Trailer Sway

[Phil Perrin]

Pammi and I really love our new TT. Wish we could take it out more!
But one thing that bothers us is the trailer sway when being passed by semis! I try to move over when I see them coming up, but it still sucks the trailer over.
And I'm nowhere close to being over on the weight. The TT is just under 4000 pounds and my '17 F150 has a tow rating of 7500.
Do I need a sway bar? Or is it just something to deal with?
Thanks in advance!

[W5CI]

Yes you need a WDH, get the Equalizer brand 4-Point. when set up properly it will end your sway problems.

[aether_one]

What's your tongue weight? Should be at least 400 to 600 lbs.

If it is then get a weight distribution hitch system with cam-lock anti-sway.

[6Kampers]

Tongue weight increase & Equalizer 4 ..... if you have sag, airbags on F150

[Dropthejacks]

#1 Thank you for your service to this great Nation!!

You should be using a sway bar, as recommended above. I will just add that even with the sway bar, when going side by side with a semi it will suck you in on one end and shove you away on the other. The sway bar will help, a little. But it will still happen, just physics. You just get used to it and, when you expect it, its no big thing. But yes, get the sway bar.

[lynnmor]

Does the truck have LT tires? Are you inflating them to near maximum? Are the trailer tires inflated to maximum sidewall pressure?

[Phil Perrin]

Thanks for the speedy replies! I think next spring I'll get a sway bar and see how that does. Maybe a WDH if needed after that!

[Dropthejacks]

Originally Posted by Phil Perrin

Thanks for the speedy replies! I think next spring I'll get a sway bar and see how that does. Maybe a WDH if needed after that!

Didn't realize from your initial post you were rolling without the WDH . You need BOTH! Especially with your set up. I feel you are OK with a 7500 lb tow rating and pulling 4K. You probably need to get on the scales to make sure you are right at some point but you have enough of a safety margin there. But yes, please get the WDH AND sway bar, or buy a WDH that has the sway reduction built in. You won't believe the difference it will make!!

[Phil Perrin]

Do you think just the sway bar would help?

[Campering]

Not sure what type travel trailer you have but I am guessing it is a bumper pull,
If so, much of what you are describing can be improved on greatly by doing the following three things:

1. Inflate tires on tow vehicle to at least max psi. (reduces sidewall deflection
when side pressure from passing vehicles happens)

2. Add air bags or weight distribution hitch to limit hitch drop when hooking up
travel trailer to no more than two inches. (tow vehicle needs to run level)

3. Be certain there is at least 350 to 400 pounds hitch weight and the trailer
runs level to slightly high at the hitch when ready to travel. ( low hitch
height makes the front trailer axle the pivot point, higher hitch height
moves pivot point to rear trailer axle = much less sway)

[Dropthejacks]

Originally Posted by Phil Perrin

Do you think just the sway bar would help?

I think it would be one of those "better than nothing" fixes. The 1/2 ton pickups these days are built to ride smooth and soft, more like a passenger car than a truck. So even though you're only pulling a 4K lb TT, it has to be pushing down on the rear of your truck and making you tail-heavy. I think the WDH will make a huge difference in your ride by getting your front end down level and putting you more in control of the vehicle. You're only looking at $200-$300, which is money well spent. I'd get one heavier than I need, so if you upgrade to a bigger TT in the future, you can keep using it down the road.

[Badlands Bob]

Originally Posted by Phil Perrin

Pammi and I really love our new TT. Wish we could take it out more!
The TT is just under 4000 pounds and my '17 F150 has a tow rating of 7500.

7500 lbs? That's the lowest tow rating on a late model F-150 I have seen. Most of them are 9,000 lbs or more. Get a 4 point Equal-i-zer hitch and your sway problems will be a thing of the past. Amazon has them for around $500 with free shipping.

[aether_one]

Originally Posted by Phil Perrin

Thanks for the speedy replies! I think next spring I'll get a sway bar and see how that does. Maybe a WDH if needed after that!

Can't get a cam-lock sway bar without a WD hitch. It's an integrated system.

Friction sway bars are almost worthless.

[Phil Perrin]

Badlands Bob, I got a 2.7 Ecoboost for fuel economy. No idea I was going to buy an RV 4 months later!
And I will be getting a WDH with sway control next spring! We are doing one last trip next week. Short trip, only about 2 1/2 hours away. Pretty sure we'll be fine for that!