Sway Question

[ROBERT CROSS]

There is definately a cause/effect with tires and unstable towing, not to be overlooked.

You would think that Ford would consider the KR a "truck", but most mfgr scimp the same way.

Bob

[dkottum]

Originally Posted by Hoonanea

My TV is a Ford Expedition with the same built in anti-sway control. It was a white knuckle experience the first time I towed the trailer home. I then contacted the very experienced dealer that did the set-up of the anti sway hitch, brake controller, and calibration. They looked into a few things then called back advising me to turn OFF the Ford anti sway feature. They said it was not designed to work with anti sway/WD hitches like my Blue Ox system. The two systems fight each other. The friction system of the hitch says "go this way" and the Ford system detects that friction as sway and says "no, go that way".

It's as if the two together create sway. I turn mine off (before reaching highway speed or you have to slow down to disengage it) and it's been as smooth as can be since then. Has anyone else experienced this with Ford's anti sway?

The RV dealer said Ford's system was designed for towing boats or utility trailers where a WD/anti sway hitch would not be involved.

The Ford website uses an Airstream trailer for their sway control demonstration video:

2013 Ford F-150 Pickup Truck | More Powerful, Capable & Advanced. | Ford.com

I wonder if this RV dealer is passing out bad information, maybe just passing the buck?

Almost all people pulling an Airstream with a late model Ford are using the tow vehicle's electronic sway control together with a sway control hitch. If what the RV dealer says is true, it should be a universal problem. Is it?

doug

[ROBERT CROSS]

I saw that video and wondered the same thing...I couldn't tell if they were using any hitch sway control on the AS though.
On the some of the other work truck vid's it was pretty clear they were not.

It is very effective once engaged.

Bob

[dznf0g]

I would be very surprised if the AS dealer's statement is correct. I can't fathom why Ford's system would behave any differently than the rest.

[ROBERT CROSS]

After reading more about the system on the Ford sites, my takeaway is....get your hitch, sway control and WD set-up properly and you may never see the sway DIC light come on.

I believe one statement is correct...it is primarily intended for commercial/work users who are not usually inclined to pay much attention to sway and how their hitched.

Bob