Passport 3220BH - Double Sway Control

lspajm · 10-02-2012, 03:11 AM

hey folks - looking for some thoughts and guidence. I have a 2011 passport 3220BH model and feel as though i am getting alot of sway. I am pulling it with a 2008 F150 - it pulls the camper fine - but i feel alot of movement in the rear-end while travelling on the highway at 60+ mph. I am using 1 Husky sway control bar - friction style - and my dealer recommended that i increase my tire pressure ont eh truck and t to help - and possible install a 2nd sway control bar - so I would have a sway cotnrol bar on each side of the hitch area.

Does anyone have expereince using 2 of these? Has it helped? Is it a waste of money? thanks!
Andy

Javi · 10-02-2012, 03:24 AM

I've experienced the same feeling and after several attempts to eliminate the feeling; including two sway control bars, I found the answer... a ¾ ton truck with a 172” wheel base.. it stopped all tail wagging the dog..

x96mnn · 10-02-2012, 03:41 AM

Is your truck a crew cab with the 8ft box? If it is not there is not much you can do to improve your tow other then a Hensley hitch. A reese dual cam system can help stop you from losing complete control say in a bad wind but will not eliminate the the smaller sway feeling over 60.

As stated in the previous post a new truck with a longer wheelbase is another option. The Hensley hitch will eliminate your sway but will not help stop the trailer.

lspajm · 10-02-2012, 03:42 AM

thanks for your reply. short of buying a new truck - Has anyone had any better luck reducing sway by uising the reese dual-cam style weight dist and sway control system?

Paddler · 10-02-2012, 04:12 AM

The Reese Dual Cam or the Equal-i-zer (tm) will allow you safely pull about 6 more feet of trailer than your wheelbase would normally allow. I pulled our previous tt (35 foot) with an 06 Sierra 1500 CC SB using the Equal-i-zer (tm) hitch setup and never had a white knuckle moment. I did feel the trailer push/pull when a semi zoomed past but that is something you just get used to.

If a larger truck is out of the question for now, I would suggest going to the Reese Dual Cam or Equal-i-zer (tm) hitch. Adding a second friction lock on your current hitch is a waste of money in my opinion.

Another thing to consider is how well is the trailer/truck leveled? They should be level or the trailer nose slightly lower than the truck. Also how is the weight distributed through out the trailer? Do you have 12-15% of the total trailer weight on the hitch? If not, find ways to lighten the weight at the rear of the trailer. (empty or nearly empty fresh water tank if located behind trailer wheels)

Reduce your speed! I generally tow at 58 mph. Better fuel economy, relaxed ride.

Hope you find an inexpensive fix to your sway issues,

x96mnn · 10-02-2012, 04:26 AM

I have the Reese Dual Cam system for my set up. It will not eliminate sway but it is supposed to and has done that to this point for me reduce the risk of losing control. The Sway I get is in winds while driving above 60 miles but at no time do I feel I am losing control.

I have never towed without the dual cam set up.

SteveC7010 · 10-02-2012, 05:36 AM

I would also point out that the Reese Dual Cam needs to fine tuned to work well. Those of you who still experience sway with a DC may want to consider adjusting your hitches for maximum function.

Second point... Friction sway controls have a very large drawback. They only work at all when properly tightened and not overtightened. I don't think any of us can precisely tighten a friction control exactly the same every time it is used. And, unlike a DC, it is easy to forget to tighten them at all when hooking up for a trip.

If you feel you might need a second friction bar, it's time to look at a DC, Equalizer, or if your budget permits, the Hensley.

E597283 · 10-02-2012, 06:14 AM

I added a second fiction sway control and for the $80 it helps. I have a 2910bh and my tv is a Yukon XL Denali. I really only put the second fiction bar on if i am going on a longer trip. Most of my weekend trips are less than a 1 hour away.

lspajm · 10-02-2012, 03:44 PM

E597283 - so you are happy with the performance from a second sway control in your opinion?

thanks everyone for your comments and feedback - it is appreciated.

audio1der · 10-02-2012, 08:11 PM

I seriously looked at the Reese WD with dual cam option but am really worried about setting up & installing it myself...
The store owner told me you can't back up with the dual cam engaged??
I'm going to try playing with where we store gear in our 3220BH to see if that helps any sway we encounter.
We pick it up on Thu; totally psyched!

KJcachers · 10-02-2012, 10:01 PM

You can back up with the dual cam. I was specifically told you could when we had ours installed with the new TT. They even demonstrated it to us before we left the lot. Had us make hard corners at full lock and then got out and observed how the bars slid on each side. Sure they make a little noise but they work!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

michol02 · 10-03-2012, 12:00 AM

I have an Equalizer 4 point 1400# and it handles my 35' very well. Found it for $555.00, but may be a little cheaper somewhere else, like Amazon. I had the 1200#, but upgraded after I weighed the tongue(a little over 1200#). The 1200 worked fine, but I feel safer with a little bit bigger than I need.

E597283 · 10-03-2012, 06:13 AM

[QUOTE=lspajm;51964]E597283 - so you are happy with the performance from a second sway control in your opinion?

It made some difference but as you would suspect you can never completely eliminate it. I traveled 2000 miles to Myrtle Beach this past summer and noticed the second one helped. Like I said…..what do you have to lose for $80. I read some where that over mid 20's length you should have 2.

audio1der · 10-03-2012, 10:34 AM

Thanks for the opinions and heads-up, guys.
Man, I hope its worth it; I just dropped $700 for the Reese WD with curved runion bars, and that doesn't include the 2nd sway control bars, just the opportunity to use them later if required.
(everthing costs more up here, and that price includes installation & setup)

muddynoll · 10-04-2012, 04:32 AM

I used our Dual Cam set up on an 06 Denalie this summer before moving up to my current F350. It was a big step up from the friction set up I had been using. It made the 2910 track verry straight with the truck but the trailer still pushed me around a bit because I didnt have enough truck. When I got my F350 back from the shop and made our first trip with it I was amazed at how nice it it towed when everything is set up right and you have an appropriate tow Vehicle. Three years 2 campers, 2 hitches, and 2 trucks later I finally have a set up that eliminates the white knuckle rides and makes the journey enjoyable.

New Kid on the Block · 10-07-2012, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by audio1der

I seriously looked at the Reese WD with dual cam option but am really worried about setting up & installing it myself...
The store owner told me you can't back up with the dual cam engaged??
I'm going to try playing with where we store gear in our 3220BH to see if that helps any sway we encounter.
We pick it up on Thu; totally psyched!

Backing up is kind of hard if you try to back up in an angle more than 30degrees.You can try a few pull ups so you do not put too much strain on
the dual cam.You should be OK,you can try a little bit of white grease on
the cams,it is messy but it helps.

muddynoll · 10-08-2012, 04:01 AM

I switched to the Dual Cam for our 2910BH. Dealer installed a single friction bar but did'nt tell me it was only good for up tp a 25 ft trailer MAX. I bought a Dual Cam and installed it myself following Reese instructions.It was'nt that hard but I did'nt trust the dealer to do it right. It made a big difference towing and yes you can back up with it hooked up,no problem. I agree that a second friction bar is a waste of money,but to each his own. Eventually you will probably be looking to upgrade to a Dual Cam or Equalizer anyway.

audio1der · 10-08-2012, 09:11 PM

Well, after a 4 hour drive in high winds (as much 'worst case scenario' as I'd want to try, esp. for my first tow) I have to say the dual cams are on order. A few white knuckle moments with constant corrections required were enough to convince.
As a side note, the Timbrens worked well to control rear end sag but the ride was poor; very choppy and bumpy, and our highways are pretty well maintained. Will also be adding some in-coil air bags to smooth out the ride first thing in the spring.

ls1mike · 10-08-2012, 11:10 PM

I have the same trailer. I have the Equalizer E2 hitch. No sway at all, but my truck is a 3/4 ton 167 inch wheel base (4 door long bed). I think that makes a big difference.

I have been happy with the E2, two way say control. It is a combination sway control and WD hitch.

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