For all tongue hitch style towing applications....
Using a load equalizing hitch with sway control is a
must!!!!!
I have personally witness on 2 occasions the catastrophic results of 'out of control sway'.
This is no Joke!!!!!
1. Use a reputable brand load equalizing hitch that is properly sized to your towing application is a must.
2. Adhere to the tow capacity of your tow vehicle
(GVWR/ GCWR). This is information is on a sticker located on the drivers side door post. Don't over load you tow vehicle regardless of what anyone (salemen especially) says. Should you get in a wreck and you're exceeding the tow rating of your vehicle then you're insurance may very well be null and void. There is a lot more to towing safety than the ability of the tow vehicles HP to get your trailer moving or pull a grade. You also need to
STOP, especially in an emergency.
3.
Sway control. I cannot stress enough the need for sway control. Some load equalizing hitches have built in sway control and some don't. If you don't have built in sway control then there are add on units available. My favorite is
EZ Lift Sway Control. It's a simple arrangement, steel flat bar sliding between two brake pads. The tension of the brake pads is adjustable for the weight of the trailer. Crank it down hard before heading down the road.
I have seen lots of TT's being towed down the road without sway control. This is very dangerous and very difficult to control once a sway condition begins. The driver has to be alert to the condition and know in advance how to stop it. There is only a couple of seconds to react before it's too late and out of control. The results are catastrophic.
I have seen this happen right in front of me. I began slowing down as soon as I saw the sway begin. The vehicle was going down a hill when the sway began. the trailer swayed toward the shoulder then back across the center line, and back toward the shoulder and then onto it's side. The trailer body separated from the floor and spewed the rv contents and debris all over the place. The driver was fortunate to walk away unscathed.
The second time I could just see some sway movement quite aways in front of me. The results where both the pickup truck and RV TT on their side in the median resulting in totaled vehicles. Once again the occupants walked away with only bumps and bruises.
A properly sized and set up hitch, properly adjusted sway control and properly adjusted trailer brake controller results in a relaxing, worry free towing experience.
Learn from the mistakes of others. When you see someone without sway control ask them if they know about sway control, chances are they don't. You may very well may prevent an accident and save their lives.
Happy and SAFE RVing
Linear Mode
