Trailer Sway Control

Trailer sway must always be considered when you head out on the highway with a trailer in tow. Any movement of the trailer will attempt to steer the tow vehicle and can cause a dangeraous situation for you and your fellow travelers.

There are many factors to consider in controlling trailer sway. They include: driver reactions, speed, size of tow vehicle, traffic, trailer loading, trailer length and equipment used. While all of these factors are important to understand, many of them cannot be controlled once you hit the road. The one factor that can always be controlled is your choice of equipment.

The primary piece of equipment when hitching your tow vehicle to your trailer is your style of hitch. Many hitches are chosen as an afterthought to the entire trailer purchase. Some dealers will even “throw in” the hitch with the deal when you purchase your trailer. This is not a wise way to choose your equipment.

There are two types of trailer sway control hitches. Conventional friction sway control hitches and pivot point control hitches.

A conventional sway control attempts to damp the trailer sway by applying a friction force against the trailer sway forces. These work to minimize the effects of the sway on the tow vehicle but have an inherenet problem built into them. These hitches can’t always apply enough force to overcome the sway forces of the trailer. Unfortunately, when you need the most control during a violent sway they will not be able to control it.

A pivot point sway control hitch operates by manipulating the pivot point of the trailer. By changing the point at which the trailer rotates, the trailer is made to operate in unison with the tow vehicle. This style of hitch is very effective at never letting trailer sway escalate to the point that it overtakes the tow vehicle.

As you might guess, I am a proponent of pivot point sway control over the older, friction sway control design. Investigate all of your options before you head out on your next trip and I believe you’ll also find there to be a major difference.

Trailer Sway Control

Trailer Sway Control