains do not have sway control. They are adjustable in tension for different weight, but are a little more work. The bar systems whether…

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Answer 4

Sounds like you have a friction sway control weight distribution (WD) system like the Reese Steadi-Flex #RP66561 or the Equal-i-zer #EQ37140ET. Pretty much all sway control setups use friction and that's what those loud popping and creaking…

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Answer 5

If your Expedition and trailer both sit level with the Blue Ox SwayPro Weight Distribution System #BXW1000 installed, you shouldn't need to adjust anything on the chains or head to further limit sway, as the sway control is essentially built into…

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Answer 6

If you are backing up in a mostly straight line the #RP66083 can be left connected. If you are going to make any tight turns you'd need to disconnect the spring bars.

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Answer 7

I do have some things that you can adjust on the Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System but I will say this is a common compliant with the late model Ford F-150's. The weight distribution system could very well be setup properly as well as the…

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Answer 8

With your Blue Ox SwayPro Weight Distribution w/ Sway Control #BXW1500 the rough ride and bucking could be from a couple of variables. If you have weight behind the rear axle of your truck, you may need a larger weight distribution system because…

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Answer 9

You can certainly use the Reese #83660 sway control kit on both sides of your trailer A-frame. There's a couple of ways to do this, but the most simple way would be to use your existing ball mount, and have a #C45822 sway control tab welded on…

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Answer 10

Rain gutters on an enclosed trailer will be located at the tops of the two sides of the trailer very near the roof. The gutters are essentially concave tracks that run from front to back. If you check your trailer roof where it meets the side panels…

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Answer 11

Yes, you can use the Reese Friction Sway control part #83660 without a weight distribution system. You would just need to use the tab part #RP26003 on the ball mount as well.

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Answer 12

Both the Old Style Head #BXW4011 with the latches and New Style Head #BLU54XR which uses the Pins #BLU72FR have the castor in the head to help prevent sway.

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