Ford's electronic sway control VS Blueox sway bars

[Vitaver]

The F350 (2017) comes with electronic sway control for the trailer. It can't be used in combination with the sway control bars the Blueox offers so one has to chose one or the other. Anyone with knowledge of what is best? Thank you.

[Tincampers]

If you don't need weight distribution then get an Airsafe and ditch the BO. There is no way to turn off the sway control on the hitch.

[Countryboy59]

I have TSC on my F350 and also use a friction sway device. TSC is a traction control system. I also have WD bars. Haven't tried to turn off traction control or TSC, not sure if it's possible. Ask a dealer.

Sometimes I tow without WD or the sway device. no issues with or without. My trailer is a 19', however.

[Adventure.AS]

On my tow vehicle (not Ford), the sway control function of my Eaz Lift weight distribution system is provided Husky friction sway control and it should not effect the trailer sway control (TSC) feature on the TV. The TSC feature on my TV applies the brakes once it senses trailer sway. A weight distribution system with sway control will actually help because it will correct the trailer sway before the TV senses it, which will help reduce the workload on your brakes and on the sway control feature. Does your manual actually specify not to use both?

[ShinyPete]

Vitaver-

We have used both a 2013 and a 2105 F150 to tow our Pete (same coach as yours), first with a Blue Ox 1k/10k, and now with a ProPride hitch system. I know the 2015 F150 has the "electronic sway control" of which you speak (and I think the '13 did too), and I assume it is the same setup as on your new F350. Did you read "don't use a sway control hitch" in the manual, or hear it from a dealer rep? Two different things obviously.

Well, my opinion is that I want a weight distribution/sway control hitch system. And if Ford is "monitoring" for sway and if it detects any and begins to brake a wheel or wheels to slow/stop a sway condition, fine. But I still want the mechanical advantages of the hitch system, especially with our softer-sprung F150. But that's just me. And now I don't know if I'm even helping with your question.

But I do hope that our experience is somewhat helpful.

[HowieE]

Originally Posted by Adventure.AS

The TSC feature on my TV applies the brakes once it senses trailer sway.

You mention your system applies the brakes. Which brakes the truck o thr trailer. Historically the correction for sway was to apply the trailer brakes while maintaining or advancing the accelerator on the TV. The worst thing you could do was to apply the TV brakes. Have we redefined the laws of physics?

[franklyfrank]

Originally Posted by Tincampers

If you don't need weight distribution then get an Airsafe and ditch the BO. There is no way to turn off the sway control on the hitch.

We have a 2012 F-150 Eco. The feature can be turned of in settings. On ours I have to do it every time I restart the truck but my understanding is that this has been corrected by Ford on later models.
I will find out, we are picking up our 2017 F-250 tomorrow.

[clarklaflare]

Isn't the purpose of the vehicles electronic sway control feature to mitigate trailer sway that an anti-sway hitch is supposed to limit or prevent from occurring in the first place?

[rvb]

Propride type hitch - prevents sway from starting.

Friction sway control - reduces the chance of sway by resistance to movement.

Tow Vehicle electronic sway control - reacts after sway is occurring and at the least effective point, on the tow vehicle instead of the trailer axle. Another point to consider with using only the TV sway/traction feature is the potential wear on the TV brakes and\or overheating, particularly on a long downhill grade if it is constantly making corrections.

I do not trust the TV sway control alone so I have 2 friction sway controls and leave my Truck electronic sway/traction controls on. I find it works well for my set up. I have only seen the traction/sway indicator come on for slippery conditions, never for sway.

My 2 cents worth, I would use both the electronics of the truck and a sway control hitch.

[Adventure.AS]

Originally Posted by HowieE

You mention your system applies the brakes. Which brakes the truck o thr trailer. Historically the correction for sway was to apply the trailer brakes while maintaining or advancing the accelerator on the TV. The worst thing you could do was to apply the TV brakes. Have we redefined the laws of physics?

It doesn't apply all of the brakes at once, but rather wheel-by-wheel, as the computer determines how best to control the sway. I presume that it is based on algorithms and inertial sensors in the TV. The only indication that the driver has that the computer has sensed trailer sway is when the TSC illuminates on the dash, but blink and you'll miss it. I guess the automotive engineers have tamed physics with computers rather than a redefinition. I'm not sure which wheels have the brakes applied or in what order in TSC, but, for example, with the electronic traction control on my 4 wheel drive, the computer will apply braking to only the wheel that is slipping, effectively providing more torque to the wheel that has traction. I have seen this in action and it is amazing that a computer can provide nearly the control that previously required a limited slip or locking differential.

Amazing engineering in modern vehicles. Heck, even airliners have been able to land themselves for years now and tests are under way for self driving cars and trucks. I guess that the new technology requires re-training our minds so that old habits and pre-conceived notions won't compound the problem that the vehicle computer is trying to correct.

[TomKirk]

Sway control is a function of computer controlled ABS (brakes). When ABS malfunctions, you lose sway control.

Choose sway bars. Nothing beats old school. You'll be glad you did.

BTW - I suppose sway control is OK for pulling the occasional trailer over short distances on (relatively) flat road surfaces. Other than that, I wouldn't trust it.

Tom

[Tincampers]

The Blue Ox does not use friction to control sway.

The sway control on the Silverado can apply trailer brakes in addition to other TV actions.

[Tom_T]

Vitaver,

I don't know what Ford may have changed on their built-in anti-sway system, but I've been renting Ford F150 & F250 pickups for 3-5x trips per year since 7/2012 with 2012-2016 MY trucks from Enterprise Commercial to tow our 1960 Avion T20 (yes I know, waaay overkill on the TV), with a Hensley Cub, & there have been zero conflicts between the trucks' internal AS (engaged when the tow/haul mode pressed on the shift lever), & our Hensley 3P WD/AS hitch.

The Hensley & ProPride AS integral as well, so it cannot be disengaged.

You should double check with someone at Ford's technical staff who knows about their latest tow/AS system to verify that you can use an AS hitch or not, & why it would be necessary to only use one if so.

The 2 should be able to work together as a belt & suspenders solution.

Cheers!
Tom
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[JCWDCW]

Quote ADVENTURE AS" I'm not sure which wheels have the brakes applied or in what order in TSC, but, for example, with the electronic traction control on my 4 wheel drive, the computer will apply braking to only the wheel that is slipping, effectively providing more torque to the wheel that has traction. I have seen this in action and it is amazing that a computer can provide nearly the control that previously required a limited slip or locking differential."

We all used the parking brake to apply some braking back in the 70s which slowed or stopped the spinning wheel and let the traction wheel take over. Obviously braking only the slipping wheel is more effective, but the idea is not new.
JCW