weight distribution@sway controls

THE BIGPUNN · May 5, 2002

i have a 99 gmc 1500 4x4 with tow package. i have installed my brake controller and i may of finally found the camper i want. its only 26' and has a hitch weight of 353lbs and gvwr is 4753, dry weight is 3570. the dealer that i may get the camper from is really pushing me to get sway controls and weight distribution hitch...expensive! any advise, concerns, expierience?

Shaners · May 5, 2002

Is it a tandem axle trailer? That has alot to do with it...

300-400 lbs is not really enough hitch weight to make torsion bars a requirement.

I'd just dop it on the ball and take it home. If it acts funny then maybe a weight distributing hitch would be worth looking into.

The RV dealers make alot of money on these things... I've towed an older 24' coachman that weighed over 4k lbs with no bars etc... and it was fine. (athough the guy I towed it home for bought the whole set-up eventually)

A sway bar is a good thing for when a semi passes you. It won't suck your rig into it's "negative pressure" zone as easily.

With a light travel trailer like you describe, I'd try it first without the extra $$$ investment andd the decide from there.

Of course at that weight trailer brakes are a must!!!

THE BIGPUNN · May 5, 2002

yes, shaners it is a tandem axle.

C4401 · May 5, 2002

With a 1/2 ton Chevy, I have towed both with and without the spring bars and sway control. Without works just fine until something unexpected happens on the road....strong cross winds, semi passing, the need to swerve to avoid something. For safety and peice of mind while towing, I'd never do it again without the spring bars and sway control.

antig24 · May 5, 2002

You don't neccassarily need them but I'd use them for safety.

4x4Bob · May 5, 2002

That dealer is giving you some good advice. However, you do not have to buy from him. Do some shopping around for a good Weight Distribution Hitch and Sway Control unit.

You want your trailer and truck to set level while you are driving. The Weight Distribution hitch helps transfer load to your front wheels and will reduce some of the bouncing you would experince on rough roads. The Sway Control will help keep your rig running in a stright line when you are being passed by other large vehicles.

Another thing you must be concerned about is the total weight of your Truck and Trailer. Because if you load up your trailer then toss a few items for camping into the bed of your truck you could exceed your total weight limit.

Jpshostr · May 5, 2002

While I have never personally used sway controls since all of the trailers I've pulled haven't required their use, on a bumper pull camper I'd recommend them in this case. A 26' camper has a lot of surface area for the wind to grab and since you only have a half ton to pull it you'll want all the help you can get in those crosswinds. I wouldn't be too concerned about the hitch weight though, although 353lbs sounds pretty light to me.

Shaners · May 6, 2002

I agre with JP here. I would try to pull it first with a $25 dollar drop hitch and ball. If it seems to want to sway then you'll need to get an adjustable drop hitch which will have room for the extra ball for a sway bar.

The sway bar attaches to a 1" ball on the hitch and to a 1" ball on the tounge of the trailer. To attach the sway bar ball to the tounge you'll need to drill a couple of holes and run some self-tapping bolts in there to secure the plate with welded ball on it. It's pretty simple actually.

Let me know if you need more pics or advice...

jd hauler · May 6, 2002

You'll definitely need the sway bar, it is cheap insurance on hauling long campers. I use one when I tow my 30 footer and would never go without it. They catch wind and tri-axle trucks and box vans are almost worse than semis in my opinion. I would'nt spend any money on weight bars, these are usually needed when somebody wants to haul a big trailer with a half ton. Just be careful when the sway bar is on, your sharp turns are limited, remove it when your at the campground etc.

THE BIGPUNN · May 7, 2002

thanks for the help. i decided to go ahead and get the whole set up weight dist and sway control. i just wanted a piece of mind, seeing that my first trip is a 8 hr drive on highways. thanks. by the way, i went with a 24' k-z coyote.

jd hauler · May 8, 2002

good move. better safe than sorry, towed mine 12hrs and was glad I did what I did, good luck, Mike

Shaners · May 8, 2002

The RV dealer will help you set it up for the first time.

If you notice too much sway from the camper even with the sway bar attached, drop down a link on the torsion bars. I've had to adjust my bars from time to time (ie. I don't always set them on the same link every time), because the rig doesn't handle right. You want to keep 10-15% of the trailer weight on the ball for best results... Good luck and let us know how it works for you...