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Old 05-21-2014, 09:18 PM   #21
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I don't think a weight distribution hitch really does much to combat sway, but I am open to correction.
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Old 05-21-2014, 09:20 PM   #22
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What happens if you use smaller ball?

I can see where a Hensley or a Pro Pride would, or maybe some of the friction devices might help with a small trailer, but I don't see a W/D alone doing much to reduce sway on a bigger trailer.
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Old 05-22-2014, 06:01 AM   #23
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No the WD hitch does not do much to eliminate sway but most have some sort of sway control. I use the old friction system and it seems to work fine.

The WD hitch will keep the front wheels on the ground so the front wheels don't break loose when the trailer sways.

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Old 05-22-2014, 06:13 AM   #24
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You know I looked at the sway control stuff on the market, and noticed that everything I saw but Hensley and ProPride relied on a friction solution.

Then I considered the 31' behind the ball on my trailer. I imagined that the friction device would be a nut, and my trailer was a 31' long wrench....... In my mind this kind of sway control seemed kind of silly.

Since I can't yet afford a ProPride or a Hensley, and I have never found myself in a situation where the front of my truck has ever felt the slightest bit light even when I found myself unexpectedly on snow and ice, I just run the standard ball.
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Old 05-22-2014, 06:17 AM   #25
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In my experience, an experience devoid of Hensley and ProPride, sway is best eliminated by not having too much weight in the last four feet of trailer.
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Old 05-22-2014, 08:05 AM   #26
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I had an almost fatal sway issue when I did not have my friction bar tight in the rain. I was able to recover by using the trailer brakes. The friction bar does help. It keeps the oscillations from getting bigger with each cycle. If you don't drive over 60 you may not have any issues.

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Old 05-22-2014, 08:09 PM   #27
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What happens if you use smaller ball?

I have no real world experience with anti sway devices, I do have experience with trailer sway in an Airstream though....

My first build was too heavy in the rear two feet of my trailer. This is when I started looking seriously at anti sway devices.

In the end I ended up rebuilding the bath removing a few hundred pounds from the back and relocating my batteries up under the tongue.

It changed my sway prone trailer into a trailer that tows well.

60 was about tops before my re-renovation.

Regarding an anti sway device, I really want a ProPride because to me the design looks effective, and I think my wife would be comfortable towing with this hitch. I can't really afford to spend the bucks for one of these right now though. Maybe this fall.

Till then I get to do the driving.
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Old 05-23-2014, 06:51 PM   #28
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Is this conversation for real? Or is this someone's idea of a joke?

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Old 05-23-2014, 07:03 PM   #29
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Originally Posted by Denis4x4 View Post
Back before the internet imparting all of this wisdom on towing was available, we used a chunk of rubber from an inner tube (remember those?) on a 1-7/8" ball when pulling a trailer with a 2" hitch. Never even a close call!
....yeah, we just used a folded over twice shop rag .....

....ah, those were the days...to be young and know it all !
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Old 05-23-2014, 07:16 PM   #30
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An FYI, WD will help minimize sway, in that it redistributes the weight back to the steer axle of the tow vehicle, thus making it less susceptible to sway. It is not an anti-sway device, and under some (many) conditions it won't do enough to stop sway.
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Old 05-25-2014, 07:37 AM   #31
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 62overlander View Post
I want to back things up…
What exactly is the smaller size? 1 7/8"? Is the bigger 2" or 2 5/8"? This is rather important stuff not some kind of testing one's luck. Towing on a ball too small is simply foolishness and puts everyone on the road around you in danger. Your hitch is a 2 5/8" ball and you are dragging a lot of weight down the road. Please take this stuff seriously.

I don't think there is a 2 5/8 hitch ball. However the 2 5/16 is the one used on most Airstreams that I'm familiar with..

For whatever it's worth.

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Old 05-25-2014, 06:08 PM   #32
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yes thank you for the uh, correction. I am easily befuddled since I feel real Airstreams have 2" balls.
yeah, that was pointed out. Thanks for doing it again Larry C...
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Old 05-28-2014, 05:38 PM   #33
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Our truck is 1500 HD. We also have air shocks along with the heavy duty everything. Remember our trailer is 21'. Big ball is on and hopefully my hubby is aware from here on out. I asked before we got the trailer if this truck is capable of towing this trailer. Plus we put 4wheelers in the back of the truck on hunting excursions.
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Old 05-28-2014, 07:11 PM   #34
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What happens if you use smaller ball?

I tow my 31 ft with a 1500, it does fine.

There will likely be dissenters, but I think your truck will pull your 21 footer no problem.
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Old 06-02-2014, 06:17 PM   #35
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Quote:
Originally Posted by J. Morgan View Post
I have no real world experience with anti sway devices, I do have experience with trailer sway in an Airstream though....

My first build was too heavy in the rear two feet of my trailer. This is when I started looking seriously at anti sway devices.

In the end I ended up rebuilding the bath removing a few hundred pounds from the back and relocating my batteries up under the tongue.

It changed my sway prone trailer into a trailer that tows well.

60 was about tops before my re-renovation.

Regarding an anti sway device, I really want a ProPride because to me the design looks effective, and I think my wife would be comfortable towing with this hitch. I can't really afford to spend the bucks for one of these right now though. Maybe this fall.

Till then I get to do the driving.
Take a serious look at the Pullrite hitch. More stabil than either the PP or Hensley, and probably less money.
For whatever it's worth.
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Old 06-02-2014, 07:08 PM   #36
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Larry C View Post

Take a serious look at the Pullrite hitch. More stabil than either the PP or Hensley, and probably less money.
For whatever it's worth.
Larry
I really wanted to go with the PullRite myself but they no longer manufacture that hitch for my model (2013 Silverado) and I believe that may be the case for 2007 and up (i think the OP has a 2008? ). I practically begged them to use my truck as a model for that whole series - at a premium I'd be glad to pay - but they are definitely out of that business.
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Old 06-02-2014, 07:36 PM   #37
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Thanks Larry, I will check that out.

Better for less money would be great!
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Old 06-02-2014, 08:44 PM   #38
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Bessie, put on some sway control. There's engineers that will say you don't need it, but if you do and don't have, do darn. My 31' started to act up on some of that grooved pavement on route 80 before. Carson RV could fix you up I'm sure and won't break the bank.

And all you experts out there with all your cute letters for names and systems, that don't do anything but name calling for a newbie reading and saying WTF are they talking about, and could get some life saving advice if they knew wtf you were typing. Shame on you.
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Old 06-03-2014, 04:10 AM   #39
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Folks, good advice is being handed out, but I think it is wasted since the OP has it all figured out.
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Old 06-03-2014, 11:24 AM   #40
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Does Airstream require that sway control be in place before leaving the lot after a new trailer is purchased?
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