How Does a Weight Distribution Hitch with Sway Control Work: The ULTIMATE GUIDE!

[@MillersRV]

*Don't Forget to Subscribe, Like, Comment & ENJOY THE JOURNEY!*

[@TexasHarleyBoy65]

Thanks for the info, broken down in a way that Mr. Average Joe Q. American can grasp. I just hit the subscribed button, for that very reason!

[@patrickradcliffe3837]

Spring not torsion bar it does not twist it bends like a leaf spring.

[@BillO964]

After 20 plus years of towing, Gosh, that was the simplest, best explanation of weight-distribution, sway control, and brake controllers I have ever seen.

[@peaceprayer595]

Finally, after hours of reading and searching online here we have a guy who simply breaks it down and provides the information necessary to make an intelligent decision!!! Thank you ... thank you ... thank you.

[@MillersRV]

Glad to help. Please let us know other RV questions you would like answered.

[@christopherdavis1321]

Jeff!! I can’t believe that out of all of the sway videos I have watched NO ONE until now has said how to stop the sway! Wow! Thank you for that information!

[@MillersRV]

Wow, thanks! So glad we could help Christopher!

[@recrdholdr]

A whole video on it kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJaodnZrmruBec0&ab_channel=L2SFBC-RobertPepper-autojourno

[@dionm1153]

There were important answers to questions I didn’t know I needed to ask. Advice to stoping sway with brake controller was gold

[@MillersRV]

So glad to hear! Thanks! We hope that earned a subscription (:

[@frankjames955]

Very knowledgeable, I've been pulling travel trailers for over 20 years everything everything this guy said is spot on

[@MillersRV]

Thank you Frank!

[@rebman5150]

Jeff, great video. Thank you. Explained simply, no dumb rock music background. And, you explained how to stop the trailer sway if it starts up. Thanks again!

[@MillersRV]

You're welcome Rich! Thanks for watching!

[@mgysgtk8835]

Finally a good presentation on load and sway control.

[@MillersRV]

Wow! Thank you so much!

[@andrejordan9397]

I have a 2017 Dutchman I pulled from texas to North Carolina in 2019, no problems at all. I prayed before and after I got back home. God is Arsome.

[@MillersRV]

Praise God!

[@ronlewis1831]

I'm a new trailer owner , real good info in this video thanks for clearing the fog on weight distribution systems.

[@MillersRV]

Thanks for watching!

[@QuantumRift]

Thank you, sir. Most informative! Just purchased a travel trailer here in OH, (we have a motorhome as well but it's too big for many places we like to go). As a teen we did family vacations and my parents has a travel trailer and I remember we pulled it behind a Chevy Biscayne 327. One of the things I helped my dad with was hookup and I remember back then (1970) it had the chain style weight distribution thing and the sway control thing. Now we have an Equalizer. We are using our 2004 Envoy XUV XLT as the tow vehicle for the 29' trailer. The Envoy has the airbag suspension and can tow 6400 lbs with the 5.3L. With the hitch and Equalizer and air bags, this rid does not sag one bit and driving it today, I can hardly feel the 4500 lb trailer behind it. Great info! (oh btw, I'm in Central OH).

[@MillersRV]

Thanks for watching!!

[@marliesseveryn3931]

Wow. I came for sway bar info and left with brake controller advice. I never knew to use the BC to correct trailer sway. Thanks!!

[@MillersRV]

So glad it helped Marlies!

[@politicallydisgruntled.7977]

Just bought a Puma XLE 20 RLC and will tow it with my 2023 Pathfinder. This is the video I needed to watch to alleviate some apprehension when towing. Thank You.

[@MillersRV]

So glad it helped. Please let us know of other topics that will help you Enjoy the Journey!

[@rickbotto8980]

Great information for a new camper trailer owner. Taking it out for the first time tomorrow, so glad I listened to your video.

[@MillersRV]

Glad it was helpful!

[@karenbond3062]

I learned so much from this video than any others that I have watched. Thank you.

[@MillersRV]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lurereviews5164]

I just learned more in your 6 min video than Watching hours of other videos

[@MillersRV]

That is incredible to hear and what we strive to do!

[@johnstoll4474]

We're just beginning to shop and research travel trailers, and your video is excellent! Thank you for your clear, concise, explanations. Great job!

[@MillersRV]

Glad to help. Before you purchase I encourage you to reach out to our sales team. Our goal is to understand how you plan on using your RV and use our years of experience to offer options that best fit your needs. text/call 225-275-2940 or email [e-mail]

[@TenTenOutdoors]

Very good explanation of every aspect of towing including the part about braking if the trailer starts swaying. Thank you!

[@MillersRV]

Thanks for watching!

[@billymcfuggin7549]

Wow...that was some great information. I have never seen a more concise no bee-hess explanation of how all this works...great job! Thank you

[@MillersRV]

Hi Billy! Glad it was helpful!

[@charlesdurand1328]

Great video! Also, a very important thing was explaining how to get out of a bad sway, well done! Thanks!

[@MillersRV]

Thanks for watching Charles!

[@Kenkoopa44]

Awesome information! This is all new to me so extremely helpful. Relieved to know these tools are out there!

[@MillersRV]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mathewsarts]

Nice job on the explanation! You definitely know your stuff. Thanks for sharing!

[@MillersRV]

Glad it was helpful, Mathew!

[@jasonnightingale8796]

Thanks for the very well explained video. Broken down in very understandable terms. Heading out tomorrow and your explanation was a great refresh course.

[@MillersRV]

Glad it was helpful Jason!

[@im4evryong]

Most helpful video I've seen on this topic. Thank you!!!

[@MillersRV]

Glad it was helpful! If you have other topics you would like covered, please let us know!

[@justatool]

Thanks for the informative video, I just installed a brake controller and didn't know about the slide button. Good info thanks.

[@MillersRV]

Glad it helped

[@Lift36]

Excellent video! Thank you for the helpful info

[@MillersRV]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@chrissvenningson1747]

Excellent tutorial 👍🏼

[@MillersRV]

Glad you liked it!

[@glennbrunson7688]

Thanks so much for this video ,I have the older set up sway bar set up . and i do use it, .Being new last year to the camping world , no one ever explained to me about the use of the braking from the dealership.. They installed and said their ya are ..off i went.. Thanks again for such a good video ..now i know and can safely use my equipment..

[@MillersRV]

Glad it was helpful Glenn! Thanks for watching!

[@waltfriedrich7631]

Been using weight distribution setups since the mid 80's. I still use the original Reese chain supported trunion type bars with DUAL adjustable friction sway control. IMHO this is still the best system with the most amount of adjustment. The proper capacity bars are also VERY importaint. More is NOT better.

[@MillersRV]

The old systems still work, they just take a little more work! You are right, having the correct weight bars for the tongue weight of the trailer is crucial to the best ride.

[@VegasPoolGuy1]

Really informative video. You answered several questions I’ve had! Thank you 😊

[@MillersRV]

Glad it was helpful, Bill!

[@jerrydc818]

Great video! I don’t even own a trailer but tow from time to time. Good knowledge sharing👏

[@MillersRV]

Awesome! Thank you, Jerry!

[@carlymartin7862]

Thank you for all the information ,very helpful

[@MillersRV]

Thanks, glad it was helpful!

[@beingswayed7575]

SUPER clear and helpful. Thanks :)

[@MillersRV]

Glad it helped!

[@USAForever4me]

Wow I learned lots on that video. Great explanations.

[@MillersRV]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for watching!

[@gmrick1412]

Very informative short video. Thanks

[@MillersRV]

Glad it was helpful!

[@bobbarkerr2899]

Excellent explanations and a huge tip at the end that I didn't know!

[@MillersRV]

Glad it was helpful, Bob!

[@markisserman9737]

Excellent video , thank you

[@MillersRV]

Glad you liked it!

[@Nburg642]

This was extremely helpful.

[@MillersRV]

Thank you for the kind words Nic!

[@joshharmon4867]

Great video! I'm an RV tech and I approve this message. I've personally seen with my own eyes uneducated people pulling wrong! I've seen how the trailer swaying so bad the rear end of the truck had no traction. I guarantee that dude lost his lunch that day out the wrong end in his beautiful truck!😂😂😂

[@MillersRV]

Thanks Josh!

[@christinadojack6717]

This was incredibly helpful. Thank you!

[@MillersRV]

You're so welcome, Christina!

[@Macros1971]

Could you describe the benefits of the newer weight distribution system vs the older style, or just illuminate ANY benefits to one over the other system? Thanks 😃

[@MillersRV]

The old chain style systems still work and can proved good weight distribution. One difference is having to use a separate component to provide sway control. Additionally with the older chain system you have to remove the sway bar before backing into a spot. So the new systems provide weight distribution and sway control with the one component and you can back up without having to get out and remove anything.

[@mrtopcat2]

Very well explained. One thing that I have yet to understand is how weight distribution hitch will work if pulled into a gas station with a bit steeper driveway. Would weight distribution have to be disconnected first or would the weight distribution setup have enough give for this not to be a problem?

[@MillersRV]

I just had a phone call about this very issue with a customer's drive way. It is usually not an issue. I have been in the RV industry for 30 years and haven't seen a single unit with a failure because of a driveway, etc. I actually looked to see if they gave a maximum grade you could travel but couldn't find anything so I think you are good to go!

[@mrtopcat2]

@@MillersRV Thank you for following up and answering my questions. 👍

[@RL-xb4gz]

This is what I was looking for.

[@MillersRV]

Glad we could help!

[@barryhall4668]

I am surprized that no one knows what to do if a caravan or large trailer starts to sway, A swaying caravan or trailer will start steering the car in either direction, Do not try to fight this as you will only make things worse, Lock your arms and steer straight ahead take your foot of the accelerator, do not apply the brakes or accelerate the vehicle, You can apply the trailer brakes if you are able. I have used this method and it does work. If the problem persists you will need to proceed at a slower speed & fit anti sway bars to your vehicle

[@MillersRV]

Good information Barry!

[@m-hadji]

Very good advises. Thanks for all. I believe you left off the chain style WDs like blue ox which as they claim they got both sway control and weight distribution figure out with no friction device. I am using one of this with my 4 runner and 3500 lbs trailer. And as I see it results is good. Although I have not been in all possible situations.

[@MillersRV]

Thank you for the feedback, Majid!

[@carligarman7241]

Thanks for the info... I'm traveling alone and my connection has become very noisy creaking super loud at slow speeds and moving off from a stop... it's quite embarrassing at the gas stations.. but idk what it is.. the stabilizers hooked on the 2nd chain link before my husband left and now the 2nd link isn't even possible to put on without assistance from the rv jack (the piece you lower when you are parked in the hitch area) and I'm afraid it's something to do with the stabilizers... but I also didn't know how tight to turn the handle on the sway bar either so maybe it's that.. I'm confused and stuck in Canada..

[@MillersRV]

Glad you reached out. Weight distributing hitches are often noisy especially at slow speeds. I'm not sure of where you are having difficulty so I thought I'd give basic order of operation for hooking the trailer to the tow vehicle. If this doesn't give you some direction then give us a call at 225-275-2940. Back the tow vehicle up and lower the trailer onto the ball, securing the catch to attach to lock onto the ball. Then raise the tongue back up using the jack to a position above level (you will be lifting the back of the tow vehicle as well), you are trying to take pressure off the spring bars to make them easier to hook up. Attach the chains to the saddles and secure the pins. Lower the trailer tongue back down and the weight should be evenly distributed. If you aren't raising the trailer tongue high enough once connected it will be very difficult to hook further up the chain. When done correctly the bars will be under a significant amount of pressure. NEVER TRY TO TAKE THE SPRING BARS LOOSE WITHOUT RAISING THE TONGUE UP TO REDUCE PRESSURE ON THE BARS!!!! THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT AS REMOVING BARS UNDER LOAD CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS!!!

[@justxbreathe]

Outstanding.

[@MillersRV]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@Cruner62]

What a complex system to control sway - this method puts immense stresses on the tow vehicle and the tongue of the trailer. The best way to prevent sway is to control the sway with forces that a generated by the combination masses. This is easily controlled using the brakes to control the sway inertia and by doing this the forces are reduced to a fraction on both trailer and tow. In addition it is assisted by using hydraulic dampers in a particular manner. I have developed the perfect solution to uncontrolled sway on overrun braking systems that beat electronic systems hands down on trailer combinations of up to 3.5 tonnes. It's called "Differential Stability" here in the UK.

[@MillersRV]

Thanks for the feedback

[@tylergaul6273]

Very good explanation

[@MillersRV]

Thanks Tyler!!

[@bputzke4256]

Do you recommended weight displacement hitches for smaller vehicles too? I have a ford escape and just got a pop up camper.

[@MillersRV]

It depends how much the pop up weighs. That may be one where you don't absolutely need it, but it will make the towing experience easier/more enjoyable.

[@donaldstrishock3923]

Thanks Jeff, you will make a" couple bucks" with this sales pitch BUT ,Save a LOT of Pain,Suffering,Death & Distruction by having "tower's" brought to this Knowledge.

[@MillersRV]

So glad we could help, Donald!

[@bluefamily3937]

how do I safely bring in my camper to have y'all set it up, if I don't know how to set up the sway control? Drive slowly until I arrive?

[@MillersRV]

Hi, can you give us a call and we can talk through options. Thanks - 225-275-2940. Jeff

[@petebowman6275]

I live in N. CA. I wish you were here cause I still don't really understand what you mean. I'm sure your presentation was done well, but I think I need a more detailed explanation. Thanks tho... I'll watch again & if I don't get it maybe there's other video that might help. Thanks.

[@MillersRV]

Hi Pete, thanks for watching! If you have any questions feel free to call us and we would love to walk you through it!

[@billjohannessen6020]

Hey Jeff- Question: If I buy an OEM brake controller for my 2022 RAM 1500, can you install it for me? Or do I need to buy it from you? Thanks!

[@MillersRV]

We can install in for you. The only negative is if the part fails during the warranty period I cannot cover the labor to replace it if we didn't purchase the part.

[@jackwsandoz]

Definitely cleared up some questions for me but *now* I want one with the L-brackets! 🤣 My trailer is V-nosed so I've only got ~ 24" available of the 2"x6" tongue beam. Do y'all carry any of the shorter-barred hitches? I'm not seeing them on the site.

[@MillersRV]

Hey Jack! So sorry, but we don't carry them. Maybe check out etrailer.com.

[@jackwsandoz]

@@MillersRV Thanks for the reply! After looking around (everywhere..) it seems there are only a few options for the V-nose and these are just not one of them 🤣. The Anderson seems to be the only choice for short tongue & integrated sway control.

[@larsharris]

I bought a V nose enclosed. I found it was easy to mount it, slightly under the V. You have to Jack up slightly more, use shorter pipe to set. But it clears, works.

[@moronibreitbart6055]

Perhaps a dumb question; assume you’re still able to reverse/park the trailer with the sway control on it?

[@MillersRV]

That's a great question. You want to remove the sway control before backing up the trailer. Leaving it on can damage the sway control unit itself.

[@perecarl12]

How tight should the sway control lever be?

[@MillersRV]

Very snug by hand is sufficient.

[@MaryOKC]

I have an 18 foot trailer and I get more sway from vehicles than from Semi trucks…but I can feel the sway from the semi just not as bad as a regular vehicle… should I get a sway bar?

[@MillersRV]

Absolutely! That's a great question!

[@brainwashingdetergent4322]

Thank Jeff!

[@MillersRV]

Thanks for watching!

[@brianhusk4593]

Does the sway control bar make it as stable as a 5th wheel?

[@MillersRV]

No it does not, Brian. It could help, though.

[@flatheadfletch]

What it you don’t need weight distribution but you do need sway control ?

[@MillersRV]

Hi Ron! You would be able to get another setup for just sway control. Great question!

[@ToddB987]

What if your trailer weighs less than 3000 lbs? Do you need it?

[@MillersRV]

It depends on the rating of the tow vehicle as compared to the weight of the trailer. Thank you for asking!

[@ToddB987]

@@MillersRV tow vehicle tops out 6500. Trailer tops out at 2800. Tongue weight is at 640 and trailer is at %15.4 at 520 lbs.

[@activemanishere]

Why can't you just set the trailer brakes to a high setting and that way when you press the brakes, the trailer brakes harder then the truck, correcting the sway?

[@MillersRV]

Setting the brakes too hard on the trailer can cause them to lock up and create more problems. A sway control really is the safer option.

[@activemanishere]

@@MillersRV thank you for the response. And for not assuming I was just being a jerk. I'm building a trailer and these are serious questions that will influence my build. My thought is just slightly more. From my limited experience with trailer brake controllers, you can set the gain incrementally. So setting the gain at say 2 or 3 out of 10, or whatever the numbers are, create that lockup just a little before you would be locking up the truck brakes if I'm understanding it right. I am assuming some experimentation with my system would need to be done to get it correct, but in theory could I not get it set well enough to be able to stop say if I encounter it? I only ask because sway control is rather expensive and I am putting a lot of money into Building a jeep and a trailer to tow it and I would rather save some money in the build if I can. Obviously loading is an important and free fix but that one time I'm complacent or mistaken, could brake controller setup save me to allow for repositioning of the load or am I barking up the wrong tree?

[@brit7296]

Love

[@MillersRV]

Thanks for watching and commenting Brit!

[@andrejordan9397]

This is Andre, Brother Bobby R. Jordan 65 and single, God - Blackman.

[@romand4649]

Wait I think the guys is wrong about central weight distribution causing sway, it’s when the back of trailer is heavier too little weight on the hitch, and then the trailer starts swaying, google it, that’s why you want a trailer balanced but little more weight towards the tongue then back to prevent sway I do like how he explains the rest!!

[@MillersRV]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@davidmatt904]

The correct answer is no you do not always need sway or weight distribution hitch if you have the correct size tow vehicle .

[@MillersRV]

Thanks for the advice and for watching, David!

[@tomdodge5198]

This isn’t an install and adjust video as advertised

[@larsharris]

Did they change the title? “ Do You Need A Weight Distribution Hitch & Sway Control?” Where does it say it’s install, adjust?

[@MillersRV]

That is our mistake, we changed our title to be more accurate. Thank you for your help!

[@MillersRV]

We did! That was our mistake, we changed our title to be more accurate. Thank you!

[@rossevans1774]

Sway bars transfer your incompatible loading to the trailer draw bar and your tuck hitch point. You should get away with doing that for a while, just keep your trailer/truck combination on level ground. Why not buy a properly engineered trailer and load it right to match your trucks upgraded suspension?

[@MillersRV]

With out weight distribution you are often not able to use the maximum capacity of your tow vehicle. For example on an f-150 without weight distribution the max tongue weight on the receiver is 500. Usually the tongue weight is roughly 10% of the trailer weight so you would be limited to towing a 5,000 lb trailer which is substantially less than the max tow capacity of 14,000 lbs on a 2022 (see link below). Also if just using a standard receiver you also do not get sway control which is a HUGE benefit of a proper set up rig. Hope this helps. www.ford.com/cmslibs/content/dam/brand_ford/en_us/brand/resources/general/pdf/guides/2022_Ford_F-150_Towing_Info_r4_Mar30.pdf)

[@DanielKE7UUM]

"New style"?? That "new style" have been around for 75 years ;)

[@MillersRV]

*NEWER! Good catch Daniel.

[@DanielKE7UUM]

@@MillersRV As a retired Tow Truck operator.i seen lots of accidents and deaths, so when it comes to towing anything, I want people to have a good understanding and safe experience:)

[@GarretKrampe]

This ONLY applies to Ancient "pig type " trailers not the more modern "dog trailers.

[@MillersRV]

Just trying to help people understand HOW a weight distribution hitch works. Must people use them and never understand what they are intended to do.