Towing without a Anti Sway Hitch

[Diocletian]

Ok, I am a newbie so I am looking for education/advice.

We are towing a 16-foot 2017 Basecamp with a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee LTD 4x4, with the factory tow kit that includes "trailer sway damping." I have been assuming that this trailer sway damping in the factory tow kit is all I need. We have not had any issues at all, even with a good amount of freeway driving. However we haven't encountered much in the way of 'high risk' situations (wind, close 18-wheelers, etc.); so I don't want to learn the hard way that I am ignorant.... Should we be looking at additional sway control options?

Thanks in advance!

[SteveSueMac]

Hi and welcome. "Sway damping" sounds like an electronic computer controlled system - is that a correct assumption? If so....

My $0.02 - you don't describe having any weight distribution capabilities. I'm not familiar with the tongue weight of the Basecamp or your Jeep's reaction to having it on the ball, but first I'd recommend taking the the rig to CAT scales and first seeing how those numbers pan out. Just dialing in the appropriate amount of weight distribution should make the rig very stable. There are many threads here on that process and you can visit the CAT Scales website for additional info and tutorials on how to do this properly. If you do, post the tickets here and folks will give you a lot of tips and insight that will be helpful to your setup. You can also do a fender measurement (that's also searchable in these forums and may be in your Basecamp user manual as well).

Second - I personally would recommend some sort of physical sway control device - whether a stand alone add-on or integrated in to your WD hitch system. The topic of 'best' hitch tends to get emotional here for no good reason [emoji23] but again, search and ask - there's good info here to help clarify what you're trying to do and which tools can beat help you do that.

Good luck!

[suncoasteng]

I have never used the anti-sway bar, but always use my weight distribution bars. The trick to towing any large RV or boat is to make sure you have lots of tongue weight, at least 400 pounds for 19' boat or RV up to 900 pounds for 28'footer,,,,,,and keep your speed under 62 mph. (that's hard to do in Texas where is seems like every two lane rural road has a 70 mph speed limit)

Move weight around inside the RV to boost your tongue weight - and don't run full water tanks if they are above or behind the first axle.

I see clowns blow by me doing 70-75mph with their RV whipping back and forth.

[Ourgosy]

Hey everyone, this is something I think about all the time. My wife and pull a 24' Argosy with a '02 Ford F250 Diesel. We've been full timing for about 5 months, and in that time we've towed from New York to California to Austin, TX. We have no sway control or weight distribution setup on our hitch, and we have had absolutely zero problems.

That said, there is always a little voice in my head saying that my rig could be set up a little better, a thus a little safer. So, one day we will upgrade our hitch, and I'm sure we'll be happy we did. But we're not in a hurry.

[sherpa27]

It probably depends on the size of AS. I tow a 16' without an antisway hitch and have never had reason to want one. In fact, the AS tows so well it seems to stabilize the SUV in side winds. We live in southern NM, so we do know about wind.

[J. Morgan]

Originally Posted by sherpa27

It probably depends on the size of AS. I tow a 16' without an antisway hitch and have never had reason to want one. In fact, the AS tows so well it seems to stabilize the SUV in side winds. We live in southern NM, so we do know about wind.

My experience is limited to old 31’ Airstreams, but I think you are right about the length of the trailer being a mitigating factor with regard to tendency for violent oscillation.

I think the length behind the rear axle(s) is the primary motivator.. E=MC2....

[Boog]

Originally Posted by J. Morgan

I think the length behind the rear axle(s) is the primary motivator.. E=MC2....

Here is an unscientific comparison of two similar sized Airstreams, the 23d and the 23fb. The axle placement appears to be more towards the center of the 23fb trailer.

[RandyNH]

Originally Posted by Boog

Here is an unscientific comparison of two similar sized Airstreams, the 23d and the 23fb. The axle placement appears to be more towards the center of the 23fb trailer.

Here's a reference

https://www.etrailer.com/static/imag...u65526_800.jpg

Guess that bed is heavy

[PKI]

Originally Posted by Boog

Here is an unscientific comparison of two similar sized Airstreams, the 23d and the 23fb. The axle placement appears to be more towards the center of the 23fb trailer.

Boog - would be helpful to make the comparison a bit more scientific by comparing the distance from the ball to the axles. Note that the 23FB is 23-9" while the 23CB/D is 23-0".

Randy - besides the bed, there are differences in tank and storage location, that are worth investigating.

One thought comes to mind. "The devil is in the details." Pat

[ROBERT CROSS]

In many cases it turns out that you need it but I don't.....

Bob

[J. Morgan]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

In many cases it turns out that you need it but I don't.....



Bob

I don’t need it, but towing is way better with.

[dasher]

Getting ready to purchase a 1985 Sovereign 25. We started with a tear drop and moved to a 15 foot canned ham and now we are moving into the big leauges.

Also found a used Hensley Arrow for sale.

Does the Hensley Arrow supply weight distribution along with the Sway elimination? Or do I need something in addition to the Arrow

[SteveSueMac]

Originally Posted by dasher

Getting ready to purchase a 1985 Sovereign 25. We started with a tear drop and moved to a 15 foot canned ham and now we are moving into the big leauges.



Also found a used Hensley Arrow for sale.



Does the Hensley Arrow supply weight distribution along with the Sway elimination? Or do I need something in addition to the Arrow

The Arrow provides both weight distribution and sway prevention.

Usually referred to here as HA (Hensley Arrow) or sometimes HAHA - I think for laughs [emoji3]

Search around for lots of great additional info on the hitch. It's a very good device.

Congrats and happy camping!