Do I NEED sway control??

[PharmGeek]

Of course, Mr. Cross knows this...and this will be semantical...but "opinion" by definition implies:

"A view or judgment formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge"

If "facts" indeed weigh on a point of question, opinions become highly secondary...opinions will need to be informed by facts, or they become foolish opinions.

My googling on this topic so far is struggling to find good review articles with citations to safety data, accident stats as it relates to travel trailers...not sure where to find this data...Im familiar with medical resources..not so much in this area of science...but surely we can cite actual data in such a post to make a point..rather than blabber on and on and on about peoples opinions (everyone has one).

SCIENCE WORKS!

[PharmGeek]

Originally Posted by Skater

That is absolutely amazing. I know our 30' was set into a pretty bad sway when a pickup towing a racecar trailer passed at high speed with the sway control turned off. Our trailer is 5' longer and probably heavier than yours, but I can't believe that is enough to make our experiences so different.

Skepticism is warranted...a wise man once said:

"extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence"

[wncrasher]

My Vantage is 23 ft overall, tongue weight is 700#, and weighs about 5,500 lbs overall. I have two rather large trucks - one a Chevy 2500 duramax crew cab and the other a 1500 Suburban.

The 2500 can tow the trailer with a simple ball hitch and that is it. Excellent road manners. Probably because the truck has a long wheelbase as well is very heavy - around 7400lbs. Now my Suburban is another story. It absolutely needs the WD and the sway control - I use an Equalizer that works very well. The Suburban still has a long wheelbase compared to most SUVs and 1/2 ton trucks. But it's softly sprung and that makes all the difference.

A big F250 should be able to handle a 25 or 27 foot trailer without an elaborate setup unless the trailer's weight distribution is unusual.

[MrUKToad]

Geek,

Have a look at this site:

Bailey of Bristol - Caravan Stability Studies

Proper testing, albeit of European caravans that don't use WD or sway control, but the physics are the same.

Also try this this study:

http://people.bath.ac.uk/en8cjk/Caravan.pdf

Note that I am the messenger and have none of the answers!

[eubank]

I think we need to lower the temperature readings in this thread a few degrees, folks. Please follow our "be nice" rule; avoid ad hominem attacks at all costs, for the consequences are not very nice.

Lynn

http://www.airforums.com/forums/misc...ork&page=rules

[Skater]

Thanks MrUKToad. I'll have to take a look at those when I get a chance. I thought the European spec'd Airstreams are built lighter than ours, which certainly would factor into the equations.

I just know my firsthand experience, and I'll stick with some sort of WD and sway control for our rig. Perhaps there's a bit too much weight on our tongue given the gigantic inverter and third battery that were installed (along with the spare tire underneath).

[MrUKToad]

Originally Posted by Skater

Thanks MrUKToad. I'll have to take a look at those when I get a chance. I thought the European spec'd Airstreams are built lighter than ours, which certainly would factor into the equations.

I just know my firsthand experience, and I'll stick with some sort of WD and sway control for our rig. Perhaps there's a bit too much weight on our tongue given the gigantic inverter and third battery that were installed (along with the spare tire underneath).

The dynamics of towing remain the same whether you have a 34' Classic or a small utility trailer behind you.

"Freeballing" will work for some people, I'm sure, but why anyone would want to pass up additional help in the form of WD and sway control/elimination is beyond me. I don't see any disadvantages to having such systems when towing and their cost, relative to the cost of the TV and the trailer are miniscule.

[crispyboy]

Another anecdotal story:
Back in April my sister purchased a 2008 Airstream 25' Safari. It did not come with a hitch so we towed it home (200 miles away) without weight distribution or sway equipment. My tow vehicle is a 2500, shortbed with wheel base of 140.5" which by all means is plenty of vehicle. The truck can handle the load fine without all the equipment BUT you knew the trailer was back there.
The Safari has a tongue weight over 800 lbs so we had the porpoising effect hitting the bad spots. We felt every large truck and cross wind, not to a dangerous effect but it was there. At the end of the day I can say you could tow like this but it was NOT RELAXING and you had to be very attentive to what was going on around you. The trailer reacted so much quicker that it would have been easier to get into trouble. Towing without the required equipment is fine for going to a local spot a few miles away but it's definitely not for me - give me safety equipment. I have been spoiled with the HAHA hitch.

[xrvr]

I tow my avion which weighs 4500 pounds loaded with my one ton dodge cummins. No need for weigh dist, but I do use a sway control device to be safe. Jim

[BAB]

I said this once before. Wouldn't it be interesting if we could get Consumer's Reports interested in doing some testing that was both valid and reliable? (Valid=measure what you say you measure; Reliable=replicable on multiple occurrences) Everyone is entitled to opinion and it's very difficult for most of us to differentiate opinion from fact. You read the posts and form your own conclusions...(and live with the consequences).

[Gene]

It is probably too small a market for CR, though they have tested Porsches lately. I have noticed their reviews are getting shorter and less informative in the past few years too which may indicate limited funds.

Gene

[m.hony]

I have heard that some newer trucks have "built-in sway control". Anybody got one of them trucks?

[SteveSueMac]

Originally Posted by m.hony

I have heard that some newer trucks have "built-in sway control". Anybody got one of them trucks?

Yes I do. 2013 Chevy 2500 duramax. I think it's sort of like ABS only it brakes left then right based on it sense of sway. I believe it also forces deceleration. I haven't needed I yet (knock wood). I'll see if I can find a better description in the manual and post a pic.

[cwf]

Originally Posted by SteveSueMac

Yes I do. 2013 Chevy 2500 duramax. I think it's sort of like ABS only it brakes left then right based on it sense of sway. I believe it also forces deceleration. I haven't needed I yet (knock wood). I'll see if I can find a better description in the manual and post a pic.

Yeah.. our 2012 also has it.. I have engaged on grass with a tractor trailer hooked up... it felt like it was applying ABS on separate sides... and it did help pull things in line... as it applied also to the trailer more than the truck..

[oledawg]

OK, I have read about folks having NO problems "freeballing" with a HD TV. My trailer is getting beaten to death by my 3500 HD dually TV. The truck is as heavy as the trailer and every bump is transmitted to the trailer. I am now loosening up the chains on the sway bar system to see if that helps.

[Airstreamer67]

Take a look at the AirSafe hitch which uses Firestone air bags to isolate the truck from the trailer. I've had one since 2006, and it works as advertised.

[oledawg]

How does one add cushioning? My 3500 HD duallie shakes the heck out of my 30 foot AS. Something is just too stiff.

[Larry C]

Originally Posted by oledawg

How does one add cushioning? My 3500 HD duallie shakes the heck out of my 30 foot AS. Something is just too stiff.

The ASirSafe would help with your problem, I've used one for 5 years and 75,000 miles, and no complaints.

For whatever it's worth.

Larry

[kevinkatz]

switch to a bmw x5d like it have
(sorry i just had to be a smart ass----dont take this too seriously)

[Ganaraska]

Use lighter spring bars for a start. 600 or even 500 lbs