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06-21-2018, 08:25 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Hutto, TX
Posts: 19
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Sway control hitch vs turning/reversing
I've been doing a bit of reading on the WD hitches and sway control systems and can't really wrap my head around how sway control can't interfere with turning and reversing. I can see how normal driving would be fine, but once you arrive at the camp and need to make some tighter turns to get situated, wouldn't the sway control be a hinderance?
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06-22-2018, 04:27 AM
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#2
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 37
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Sway control hitch vs turning/reversing
The sway control on some hitches have to be disconnected or disengaged to back up. On other hitches such as ProPride and Hensley, the sway control is an function of the hitch and does not have to be nor can it be disengaged. It has no hindrance on backing up or sharp turns.
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06-22-2018, 05:07 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Palm Coast Florida
Posts: 12,995
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I am not sure anyone can say 'No' hindrance. There has to be at least some hindrance as there is friction....correct?
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06-22-2018, 05:21 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 35,317
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The sway control hitch, I had, was a cam lock system.
The sway control was only locked in, while going straight, as in highway travel.
In cornering and backing, which are at slow speeds, the cams would be quickly forced to unlock and revert to standard weight distributing functions.
The friction type are tightened enough to limit sway but not lock the tow and trailer into one straight piece.
You may need to release the friction if backing on really soft ground but in most situations, the friction bar will slide.
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06-22-2018, 07:37 AM
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#5
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 37
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tuffr2
I am not sure anyone can say 'No' hindrance. There has to be at least some hindrance as there is friction....correct?
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No there is not. Neither the Hensley or ProPride have any friction devices.
Check it out. https://www.propridehitch.com
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06-22-2018, 09:24 AM
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#6
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: HillBilly country, Smokey Mtns
Posts: 4,171
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Perrien
I've been doing a bit of reading on the WD hitches and sway control systems and can't really wrap my head around how sway control can't interfere with turning and reversing. I can see how normal driving would be fine, but once you arrive at the camp and need to make some tighter turns to get situated, wouldn't the sway control be a hinderance?
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There are at least 4 classes of WD hitches. 1] Cheap. 2] Normal. 3] Good. 4] Great but expensive.
1]. Don't buy a cheap hitch. If it uses sway bars for sway control, or has no built-in sway control, it's a cheap hitch. Some are available online for less than $300. Those are the hitches you have heard about that must be disconnected before backing the trailer. Most cheap WD hitches can do a decent job of weight distribution, but have inadequate sway control.
2]. Most WD hitches fall into the "normal" price class - around $300 to $500. Most of the decent WD hitches from Reese, Husky, and Curt WD hitches. No problem backing up or turning tight, but not as effective at sway control as the better hitches. Not good enough for me. If you have ever experienced uncontrollable trailer sway, you'll pay a lot to be sure it never happens again.
3]. The good WD hitches with good built-in sway control cost more than normal WD hitches. Reese makes one called the StraitLine. Husky makes one called the Centerline HD 31390. The "industry standard" for good WD hitches with good built-in sway control include the Blue Ox Swaypro and the Equal-I-Zer. Those sell for around $500 to $700 from discount hitch sources, and list for about $700 to $1,000 complete. By "complete", I mean including the adjustable shank and the spring bars. The StraitLine is available without a shank, but you have to have a shank, so pay attention to details. The Husky Centerline HD 31390 is the head and shank only, without the spring bars. But you have to have the spring bars, so order the correct spring bars for the max tongue weight (TW) of your wet and loaded trailer when you order the head.
4]. At the top of the line in sway control effectiveness are the very expensive hitches designed by Jim Hensley. The original Hensley Arrow has been available for several years, and has been superceded by the ProPride, but is still available. The redesigned and updated Hensley ProPride has now been available for a few years. By very expensive, I mean almost $3,000, or 4 or 5 times the discounted cost of a Strait-Line or other good WD hitch.
https://www.propridehitch.com/propri...control-hitch/
I tow my TT with a ProPride. I tow my cargo trailer with a StraitLine. I'm not sure the ProPride is worth 4 times the cost of my StraitLine, but I have no worry about uncontrollable trailer sway when towing my TT across the country. I estimate the StraitLine will handle about 99% of all sway-causing conditions. The ProPride increased that to around 99.99%. That's about as close to perfect as you can expect.
__________________
Grumpy ole man with over 60 years towing experience. Now my heaviest trailer is a 7'x16' 5,000-pound flatbed utility trailer, my tow vehicle is a 2019 F-150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost SuperCab with Max Tow (1,904 pounds payload capacity).
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06-22-2018, 09:35 AM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 37
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Sway control hitch vs turning/reversing
Quote:
Originally Posted by SmokeyWren
There are at least 4 classes of WD hitches. 1] Cheap. 2] Normal. 3] Good. 4] Great but expensive.
1]. Don't buy a cheap hitch. If it uses sway bars for sway control, or has no built-in sway control, it's a cheap hitch. Some are available online for less than $300. Those are the hitches you have heard about that must be disconnected before backing the trailer. Most cheap WD hitches can do a decent job of weight distribution, but have inadequate sway control.
2]. Most WD hitches fall into the "normal" price class - around $300 to $500. Most of the decent WD hitches from Reese, Husky, and Curt WD hitches. No problem backing up or turning tight, but not as effective at sway control as the better hitches. Not good enough for me. If you have ever experienced uncontrollable trailer sway, you'll pay a lot to be sure it never happens again.
3]. The good WD hitches with good built-in sway control cost more than normal WD hitches. Reese makes one called the StraitLine. Husky makes one called the Centerline HD 31390. The "industry standard" for good WD hitches with good built-in sway control include the Blue Ox Swaypro and the Equal-I-Zer. Those sell for around $500 to $700 from discount hitch sources, and list for about $700 to $1,000 complete. By "complete", I mean including the adjustable shank and the spring bars. The StraitLine is available without a shank, but you have to have a shank, so pay attention to details. The Husky Centerline HD 31390 is the head and shank only, without the spring bars. But you have to have the spring bars, so order the correct spring bars for the max tongue weight (TW) of your wet and loaded trailer when you order the head.
4]. At the top of the line in sway control effectiveness are the very expensive hitches designed by Jim Hensley. The original Hensley Arrow has been available for several years, and has been superceded by the ProPride, but is still available. The redesigned and updated Hensley ProPride has now been available for a few years. By very expensive, I mean almost $3,000, or 4 or 5 times the discounted cost of a Strait-Line or other good WD hitch.
https://www.propridehitch.com/propri...control-hitch/
I tow my TT with a ProPride. I tow my cargo trailer with a StraitLine. I'm not sure the ProPride is worth 4 times the cost of my StraitLine, but I have no worry about uncontrollable trailer sway when towing my TT across the country. I estimate the StraitLine will handle about 99% of all sway-causing conditions. The ProPride increased that to around 99.99%. That's about as close to perfect as you can expect.
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I concur. Please note that it is wise to do your own research. I am sure Smokey did his before plunking down 3 grand.... actually more by the time you add the extension chain and cord kit and a set of covers for the hitch to protect the $3K plus investment you just made. Also note that the PP 3P is the only WD/Sway control I have ever used. Expensive? Yes. Payoff is I have total peace of mind.
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06-22-2018, 09:48 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Oregon
Posts: 6,596
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I used an Equalizer with 4 pt friction sway control for 2.5 years and about 10,000 miles. Never once did it hinder turning or backing up.
I also used a Hensley Arrow for one season. It too never hindered any part of towing.
On our 1st TT I used a friction plate that attaches to the two small balls, one on the WDH and the other on the TT tongue. It was supposed to be unhooked when backing up. I only did so when backing up and needing to turn real sharp.
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06-22-2018, 11:06 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Thor Owners Club KZ RV Club
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Central, Arkansas
Posts: 325
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We’ve used the Equal-I-zer with our TT for 3 years and over 10,000 miles. Never have had a problem with it while backing up. IMHO it’s the way to go, but as you see, others have their favorites too.
Do your research, read customer reviews and make your decision on what feels right for your application.
__________________
2018 Thor Freedom Elite 30 FE
2019 GMC Canyon Denali (current toad)
2004 Jeep Liberty (retired Toad)
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06-22-2018, 03:44 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: DeLand, FL
Posts: 8,936
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Our Blue Ox works great. No hindrance backing. the bars swivel in the hitch head.
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