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Sway Control Advice/Experience please.

My family and I just completed a 3200 mile, Maine to Wisconsin and back. This was our first extended trip with our 2024 251BH, providing a great opportunity to get acquainted with the trailer and how it tows behind our 2022 Ford F-250 Diesel Crew Cab. We’ve discovered that trailer sway is an issue that I’d like to address before our next adventure. The sway wasn’t white knuckle level, but more a general concern for others on the highway. Many years of towing experience with trailers up to 48’ behind DRW 350’s, and have experience with weight distribution monitoring and correction. My load leveling hitch is an Fastway e2 Trunnion, sized by my Camping World retailer when I bought the trailer.

Looking for thoughts regarding effectiveness of add-on sway control units like Curt offers?

Thanks in advance for sharing with me.

Phil Rowe
 

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2 Allies

Well-known member
We had a 10000 lb Equalizer 4-point weight distribution hitch with sway control and our 8500 lb travel trailer behaved itself. It had up to a 1000lb tongue weight as well. They make heavier ones too.

Hope this helps,

Bruce
 
We pulled our 2024 294rk (34ft travel trailer) for the first time last month, from Phoenix to Washington and man oh man.... white knuckle driving for sure!
We pulled it with our 2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty Platinum Diesel with a weight distribution hitch and sway control bars. We live in our RV full-time and we think there is a possibility we overloaded the trailer. We tried redistributing the weight from items in the kitchen and moving them into the bedroom so there would be more weight towards the truck but it did not help. It doesn't help that we have a rear kitchen because the majority of the weight will always be in the rear of the RV causing it to sway. We eventually hired someone to tow the RV for us through the mountain passes in Idaho and Washington because we felt like we did not have the experience or the nerve to pull it after the amount of sway we experienced.
We have yet to pull it again as we are stationary in Washington for the time being. Sorry this isn't much help but it is nice to know someone else is experiencing sway like this.
 

BryanValRox

Well-known member
We pulled our 2024 294rk (34ft travel trailer) for the first time last month, from Phoenix to Washington and man oh man.... white knuckle driving for sure!
We pulled it with our 2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty Platinum Diesel with a weight distribution hitch and sway control bars. We live in our RV full-time and we think there is a possibility we overloaded the trailer. We tried redistributing the weight from items in the kitchen and moving them into the bedroom so there would be more weight towards the truck but it did not help. It doesn't help that we have a rear kitchen because the majority of the weight will always be in the rear of the RV causing it to sway. We eventually hired someone to tow the RV for us through the mountain passes in Idaho and Washington because we felt like we did not have the experience or the nerve to pull it after the amount of sway we experienced.
We have yet to pull it again as we are stationary in Washington for the time being. Sorry this isn't much help but it is nice to know someone else is experiencing sway like this.
Hi folks congratulations on your purchase, based on your post the only way to effectively resolve your issue is to approach your complaint with data. This starts by knowing the ratings and weight of your truck and the weights and ratings of your Delta. I would suggest that you locate your nearest CAT Scale(many truck stops are equipped) and spend the 13.00 or so plus a smaller reweigh fee and document your numbers.
Be sure to weight in the same condition that you would normally travel, including fuel and family members on board when you weigh.
If you never have used a scale, normally there are 3 separate platforms that you pull onto. Position the truck front axle on the very front platform, ensure the trucks rear axle is on the second platform and both of the trailer axles get positioned on the third platform, just move forward or back to position your rig accordingly. Once you have your combination weight, you can pull off unhook the trailer and come back to the scale with just the truck and reweigh in the same condition as your first weigh, less the trailer of course.
Once your are armed with your numbers , you can compare to your specs or provide this information to a hitch professional for recommendations.
I will share friends of ours have a 2024 Delta RK as well and they have said it pulls like a dream with their F250.
I am unsure of their numbers or ratings of their hitch and sway bars. They are weekend warriors, not full timers like you, so I would guess there is a substantial weight difference.
Research and factual data will lead you to a solution.
 

k&N_294rk

New member
My family and I just completed a 3200 mile, Maine to Wisconsin and back. This was our first extended trip with our 2024 251BH, providing a great opportunity to get acquainted with the trailer and how it tows behind our 2022 Ford F-250 Diesel Crew Cab. We’ve discovered that trailer sway is an issue that I’d like to address before our next adventure. The sway wasn’t white knuckle level, but more a general concern for others on the highway. Many years of towing experience with trailers up to 48’ behind DRW 350’s, and have experience with weight distribution monitoring and correction. My load leveling hitch is an Fastway e2 Trunnion, sized by my Camping World retailer when I bought the trailer.

Looking for thoughts regarding effectiveness of add-on sway control units like Curt offers?

Thanks in advance for sharing with me.

Phil Rowe
I'm not one to do a lot of posts, but I thought I would chime in on this conversation to share my experience and what I did to eliminate the sway I was encountering. On my maiden trip towing my 294rk from Maryland to Florida, I also faced the significant sway issues that you are talking about. The journey took much longer than anticipated due to the excessive sway. I almost considered buying a new truck at one of the dealers along the route as I thought at the time my current truck wasn't capable enough for the haul. Throughout the trip down to Florida, I couldn't exceed 50 mph. I have a 2021 Ram Bighorn with a tow package rated to tow 11,400lbs, along with an E2 Trunnion 10,000lbs weight distribution hitch. Despite this, the excessive sway persisted. However, after speaking with fellow campers, I learned that keeping my freshwater tank full while towing could reduce the sway. Indeed, after filling the freshwater tank before the return journey, the sway was eliminated. I suspect the rear-heavy design of the 294rk, particularly due to the rear kitchen, might be causing the sway. I believe that the location of the freshwater tank, possibly at the center mass of the unit or slightly in front of the axles, helped distribute the weight and eliminate the sway. I know the topic of keeping the freahwater tank full while traveling is a controversial one, but I will have to say it made a world of difference for me. Before every long trip now, I make sure I fill the tank, and I can now flow with traffic with no issues doing 60-65 mph with no sway. I have traveled this way for over 4000 miles since that dreadful first journey. I hope this information finds you well and helps.

Keith Marks
 

Midnight Rider

Well-known member
We pulled our 2024 294rk (34ft travel trailer) for the first time last month, from Phoenix to Washington and man oh man.... white knuckle driving for sure!
We pulled it with our 2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty Platinum Diesel with a weight distribution hitch and sway control bars. We live in our RV full-time and we think there is a possibility we overloaded the trailer. We tried redistributing the weight from items in the kitchen and moving them into the bedroom so there would be more weight towards the truck but it did not help. It doesn't help that we have a rear kitchen because the majority of the weight will always be in the rear of the RV causing it to sway. We eventually hired someone to tow the RV for us through the mountain passes in Idaho and Washington because we felt like we did not have the experience or the nerve to pull it after the amount of sway we experienced.
We have yet to pull it again as we are stationary in Washington for the time being. Sorry this isn't much help but it is nice to know someone else is experiencing sway like this.
Any time that trailer feels to start swaying out of control pump your trailer break leaver and it will snap that trailer back to attention! 🫡🫡🫡
Per Bryan you have to get all you weights lined out to effectively address the unbalanced load.
 

Lantley

Well-known member
To eliminate your sway. You need to go to a CAT scale and weigh your combo. The critical part is knowing your tongue weight.
From there you need to invest in a Propride or Hensley hitch.
They are both superior to any friction based hitch.
 

Austin Alliance

Well-known member
My family and I just completed a 3200 mile, Maine to Wisconsin and back. This was our first extended trip with our 2024 251BH, providing a great opportunity to get acquainted with the trailer and how it tows behind our 2022 Ford F-250 Diesel Crew Cab. We’ve discovered that trailer sway is an issue that I’d like to address before our next adventure. The sway wasn’t white knuckle level, but more a general concern for others on the highway. Many years of towing experience with trailers up to 48’ behind DRW 350’s, and have experience with weight distribution monitoring and correction. My load leveling hitch is an Fastway e2 Trunnion, sized by my Camping World retailer when I bought the trailer.

Looking for thoughts regarding effectiveness of add-on sway control units like Curt offers?

Thanks in advance for sharing with me.

Phil Rowe
Phil, when you attach your trailer to the truck do you have any sag? Do you use air bags or SumoSprings/Timberen? I have a 252RL which I know is lighter than your 251BH, and my 2022 GMC 2500HD Sierra sagged about 2 1/2 inches. I put on the Timbered suspension enhancement and I only sag about an inch now. The ride is much better especially over bumps, no sway even in 35mph winds. I agree with the others, you need to know where your numbers are at on a CAT scale...
 
Phil, when you attach your trailer to the truck do you have any sag? Do you use air bags or SumoSprings/Timberen? I have a 252RL which I know is lighter than your 251BH, and my 2022 GMC 2500HD Sierra sagged about 2 1/2 inches. I put on the Timbered suspension enhancement and I only sag about an inch now. The ride is much better especially over bumps, no sway even in 35mph winds. I agree with the others, you need to know where your numbers are at on a CAT scale...
Thanks for the response. We returned from another extended trip last night and I'm happy to report that I seem to be working toward a much more stable ride. Prior to leaving this time I went through the set-up procedure for the load leveling hitch. I discovered many very loose bolts on the trailer brackets for the 800 lb springs. I set all these bolts to spec torque rating, and enjoyed a much more stable tow this time around. I'll get the rig to the scales soon as well. I'll also consider suspension enhancements too.

Still super happy with the trailer in general. Even more pleased with the help others have offered.
 

BryanValRox

Well-known member
Thanks for the response. We returned from another extended trip last night and I'm happy to report that I seem to be working toward a much more stable ride. Prior to leaving this time I went through the set-up procedure for the load leveling hitch. I discovered many very loose bolts on the trailer brackets for the 800 lb springs. I set all these bolts to spec torque rating, and enjoyed a much more stable tow this time around. I'll get the rig to the scales soon as well. I'll also consider suspension enhancements too.

Still super happy with the trailer in general. Even more pleased with the help others have offered.
Glad your ride is improving, on the other hand very concerned you found multiple bolts loose on your hitch. Glad you were able to get things torqued to spec. I would be inclined to have a conversation with whom ever was responsible for the installation ( even it was myself😂). Enjoy your improved ride!!
 
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