Community Forums

Maureen499 · 08-05-2021, 06:38 AM

We purchased a travel trailer to tow with our 2021 Chevy Tahoe. The dealer installed an EZ-lift ReCurve sway control hitch and handed us a warning tag that says you must disable tow vehicle’s electronic sway control when a hitch with built in sway control is in use. Our Tahoe keeps turning the ESC back on around 30 mph. We can’t get it to permanently stay off. Any ideas or thoughts are appreciated.

Badjuju · 08-05-2021, 07:26 AM

Not familiar with the Chevy systems, but on my Ford F150, there are two "sway" control systems: the main one that is operable all the time above ~25 MPH is the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) which can be disabled using the Driver Assist Menu on the instrument cluster but that automatically turns back on above the set speed; the other is the Trailer Sway Control, which is accessed in Driver Assist Menu but is located under the Trailer/Tow menu, and that option does NOT come back on at a set speed. It does reactivate after each key off/on cycle and can only be be turned off when the vehicle is stationary, so must be deactivated prior to starting off each time.

If I had to make a WAG, I'd say your Chevy may be similar but you should be able to find that information in your Owners Manual.

Maureen499 · 08-05-2021, 08:12 AM

Thanks. That’s exactly how the Chevy is working. Automatically turns back on ESC at 35 mph. My sway control hitch says that it needs to be permanently turned off and I cant seem to be able to do that.

move on · 08-05-2021, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maureen499

We purchased a travel trailer to tow with our 2021 Chevy Tahoe. The dealer installed an EZ-lift ReCurve sway control hitch and handed us a warning tag that says you must disable tow vehicle’s electronic sway control when a hitch with built in sway control is in use. Our Tahoe keeps turning the ESC back on around 30 mph. We can’t get it to permanently stay off. Any ideas or thoughts are appreciated.

I would not disable the electronic sway control system. The ESC not only activates to stop sway, but it protects you in other situations such as oversteer. ESC has proven to be very effective in preventing accidents and it has been required in all cars since 2013. I would return the hitch to the dealer and ask for a hitch that does not interfere with the ESC.

Wileykid · 08-05-2021, 01:05 PM

I would be interested in why they are saying to disable the electronic sway control. It doesn't do anything until the sway gets to a certain point. If the EZ-lift allows the sway to get to that point, than there is something wrong with the EZ-lift (or your loading), and although I should be able to correct it, if the truck helps, I am good with it.

TravelSolo · 08-05-2021, 08:41 PM

I have the same EZ Lift stand-alone sway control bar and I have the same notice. However I don't turn off the Stabilitrak (which is the system the ESC is built into). Neither when I towed with my Tahoe, nor now with my 2500HD

This is because the EZ Lift bar is made to prevent sway from starting in the first place and the Stabilitrak is designed to stop it once it starts and the ECM recognizes it is happening. The ECM will simply do the same thing you should be doing as a driver if sway starts. Let off the throttle and apply the brakes lightly.

I'm thinking it is a purely a way to offset liability if there is a sway induced crash

tigahb8 · 08-08-2021, 07:19 PM

I found that when trailer sway was activated in my 2017 F150 towing a 36-foot travel trailer it would tend to try and correct the steering when you went around slight curves, felt like the trailer was pushing the truck, with it off no problems at all, I think it is designed for trailers with no sway control.

madkiwi · 09-16-2021, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigahb8

I found that when trailer sway was activated in my 2017 F150 towing a 36-foot travel trailer it would tend to try and correct the steering when you went around slight curves, felt like the trailer was pushing the truck, with it off no problems at all, I think it is designed for trailers with no sway control.

No sway control systems do anything to steering, they just apply the brakes on one side to counter the sway. You might feel it and interpret it as steering correction, but afaik that is not happening.