MudChucker
Winnipeg Manitoba
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Joined: 03/07/2008
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trailer = Springdale 292 BHLS rated on keystones site at 31.2 feet
tow vehicle = 1991 F150 302 CC mostly stock rebuilt engine and transmission
let me start by saying, Im aware this truck is not an adequate tow vehicle my 3/4 ton was written off and I only just settled with insurance and have not bought another truck yet... So, Im using my farm truck for short trips for the time being...as far as legalese.. Im 681.7 pounds at the tongue loaded so well within spec for a 1/2 ton...with the extra leaf spring, the truck settles about an inch front and back when all hooked up...
having said all that...and recognizing that some form of sway control would should be used I opted to go with 2 friction sway control bars 80 buks a pair off ebay....
currently I only have one installed...
friday we had a good solid 20 mile per hour wind gusting to 40 miles per hour... so I packed up the family and we headed out...
first, I towed with the sway control, down the road 55 miles per hour I could feel the gusting wind but that was all, I knew the trailer was back there but had no problems...I had more troubles overcoming the head on winds then I did the broadside winds...
after about 10 miles of driving I pulled over and unhooked the sway control... after getting back up to 55 miles per hour (and a few white knuckle moments) I had one gust push the trailer over onto the gravel shoulder...I was sure we were going into the ditch but was able to power out...I towed for a few more miles, maybe 5...and opted to hook the sway control back up...
the difference with only 1 sway control was night and day...for you folks who are on the fence, or don't have the budget for a straight-line or a Hensley, the friction sway controls really do work..
with the sway control on, they are tight, very tight.. I couldnt believe I was able to turn or back up...but nothing bent (as was suggested in another thread) but it did make some creaking and clunking noises when coming out of a turn, or first backing up.
I cant wait to get a bracket fab'ed up so I can attach the left control...
cheers folks.
2006 Springdale 292BHLS
2007 GMC Sierra 2500HD SLT 6.0
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jmcnab
Toronto Ontario Canada
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Joined: 11/19/2007
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this was my experience also with our previous trailer and friction sway control. we bought a bit bigger trailer and changed to an equalizer hitch and like even better than the friction.
02 Yukon Denali XL
08 KZ Spree 324BHS
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Otar
Omaha, NE
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Joined: 04/06/2008
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I've got a 30' Greywolf behind my F150 with a single sway bar. Thanks for the report of with and with out. I dont have the guts yet to try mine with out the sway on it. With some of the wind we get on the flat lands I'm wondering if what I have is enough.
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SuperDutyMan
Western PA.
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Joined: 02/23/2008
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Have used friction sway for years with 3 different TTs,never had any problems,I do not take off when backing up or turning sharply,again no problems.If it isn't broke don't fix it.
2008 Keystone Cougar XLite 29RLS
2006 Super Duty V10 6 Speed 4.10S Tow Command Tow Pkg. 4X4
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samsontdog
Sac. Ca summer, Yuma Az winter
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Joined: 08/06/2002
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SuperDutyMan wrote:Have used friction sway for years with 3 different TTs,never had any problems,I do not take off when backing up or turning sharply,again no problems.If it isn't broke don't fix it.
Same as above except I have towed many more than 3 TT. I use only one friction sway bar towing a 34 ft TT at the present time. I have never had a need for two bars. I am a firm believer of using sway bar
even on my enclosed cargo trailer that I haul my MC in. Also use on my flat bed trailer, cargo trailer when I haul sand etc
samsontdog 
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fla-gypsy
North Florida
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Joined: 04/19/2005
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The trailer is too long for friction sway control, get the Dual Cam and get it under control. A bigger tow vehicle will add a lot of stability as well.
05 Super Duty XLT CC 5.4/3.73 5 sp auto Torqshift
06 Keystone Hornet 29 RLS/(The"Cracker Cabana")
Reese HP Dual Cam
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skipnchar
Topeka Kansas USA
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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Sounds like you did pretty good but anti sway devices aren't SUPPOSED to be used primarily to help you handle cross winds. Their actual PURPOSE is to protect you from a trailer sway event. I HOPE they adequate in case THAT ever happens. with two you should have about the same holding power as an Equalizer so probably won't have too much of a problem but don't confuse cross winds with trailer sway. good luck / Skip
2004 F-150 HD 3,050 lb. payload
Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
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muddy princess sara
ohio
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Joined: 12/02/2007
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we have a 38 ft tt that we opted to put 2 sway bars on. We just ran out of money before we knew we really needed a sway system. So far we haven't had any problems. No sucking into big trucks as they pass. Altho with cross winds it feels like its a firmer push of the wind b/c were so big. But not anything that would make us write home about. Altho we do know its back there... with 38 ft of trailer we cut extra wide and take extra caution before we pull into anything were unsure we can get out of.
There is no way in H E DOUBLE HOCKY STICKS i would ever even think about taking those bars off till we are due to back into a site. Actually my husband likes taking them off before we back, that way he can get out look the site over and get a feel for where he wants things.
I know everyone has there hitch they like and done like and there extras that make theirs tow better, but for us, this set up works. who knows in 2 years we may upgrade and see a world of diffrence, if thats the case so be it.
I just say do the best you can and happy camping.
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javaseuf
Southern Cal
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Joined: 03/30/2005
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fla-gypsy wrote:The trailer is too long for friction sway control, get the Dual Cam and get it under control. A bigger tow vehicle will add a lot of stability as well.
Reading the original post, it doesn't sound like there is anything to get under control. The poster is happy with the performance with the single sway control.
I have a 30' Keystone and also bought two friction sway controls from eBay and I couldn't be happier with the towing capability.
I have used the Reese Dual Cam many years ago with a 27' TT and that set-up was also nice but other than the self-centering feature, I don't see any difference as far as sway issues between the two designs. But that's just me.
Steve
2007 Springdale 291RKL
2003 F150 King Ranch
2001 Dodge Van w/Wheelchair Ramp
1991 Palomino Mustang PUP
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LeeShearer
Royersford, PA
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Joined: 01/25/2006
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681 pounds seems a little light for a 31 foot trailer.
2005 Fleetwood Resort EXT 25SB
1999 Chevy K3500 short bed dually
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