Best Weight Distribution with Anti-sway

[cazual6]

Too many threads on this matter to find what I am looking for. Mind giving me some pointers on which YOU think is best?

[rmkrum]

If you like absolutely no possibility of sway, like I do, a ProPride or a Hensley is a high end, high priced choice.

To me, it's priceless peace of mind. Others have had success with other systems. Have a look at the many, many hitch threads and related religious wars that break out around these opinions.

I'm happy with a ProPride. Your mileage may vary, and it's a very personal choice. Almost as controversial as choice of tow vehicle.

Read the arguments, pick one you will be happy and feel safe with.



Sent from my pocket Internet using Airstream Forums

[cazual6]

Originally Posted by rmkrum

Your mileage may vary, and it's a very personal choice. Almost as controversial as choice of tow vehicle.

Thanks, those two usually come up as the choice. But your comment about "Your mileage may vary" are you saying my mileage will have an impact of which I choose?

[Andrew T]

To really answer your question some more information would be helpful because there is no single answer for all applications.

I take it you are towing the 19'? What is your tow vehicle year make model?

What size tires do you have on the vehicle?

Any modifications to the Airstream such as a bike carrier on the rear?

Any modifications to the tow vehicle?

Thanks

Andrew T

[SeaLevel]

Originally Posted by cazual6

Thanks, those two usually come up as the choice. But your comment about "Your mileage may vary" are you saying my mileage will have an impact of which I choose?

YMMV, or "your mileage may vary", isn't meant literally. It just means that your experience may be different.

[AWCHIEF]

OP, all you are going to get is the old tired fan boy answers. There will be absolutely no information offered that is not already in the other zillion threads on the subject.

[rostam]

You need to define what "best" means for you, and, I agree, stay clear of fanboys. There is no way they could provide you with an objective assessment.

My 2 cents: correct installation and setup is probably more important that brand type. Also, if the travel trailer and tow vehicle are a "match", you won't need a super hitch (or super fine tuned hitch). YMMV.

[Bigventure]

My personal belief is the best non exotic hitch, is a Reese Straight line hitch with the dual cam feature. For the money you can't go wrong.

[SilverSinbad]

We have a Blue Ox Sway Pro, I think its called. Only hitch I have experience with. Has worked perfectly for 2.5 years and 25,000 miles. East to setup and remove.
Good luck with your decision.

[dkottum]

Originally Posted by Andrew T

To really answer your question some more information would be helpful because there is no single answer for all applications.

I take it you are towing the 19'? What is your tow vehicle year make model?

What size tires do you have on the vehicle?

Any modifications to the Airstream such as a bike carrier on the rear?

Any modifications to the tow vehicle?

Thanks

Andrew T

Here is the best help you will ever get, most probably North America's best, most experienced Airstream hitch expert. You will do well to work with him, especially on the bike carrier question.

[cazual6]

Originally Posted by Andrew T

To really answer your question some more information would be helpful because there is no single answer for all applications.

I take it you are towing the 19'? What is your tow vehicle year make model?

What size tires do you have on the vehicle?

Any modifications to the Airstream such as a bike carrier on the rear?

Any modifications to the tow vehicle?

Thanks

Andrew T

Planning on a AS 25 international. Either F150 most likely, but a long shot, a F250

[tjdonahoe]

I also like the Reese duel cam , it works very well with our ram and 31' classic, we had a Hensley on our 30' 04 classic,sold it with the trailer, I do not miss it..

[Eagle & Bear]

We bought our 1976 Ambassador 10 years ago. It came with the original hitch and bar setup. We had no problems with sway and the AS tracked perfectly once we had the new Henschen axles aligned.

Several years ago I noticed that the tubes that the weight distribution bars slip into at the hitch end were oval so we bought a similar hitch and weight distribution system. We paid $200 for a Eaz Lift hitch and bars. It is very similar to the original set of hitch and bars and has worked perfectly. No sway or problems with leveling tho torqueing the hitch bolts to 260# was not easy.

Our rig weighs in at 7600# and is 29' long. We have towed it over 170,000 miles. Just got back from four months traveling through the Yukon and Alaska. Other than corrosion, potholes and frost heave we had no problems during the 9800 mile drive.

[16595]

If you are towing with a brawny vehicle you have a considerable amount of latitude.

The lighter the tow vehicle, the more attention needed on the hitch and setup.

Dwight

Duramax 2500
31' Classic
Blue Ox (I love it)

[mojo]

Any of the hitches will work.
Which one works best is a matter of opinion.
That is why so many threads already exist on the subject.

[Rgentum]

We're towing a FC27 with a Ram 2500 diesel. The AS dealer recommended a Blue Ox Sway Pro. I took his word for it, bought & installed one without looking at any other alternative, & paid approx $500 for it. So far, after some 15K miles of towing, it's worked well & I have no complaints. If problems arise with it & based on what many, many others have said on this forum, the next step up for us would be a ProPride at approx. $2,500.

After 10K miles going to & from last summer's AS rally in WVA, I bought an AirSafe hitch, at approx $1,000, to add to the Blue Ox to reduce the jarring & bumps we routinely felt while towing. The AirSafe has reduced them significantly & given us a noticeably smoother ride. I don't know how, & doubt that, an AirSafe hitch could work with a ProPride. Perhaps some ProPride owners could comment on that? Does a ProPride itself do anything to cushion the vertical movement of its hitch, as does an AirSafe?

[Jacob D]

There are a number of factors that contribute to sway. Here is my list which is probably not complete but is based on personal experience and observation. Speed is a serious cause of sway which is also a big contributor to accidents and damage cost. Others are TV wheel base (longer is better), TV weight, TV rear axle to ball distance, mis-matched tires on TV (I have no knowledge regarding mismatched trailer tires), wind, road conditions, switching lanes, uneven trailer braking, tail heavy trailer and other causes which you can find by exploring these forums. Most anti sway equipment is designed to counter act one or more cause. I have personally used a 50 year old Reese straight line hitch with WD spring bars and a sliding anti-sway bar on one side for almost 30 years towing a vintage A/S and it has served me well but I will admit, there have been a couple of sway problems over the years that this system could not over come. My advice is to use common sense, keep your speed down and maintain your equipment well. Let me emphasize speed again. Reduced speed WILL overcome any and all of the causes in my list. It is sometimes a matter of how much reduction is needed in a particular situation.

[Rascal0729]

Without equivocation Hensley Arrow

[Rascal0729]

From Vermont to Walt Disney World I made several unanticipated exits from the freeway at 65 mph pulling my 1969 Safari with a 1991 Jeep Grand Wagoneer the Hensley Arrow prevented accidents

[MelGoddard]

I have a Reese Dual Cam that did Not work on my 30' FC.
So I had Andy T. Take it off, and re-install the Ezy Lift.
It works, and I have a spare Reese used three times if anyone is interest. Cost me just over $1000+C. Make me an offer.
Trailer Trash ......."