Blue Ox...Clamp on or bolt on?

[cajohnson]

I've pretty much decided to go with a Blue Ox hitch for our 19' Flying Cloud. Does anyone know for sure if I can use the clamp on or would I have to go with the bolt on model?
Thanks...

[HowieE]

You can clamp the chain brackets to the trailer frame.

I watched this video and can not find anything in the explanation or visual evaluation that would in any way indicate there is a sway control. I can generally evaluate mechanical thing but this one claim is beyond me. The only claim I would agree with is the statement that the hitch is quite. unless the chain brackets have a "hand function" to them the drivers side will be a knuckle buster against the bottom of the propane bottles.

SwayPro By Blue Ox

If anyone can explain the sway control function please post

[HowieE]

Let me ask a question. Are the trunnion cups angled in towards the bottom. If that it would cause a additional force to be created on the inner bar during a turn or sway. Not sure I would like to rely on a SPRING as a damping function.

[AWCHIEF]

Originally Posted by cajohnson

I've pretty much decided to go with a Blue Ox hitch for our 19' Flying Cloud. Does anyone know for sure if I can use the clamp on or would I have to go with the bolt on model?
Thanks...

To actually answer your question the clamp on model is what is suggested by Blue Ox for Airstream frames. I contacted BlueOx prior to buying my BlueOx SwayPro and ask them. Afraid this thread will soon take off in many different unrelated directions like all WD threads tend to do. Good luck

[Tincampers]

I've never busted a knuckle on my BO. Never had a bit of sway either. What amazes me is people who run down a product without any knowledge of how it works. Call BO and they will explain it to you.

[A W Warn]

Originally Posted by HowieE

You can clamp the chain brackets to the trailer frame.

I watched this video and can not find anything in the explanation or visual evaluation that would in any way indicate there is a sway control. I can generally evaluate mechanical thing but this one claim is beyond me. The only claim I would agree with is the statement that the hitch is quite. unless the chain brackets have a "hand function" to them the drivers side will be a knuckle buster against the bottom of the propane bottles.

SwayPro By Blue Ox

If anyone can explain the sway control function please post

http://www.blueox.com/show-4-video.aspx
Can't explain it, but I would like to see one in person and tryout it out.
These videos of the SwayPro by Blue Ox are pretty good, especially the second one from the top, which talks about how leverage returns the trailer to center. It's not dependent on friction to stop sway. Interesting!

I think the any old trunnion type WD would have some of this same leverage effect, leverage returning the trailer to center, if the head is tilted slightly downward like it's supposed to be.

[Tincampers]

Come to Canopener, there will be at least 2 there.

[AWCHIEF]

I will be happy to have anyone take a look mine at Canopener. Spot 008.

[A W Warn]

Mrpez and AWCHEIF
I appreciate the invite to take a look. I will not be at Canopener, so maybe another time.
Thanks!

[Tincampers]

I'm right across from you in 19.

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by mrprez

I've never busted a knuckle on my BO. Never had a bit of sway either. What amazes me is people who run down a product without any knowledge of how it works. Call BO and they will explain it to you.

Amen! This is my second BO and I have had no issues with 8K plus miles pulling 2- 25' AS's. The new one this year is better with no adjusting needed at the head, but I had no issues with earlier model either. That being said, I am sure someone will pipe in about why "they" think their hitch is better.

[Tincampers]

Let's hope not, for once I'd like to see a thread about hitches stay on topic. Plenty of other places to discuss those other ones....wink wink.

[Tincampers]

Originally Posted by A W Warn

Mrpez and AWCHEIF
I appreciate the invite to take a look. I will not be at Canopener, so maybe another time.
Thanks!

If you have any questions or would like some pictures, let me know.

[m.hony]

Doesn't it work on exactly the same principle as the Equal-i-zer 4-point sway control hitch?

[A W Warn]

Originally Posted by m.hony

Doesn't it work on exactly the same principle as the Equal-i-zer 4-point sway control hitch?

No. If you read their advertisements or watch their videos you will see.
I have no experience with either one.
The advertisements say Equalizer uses friction and the BO uses leverage.

[Tincampers]

The BO is nothing like the Equali I Zer hitch.

[m.hony]

Leverage for anti-sway? I don't get it, but it's moot. I'm not shopping for a hitch- just curious, but not curious enough to do a bunch of research on it. I'll take your word for it.

[Tincampers]

It works. That's all I care about.

[AWCHIEF]

Originally Posted by mrprez

It works. That's all I care about.

Don't be silly. You know that is not good enough for this bunch of kitchen table engineers.

[gmw photos]

To the OP, I think the bolt on style brackets are more intended for trailers like V-nose where the body of the trailer extends forward to the point it covers up the front a-frame extension of the trailer. In those examples you don't have access to place the saddle type brackets over the a-frame.

As for whether this hitch works for sway control, I use it on my SOB trailer, which is a typical box, tandem axle, leaf spring setup with flipped axles for high ground clearance ( in other words, probably as "bad" as you can get ). I towed the trailer 600 miles home just "on the ball" and felt a minor amount of sway at times in some heavy crosswinds. Since then I have towed it with the blue ox approx 30K miles, and there is no perceived sway at all under any condition I have towed in. Occasionally at speeds that maybe I should not admit to, but mostly I tow a little under 60 mph.