anti sway

[BobFord]

I'm going to be towing a new 2021 27FB Globetrotter with a Ford F-350 with a towing capasity that doubles the weight of the globtrotter. Do you think I need anti-sway?

[moosetags]

If it were me, I would not tow an 8,000# travel trailer directly on the ball without any weight distribution/anti sway hitch. We towed our 25FB with our Silverado Duramax 3500 extensively for about 7 years. We always used a weight distribution/anti sway hitch system. I have towed heavy cargo trailers directly on the ball , and I have experienced sway in certain conditions.

Brian

[B. Cole]

Originally Posted by BobFord

I'm going to be towing a new 2021 27FB Globetrotter with a Ford F-350 with a towing capasity that doubles the weight of the globtrotter. Do you think I need anti-sway?

No.
Drop it on the ball, it will follow Big Daddy ( just like a tow truck/ wrecker )

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by B. Cole

No.
Drop it on the ball, it will follow Big Daddy ( just like a tow truck/ wrecker )

Pay little attention to the above.
Big trucks do not prevent AS sway, you just may not notice it 'til it's too late.

So the answer is YES, IMHO.

Bob
🇺🇸

[jeffmc306]

BobFord, welcome to the Airstream Community and Forums!

I’m with Bob on this one - you only regret it when it’s too late. If cost is your concern, take a look at Blue Ox SwayPro.

We’ve got a 3/4 ton truck so weight distribution is less important that sway control. We’re using 1000 lbs. bars and the trailer tows like a dream, no sway even in Interstate Highway speeds with semi-trucks.

You can’t go wrong with any of the big name systems.

[B. Cole]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

Pay little attention to the above.
Big trucks do not prevent AS sway, you just may not notice it 'til it's too late.

So the answer is YES, IMHO.

Bob
🇺🇸

[Collyn]

[QUOTE=ROBERT CROSS;2468176]Pay little attention to the above.
Big trucks do not prevent AS sway, you just may not notice it 'til it's too late.

Bob
Were you have a tow vehicle of infinite weight do you think that, if it were towing a travel trailer, would that rig still sway?

Collyn

[rmkrum]

The trailer can sway when towing on the ball if it’s not loaded properly. Doesn’t matter how heavy the truck is. It may not break traction on the rear of the truck until the trailer sway amplitude gets huge, but there will be sway.

Spare me the infinite mass and the irresistible force silliness. We’re towing in the real world...

[xrvr]

Anti sway, yes, weight distribution probably not necessary.

[n2916s]

Post #9 X2

[Collyn]

Originally Posted by rmkrum

The trailer can sway when towing on the ball if it’s not loaded properly. Doesn’t matter how heavy the truck is. It may not break traction on the rear of the truck until the trailer sway amplitude gets huge, but there will be sway.

Spare me the infinite mass and the irresistible force silliness. We’re towing in the real world...

What in the real world (that I presume excludes 'silliness' like Newton's Laws of Motion) do you believe is the cause of trailer sway?

Collyn

[Peter C]

You spent a good amount on that Globetrotter why not spend a few hundred bucks on a decent hitch. . I don’t even need to use the bar to hookup the equalization/sway bars but it seems to tow much smoother.

[Collyn]

I recommend using equalization and sway bars.

They may not be needed much of the time, but can save you in the event of (say) having to make a strong emergency swerve.

(Am puzzled by cynical posts - such 'Spare me the infinite mass and the irresistible force silliness. We’re towing in the real world'.

These tend to be from those decrying any technical approach - yet presumably drive RVs and even fly in 747s. Do they really believe they are designed by those not in 'the real world' (i.e., presumably defined as in the minds of such posters).

Collyn

[JonDNC]

Originally Posted by BobFord

I'm going to be towing a new 2021 27FB Globetrotter with a Ford F-350 with a towing capasity that doubles the weight of the globtrotter. Do you think I need anti-sway?

We tow the same basic setup F350 2019 27FBQ International. I have a blue ox hitch that works fine. Not the fanciest but does a great job. I don’t even know the trailer is there from a external force standpoint. I drive speed limit including up to 75 out west and whole set up is like on rails.

Would I do a short tow on the ball, yup, long tow doubt it, hooking up the anti sway/weight distribution takes a extra 5 minutes max.

[Collyn]

I would see it (in this case) as further increasing stability. Such stability may not ever be needed. It is however if you need to make a very strong emergency swerve to avoid a head-on collision.

Regard as a cheap insurance policy.

Collyn

[bstevenson]

We started trailer towing in 1969 with a 29' Holiday Rambler. Over the years we have run the gamut from that bad boy down to tent trailers and tow vehicles from cars to 1 ton pickups. I can remember towing a Starcraft tent trailer behind our Chevy C30 on the ball over Snoqualamie Pass in Washington State in very high winds and having the trailer start swaying uncontrollably. The truck weighed twice or more what the trailer weighed and yet we almost lost the fight for control and I will never forget it. That same truck towing a 27' Argosy fitted with Reese sway control and load bars going over the same pass never had a problem over many years. Needless to say I strongly advocate the use of sway control for all trailers and load bars as appropriate. Those who don't just haven't had a serious sway experience yet. I have met and spoken with many professional truckers over the years and have yet to encounter one who has not shared at least one harrowing experience of their own. Sway is a fact of life. Believe it. Learn about it. Learn how to deal with it.