Trailer anti-sway system?

R

raco_guy

New member
well, took my new trailer for it's first long distance trip. Between the high cross winds and passing/being passed by semis and other trucks/trailers, I noticed my trailer likes to sway when getting hit with the air being pushed between other vehicles. Anybody have any luck with utilizing anti sway system on their truck/trailers? If so what type/brand etc? Any info would be appreciated? Easy to install myself? Anything I need to be concerned with like the lenghth of the tongue of the trailer? In realation to the jack, brake controller?

Info on towing set up:

Trailer:
29' NEO inline trailer, tandem axle, tandem brakes with brake controller.
Had five sleds in the trailer-weight equally distributed with a little more towards the front.

Tow Vehicle:
Chev Avalanche, half ton, Z-71 5.3L
Vehicle has new shocks all around, good tires, etc.

It wasn't "excessive", and was manageable on dry roads, but would be a little concerned passing a semi or other trailer if the roads weren't the best. Thanks for your help.
 
R

Rupp Collector

Active member
I had one of those trailers once that was always moving. On dry roads I used the anti-sway control from my travel trailer. Not recommended in slippery conditions though, you'll never get er back if you lose it on the ice.
I found the only way to get rid of the sway entirely was to sell the trailer, which I did. Good luck
 
D

Dave_B

Active member
I would invest in a load leveling system and an anti sway bar. The same style they use on travel trailers. I have a Draw Tite system on mine but there are ton of different brands. You should be able to get an entire used system for around $300. Keep an eye on craigslist. I see them on there all the time.

Dave
 
P

Polarice

New member
I have an anti sway kit on our HiLo camper. It's about 19' long. I tow with a 2010 Tundra with a 5.7l. It was on the camper when I bought it and I don't know if it would really help or not with my truck. The guy we bought the camper from had a Ranger with a v6 so he bought the anti sway.

Sounds like what someone else said about slippery conditions may be reason enough not to get it. Better solution is to just buy a place where you ride and keep your sleds there ;)
 
T

Team Elkhorn

Guest
Alot of times when a trailer is swaying like that it means you dont have enough weight forward of the axles. (Or too much weight at the back). Try moving more of the weight to the front of the trailer to see if that helps.
 
W

wolfriver

New member
I own a ledgead trailer and looked into one but the tongue on the trailer is just one bar and the anti-sway kits use a v-tongue like the one for my travel trailer. I try to put more weight forward and it seems to help.
 
R

raco_guy

New member
couple of things to note:
1) I had the trailer loaded properly, with a little more weight on the front of the trailer. I did have some sag in the back of the truck, but not too much.

2) The trailer tracks straight under normal towing, even at 70+mph, the issue is when there are gusts of cross winds and when I pass other big vehicles or am being passed, it seems as if the trailer first gets "sucked in" and then blown out, causing the trailer to sway and the vehicle to veer left and right.

3) my trailer does not have a very long tongue and I don't know if a weight distribution or anti sway hitch is a possiblity?

4) The other "issue" I am finding out after some investigating is my my Avalanche (like other full size SUV's) are more prone to trailer sway bc of the rear coil suspension vs. standard truck axle and leaf spring. Anybody else have a large inline trailer they tow with an Avalanche that could offer some advice?

Thanks again for all your input!
 
D

Dave_B

Active member
That's a big trailer to pull with that truck. If you can get the load lever and anti sway set up, it should make a huge difference.

I would go to an RV dealer and see what they would suggest. They will charge you a fortune but, if you get the right advice and options for your setup, try to find them used.

JMO

Dave
 
T

Team Elkhorn

Guest
What does the trailer manufacturer recommended for tongue weight? Most recommend 15- 20% of the gross weight of the trailer, (trailer and sleds combined). You can use your wife's bathroom scale, (while shes not looking):D, under your trailer jack and see what you come up with. It will get you close, anyway. I think you'll be surprised, by just moving the sleds a little bit forward, even a few inches, will add to the tongue weight. It might be enough to take out the crosswind sway, it might not. Either way it wont cost you anything to find out. Its worth a try before you start spending money on the problem.
 
F

F8SnoPro

New member
Had a similar problem with my Jeep Grand Cherokee. Used a load equalizing hitch (reese) with a friction sway control and it was a new set up. I'm not sure about the ice and recovery there probably is some truth to that but if your not getting out of control from sway problem solved.
 
R

rp7x

Well-known member
re balance

how many of the sleds are facing back? a big trailer has to have a lot of tounge wt , your close but need more
 
harski

harski

Member
raco, I have the exact issues with mine too. I'm pulling a true 27' x 7.5 with an 04 Suburban. I try to put the weight on the tounge too but haven't noticed it to improve. There was another thread that had talked about air bags for sag and it may help for stability too. I'm going to try this for now to see how it works.

The only other thing you could look into is tire rating. An LT tire will be more stable than a P rated tire. I just put P rated ones on last year that I wish now I would of reconsidered at the time. It is what it is... I think there will always be a "sway" as long as the V is on the front of the trailer. It just something to get used to with these trailers.

harski
 
A

amazza76

New member
I agree that you can resolve much of your problem adjusting tongue weight. Also make sure the tongue is level when hitched. If its elevated, get a lower hitch ball.
 
R

raco_guy

New member
will, I've been doing ALOT of research online, and it looks like dealing with sway vs. load leveling are usually two separate systems. If you want a combined system, the main three out there seem to be Equalizer ($450), Hensley ($3000) or ProPride P3 ($2500), but as you can see they can be pretty pricey. Yes, we can make the arguement that we can't put a price on safety.....

I am going to the RV dealer today to find out what the "experts" recommend. My findings are that any system that utilizes a friction system (Reese, Draw Tite, etc.) will be significantly impacted by wet driving conditions, and will also limit ability if you do lose it while going down the road. I will see what the RV dealer suggests and post. In the meantime, I will try to load the sleds differently. I have noticed that it does sway less when there are 3 sleds in it vs. 5, but for obvious reasons once you get more weight going back and forth you tend to feel it more??? Thaks for the ideas and info. Think Snow.....this season is gonna be a short one at best!
 
F

fredster

New member
Upgrading your AV's tires to LT's will reduce tire squirm and help with the sway - much thicker sidewalls. Adding airbags at the rear to keep it level will help too. I did both of these to my 1998 1/2 Ton Chevy truck and even though I already had weight distributing hitch and sway control, making these changes "firmed up" the truck and it handled my large trailer much better.

Also if your trailer doesn't have radial tires that will help too, upgraded my inline trailer from bias ply to radial and it definitely is more stable than before.

If you're pulling a 29 footer with a 1/2 ton anything don't skimp on the safety features - you need'em.
 
D

Dave_B

Active member
raco_guy said:
will, I've been doing ALOT of research online, and it looks like dealing with sway vs. load leveling are usually two separate systems. If you want a combined system, the main three out there seem to be Equalizer ($450), Hensley ($3000) or ProPride P3 ($2500), but as you can see they can be pretty pricey. Yes, we can make the arguement that we can't put a price on safety.....

I am going to the RV dealer today to find out what the "experts" recommend. My findings are that any system that utilizes a friction system (Reese, Draw Tite, etc.) will be significantly impacted by wet driving conditions, and will also limit ability if you do lose it while going down the road. I will see what the RV dealer suggests and post. In the meantime, I will try to load the sleds differently. I have noticed that it does sway less when there are 3 sleds in it vs. 5, but for obvious reasons once you get more weight going back and forth you tend to feel it more??? Thaks for the ideas and info. Think Snow.....this season is gonna be a short one at best!
Click to expand...

Remember, the dealer is going to sell you the most expensive setup they can. There are cheaper options out there. Just get an idea for the specs they suggest and look around. Like I said before, I see them for sale all the time on craigslist.

Dave
 
T

tyeeman

New member
Yep I would agree as previous mentioned that your trailer is a big trailer for your truck. My 01 Sub basically has the same suspension as your Avalanch and I wouldn't want to tow my 25' Legend with it, , not very long anyway and I don't even have any sway to speak of.
The original shocks on your Avalanch probably were self leveling shocks, either via air pressure or they had a self leveling shock, that should take care of any sag. If the exact shock was not used when you replaced them your load leveling went out the window.
Also agree as previously mentioned about upgrading tires. Install a set of 10 ply LT tires, that way you can jack up your rear tire pressure to 80, maybe run your front at 65, , that will help alot.
If all that doesn't work, upgrade to a 3/4 ton 4-door, , longer wheel base, way more stable. There is a night and day difference towing with the wifes Burb and towinig with my 3/4 ton 4-door. I'll take my truck any day.
Good Luck.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top