Sway controll

[Qjake]

Just bought a new pop-up A-Frame camper and looking for input on a sway controll. The camper has a dry weight of 2000lbs and tongue weight of aprox 300, loaded I'll probably be looking at 2700/400lb. I will be installing air bags in the rear.

I was looking at this one and it seems to be what I need though it says to remove it before backing. Are there any other options I missed? Do I really need sway controll for such a lite trailer? Any input is appreciated.

TIA

 

[TechWrench]

Just bought a new pop-up A-Frame camper and looking for input on a sway controll. The camper has a dry weight of 2000lbs and tongue weight of aprox 300, loaded I'll probably be looking at 2700/400lb. I will be installing air bags in the rear.

I was looking at this one and it seems to be what I need though it says to remove it before backing. Are there any other options I missed? Do I really need sway controll for such a lite trailer? Any input is appreciated.

TIA

Though anything is possible, I doubt you will need sway control for that trailer. First, it is fairly light, and with the tongue weights you posted, you should be balanced properly. Second, because it is a pop-up, there isn't very much side surface, compared to a full height travel trailer, to be pushed around by side winds. I would suggest you try it out first, before springing for the sway control. As long as the trailer/tongue weight is balanced, you have the ball mount set to the proper height, so the trailer rides level, and your wheel alignment on the trailer is correct, you probably won't have an issue with sway.

 

[ToolmanJohn]

Likely not needed.

If the tongue weight is correct (10-15% of total trailer weight), and the camper axle is not extremly close tot the tow hitch , it shouldn't be very susceptible to sway. One problem wiith the stock 4runner reciever is that is not rated for a sway control because it's bolted directly to the rear crossmember. If the trailer isn't really heavy ( yours isn't) it should not be a problem. I installed an aftermarket tow reciever with a 600/6000 capacity.

That said, my R-Pod 177 is 2600 dry, ( with a fully loaded gross weight capability of over 3400 pounds) , over 9 feet high, and I have towed at 65mph with and without a friction sway control. There is no difference in handling. BUT, someday I may get passed from head on by a semi on a two lane country highway at 60mph and the sway control would likely be handy because, yeah, I think it would get pushed by the air. That would be exciting, but not in a good way.

My sway bar also is supposed to be removed while backing up. This is because it can restrict movement of the camper during an extreme turn. Taking oit off allows the camper to move freely. The sway control will always fight side to side movement if it is set correctly with enough friction. Cheap insurance in my opinion. Better to use it than wish you did.

 

[Qjake]

Good feedback, thanks guys!

I'm picking it up tomorrow and I've got about a 40 mile highway ride home so although short it is well traveled by semi's so will be a good test. I'll also have some time to kill this weekend so will probably do some more highway testing with it. I'm also thinking that the one I posted is fairly cheap so as ToolmanJohn pointed out might be better to have it than wish I did.

Thanks again, much appreciated! :thumb3: