Anti Sway Hitch

Here are some very good technical articles on trailer tow dynamics. Here are some to read
Caravan and tow vehicle dynamics – how and why trailer and tow vehicles interact
Caravan dynamics simply explained – a plain English version of my main article
Need for a WDH – avoid using one if possible
Reducing caravan sway – here’s how to minimise the causes
Weight distribution hitch setting up – how much correction is needed   


Caravan/Tow Vehicle Behaviour & Suspension

Originally posted by ZuBrew Sorry I forgot to post what my R-Pod is. It's the new 189 and I'll be towing it with a 2008 Tacoma V6. I had a pop up I towed before and that was no trouble.  I've never towed a full size camper though. Thanks for all the information. I'm still reading through everyone's replys but wanted to post this.

Originally posted by Happy Tripping This topic is a classic example of the biggest controversies occurring when each party is partly right, and each partly wrong. ASSUMING - the tv/trailer combo is properly balanced to begin with, sway will, I believe, only occur when OUTSIDE forces (wind gusts, curvy roads etc) hit the trailer/tv combo. Most of these can be controlled by a friction sway bar alone, more serious ones require a wdh and in the the worst cases, both fail and over we go. So, that said, does the capability to selectively hit the brakes of the trailer when sway begins play a significant role in preventing accidents?  I've found this to be effective in those very infrequent times when I've experienced early trailer sway.

If one has the time and presence of mind to hit the manual brake control for the trailer and apply them, it could help. When we had our accident, it was not something I thought of until after the fact. It might have helped, but I will never know. We did have an Equal-i-zer 4-point sway control hitch and it was insufficient when we hit the ice with the crosswind.

I purchased the Hayes Sway-Master electronic sway control and installed it. It will apply the brakes if it detects a sway condition without me having to remember in the midst of a situation.  Hopefully, we will never have to prove that it works, but it is an added bit of insurance.

SH,

I have been wondering how that Sway-Master was working for you. AND I agree you have to have presence of mind to operate manual brake, which can be tough in a sway situation.

Good comments, THANKS, as I get older I wonder how my reaction will be, I know what to do, doing it is a different issue.