Which WDH and/or Sway Control Bar to get?

[06Warrior]

I have a 2020 Super Crew Ranger with towing package that I bought in February and we just bought a 2021 Dutchman Coleman Lantern LT 17B camper a couple of weeks ago. Overall length is 21 feet long. Dry weight is 2986# with a payload capacity of 864#. Tongue weight is 385#.

Driving it 2 hours home was a little bit unsteady and seemed to have some sway to it. It was also hard to see anything behind us. I bought towing mirrors and installed the Ford brake controller. I'm not sure on what weight distribution hitch and/or sway control bar would be ideal for my set up. Thanks for any responses.

Pictures for consideration. Empty truck and empty camper.

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[ctechbob]

My preference is the E2 Roundbar setup.

https://www.fastwaytrailer.com/e2-hitch

You would only need the 600# bars, don't think that bigger is better in this case.

 

[Grumpaw]

My preference is the Blue Ox Sway Pro system.
You are going to get a lot of feedback as to the "best". Truth is, any one of the brand name hitch set up are good....just depends on preference as to friction tupe, older chain type, ect.
You should get one as a single axle trailer is much more prone to "sway" .
Also, your 385 lb tongue weight is "dry"....figure by the time you load it up you'll be around 500 plus, so as ctechbob stated, look at a 600 lb bar set up.

 

[06Warrior]

I’ve seen some members with 800# and higher tongue capacity WDH. Not that I would exceed the 750# limit but would that not be too stiff for the camper frame possibly damaging it and cause a bad ride towing the camper with the Ranger?

 

[notsolinear]

I have nothing to compare it to, but I pull a 20’ camper and use the BlueOx Track Pro. The only time I’ve felt sway, and even had the truck’s sway protection kick in, was the one time I thought I could skip installing the bars on the hitch for a 10min interstate drive. With it used normally I can feel some pull from semi’s and things but it just feels like the truck and trailer are getting pulled together as a rigid unit.

One thing I value about the TrackPro is that you can always take the bars on and off while they’re unloaded, so there’s less risk of you getting smacked by a bar or tool under tension.

 

[EJH]

My preference is the E2 Roundbar setup.

https://www.fastwaytrailer.com/e2-hitch

You would only need the 600# bars, don't think that bigger is better in this case.

This is what I have for my setup also (Fastway E2 round 600/6000 lbs)

My trailer is 1,000 lbs more than yours, but a few feet shorter.

For visibility behind the trailer, you're going to want a rear view camera that's always on. My trailer was pre-wired for it. I have the Furion model. I place the screen on the dash tray above the Sync screen.

 

[Big Blue]

My only suggestion is get a hitch with built in sway control. Dealing with a separate friction bar that you need to remove to backup and are a pain to get adjusted consistently is a PIA.

I will plug my setup which is a Husky Centerline hitch with 4 point sway control. My rig is similar to yours, about 4000 loaded with about 500 on the hitch. I run 600 lb bars. Putting them on is simple, hook up the hitch the lift the front of the trailer and back of the truck with the tongue jack. Then install the bars and lower the tongue jack to tension the bars. I've run mine on the interstate and yes you will feel the wind and semis, but as was mentioned the trailer needs to move as a unit and not sway.

Like was said any one of the main brands will work for you. Getting it set up correctly is the key. Also do not let then sell you heavier bars than you need, 600 sounds about right. You do need to have some vertical flex in the hitch, it is the sideways flex you need to control.

 

[06Warrior]

My only suggestion is get a hitch with built in sway control. Dealing with a separate friction bar that you need to remove to backup and are a pain to get adjusted consistently is a PIA.

I will plug my setup which is a Husky Centerline hitch with 4 point sway control. My rig is similar to yours, about 4000 loaded with about 500 on the hitch. I run 600 lb bars. Putting them on is simple, hook up the hitch the lift the front of the trailer and back of the truck with the tongue jack. Then install the bars and lower the tongue jack to tension the bars. I've run mine on the interstate and yes you will feel the wind and semis, but as was mentioned the trailer needs to move as a unit and not sway.

Like was said any one of the main brands will work for you. Getting it set up correctly is the key. Also do not let then sell you heavier bars than you need, 600 sounds about right. You do need to have some vertical flex in the hitch, it is the sideways flex you need to control.

Do you have a link to the hitch setup you have?

 

[Frenchy]

You can definitely get a good weight distribution hitch. That said looking at how the truck and trailer are sitting I'm not sure how much you're going to benefit from one. To specify the Ranger really isn't squatting that much in your trailer seems to be pretty level as it is.

For sway control I would probably go for something else like an actual sway bar or better yet better shocks for your truck. The factory shocks that come on the Ford Ranger aren't exactly top quality. It would be in your best interest to look at something like Bilstein as it will help dramatically improve the feel and the suspension on the truck and most likely help you with towing control.

Having that red arc trailer brake controller installed will certainly help you with stopping. If I'm not mistaken it also has a built-in feature where you can hit the brakes on the trailer without touching the brake pedal on the truck as needed. Double check the owner's manual for it as I'm not 100% positive.

 

[ctechbob]

Do you have a link to the hitch setup you have?

The Husky is a very similar design to the E2's. I would consider them equivalent and buy based on value if that is the setup you're looking at.

 

[06Warrior]

You can definitely get a good weight distribution hitch. That said looking at how the truck and trailer are sitting I'm not sure how much you're going to benefit from one. To specify the Ranger really isn't squatting that much in your trailer seems to be pretty level as it is.

For sway control I would probably go for something else like an actual sway bar or better yet better shocks for your truck. The factory shocks that come on the Ford Ranger aren't exactly top quality. It would be in your best interest to look at something like Bilstein as it will help dramatically improve the feel and the suspension on the truck and most likely help you with towing control.

Having that red arc trailer brake controller installed will certainly help you with stopping. If I'm not mistaken it also has a built-in feature where you can hit the brakes on the trailer without touching the brake pedal on the truck as needed. Double check the owner's manual for it as I'm not 100% positive.

I agree with it is pretty much level but both are empty. Once we get gear in both and passengers it might sag quite a bit.

 

[Frenchy]

I agree with it is pretty much level but both are empty. Once we get gear in both and passengers it might sag quite a bit.

As long as you take the time to make sure your load is completely balanced chances are it won't be too bad.

 

[ctechbob]

I'm going to disagree with Frenchy here.

While not 100% necessary for that trailer, it is almost always a good idea to shift weight back onto the front of the truck, especially when towing long distances.

Also, a single axle trailer is usually more sensitive to sway and loading issues making it advantageous to just go ahead and equip the rig with one out of the gate. Not that you can ignore how you load the trailer with one, but it does free you up to put more weight toward the front of the trailer than you otherwise might, making for a more stable tow.

 

[Frenchy]

I'm going to disagree with Frenchy here.

While not 100% necessary for that trailer, it is almost always a good idea to shift weight back onto the front of the truck, especially when towing long distances.

Also, a single axle trailer is usually more sensitive to sway and loading issues making it advantageous to just go ahead and equip the rig with one out of the gate. Not that you can ignore how you load the trailer with one, but it does free you up to put more weight toward the front of the trailer than you otherwise might, making for a more stable tow.

For what it's worth at least you put reason as to why you disagree with one and I do appreciate that

 

[Big Blue]

The Husky is a very similar design to the E2's. I would consider them equivalent and buy based on value if that is the setup you're looking at.

Yes, The E2 and the Husky are very similar in design. I do not know if the E2 uses the pivots at the ball assembly as a second point of sway control like the Husky. I have the Centerline TS model which uses the friction of the bar on the "L" bracket as well as friction at the trunion head for sway control. The pivot bolts can be adjusted for torgue. That is why it is considered 4 point control.

The model I have is the Centerline TS model Number 32215 good for 6000lb towing and 600 lb tongue weight. Comes with a 2" ball installed. They make the same hitch with a 2-5/16" ball if that's what your trailer needs. Just Go to Huskytow.com

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