TM Towing Problems

We took our new 2720SD out for the first time last week. I'm towing with a Jeep Grand Cherokee 4X4 with the big V8 and trailer package. We had absolutely no problems with the mountain passes, one was over 10K feet. I kept the speed at 60 MPH and below when the speed limit was 65 and 75 (on the interstate). I limited my speed because going faster led to the onset of a noticeable sway. The trailer was lightly loaded and so was the TV since we were out for a quick three day camping trip. I'm aware that it is recommended that the bulk of the weight should be concentrated in front of the trailer axle and that's where I stowed most of the things we carried inside the trailer. However, I had the dealer install a hitch on the rear of the trailer for my bike rack and I had two mountain bikes mounted there for this trip. I just occurred to me that that could be my problem.

As a greenhorn to the trailer world, I may have shot myself in the foot. I would appreciate any constructive advice on how to deal with this fine mess I may have gotten myself into. Most of what I've read on towing the TM suggests that the TM is a dream to tow with no sway.

I am overwhelmed by the large variety of anti-sway devices and weight-distributing hitches out there. They all seem to be designed for towing trailers much larger and heavier than the 2720SD. Moreover, reading through many of the posts found here, it seems like few TrailManor owners have encountered trailer sway and when they are loaded correctly they tow like there's nothing back there without the need for anti-sway devices and weight distributing hitches.

Any words of experience and wisdom would be greatly appreciated.

ColoradoAl

[Civil_War_Buff]

I added a trailer hitch receiver to the back of my TM 2720 and I notice a small amount of sway when the two bikes are loaded. I wouldn't be too concerned at this point...just take it a little easier when hauling the bikes.

Originally Posted by Civil_War_Buff

I added a trailer hitch receiver to the back of my TM 2720 and I notice a small amount of sway when the two bikes are loaded. I wouldn't be too concerned at this point...just take it a little easier when hauling the bikes.

I get a little nervious on the Interstate doing 60 when the limit is 75.

[mjlaupp]

Al,
The 2720SD should tow without sway. I doubt that your bike rack biased the weight that much to the rear. The 2720SL & 2720SD models have an extra 50-70 pounds tongue weight that should offset the weight of the bike rack and bikes.
The other thing that will cause sway is low tire pressure. They must be pressurized to 50 psi. The independent suspension on the TM will allow the unit to start bouncing from tire to tire if the tire pressure is too low. This bouncing is turned into sway by the TV/TM hitch connection.
HTH
MJL

Al,

I installed a receiver on the rear of our TM 2619 so that I could quickly install/remove our tandem bike rack. I have definitely noticed some sway when the tandem is mounted. Fortunately, I still have the friction sway control that I used with our pop-up trailer. Due to the folding tongue of the 2619, I cannot mount the sway control on the right side of the hitch as I would like, so I have ordered a sway control adapter which will allow me move the control to the left side without much adaptation required.

Michael

One other thing to check is to make sure the rear tow vehicles tires are inflated to equal and correct pressures. Unequal pressures can also cause sway.

Originally Posted by caremd99

One other thing to check is to make sure the rear tow vehicles tires are inflated to equal and correct pressures. Unequal pressures can also cause sway.

Thanks I'll check that.

Originally Posted by TandemKids

Al,

I installed a receiver on the rear of our TM 2619 so that I could quickly install/remove our tandem bike rack. I have definitely noticed some sway when the tandem is mounted. Fortunately, I still have the friction sway control that I used with our pop-up trailer. Due to the folding tongue of the 2619, I cannot mount the sway control on the right side of the hitch as I would like, so I have ordered a sway control adapter which will allow me move the control to the left side without much adaptation required.

Michael

It's like the tail wagging the dog above 60MPH. Let me know how your
anti-sway devise works on this problem. By the way is it a Reese product?

Michael: Regarding your comment on the folding tongue problem, I am considering a sway control friction unit; and have the same type of tongue .. at least I think so. I have not seen any other TM's to compare; but is your's the one with the large pins on both sides of the A-frame that are verticle? I just got a used 2720sl and have not yet 'played' with this aspect of it as have been busy getting familiar with the rest of it.
Thanks
Paul

Originally Posted by TandemKids

Al,

I installed a receiver on the rear of our TM 2619 so that I could quickly install/remove our tandem bike rack. I have definitely noticed some sway when the tandem is mounted. Fortunately, I still have the friction sway control that I used with our pop-up trailer. Due to the folding tongue of the 2619, I cannot mount the sway control on the right side of the hitch as I would like, so I have ordered a sway control adapter which will allow me move the control to the left side without much adaptation required.

Michael

[RockyMtnRay]

Originally Posted by paul street

I am considering a sway control friction unit

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First of all, there is absolutely no need to use ANY sway control when towing a properly loaded TrailManor. As discussed earlier in this thread, TMs are inherently very sway resistant (because the axle is well behind the trailer's center of gravity) and as long as you don't put excessive weight well behind the rear bumper (typically by loading several heavy bicycles back there), sway control is totally unnecessary. In fact, TM has specifically advised members of this board to NOT use a sway control because it will mask poor loading.

Friction type sway controls are the devil's own work. If you adjust them so they're tight enough to dampen sway, they're too tight and cause major binding when you need rapid pivoting at the hitch...like going around sharp corners. If you leave them loose enough to allow proper cornering, they are useless. If they get wet during travel in rain, the friction is reduced and they become less effective. DO NOT USE A FRICTION SWAY CONTROL!!!!!!

If you absolutely feel that you must have some kind of sway control, at least get one that uses a cam-action...or a trapezoidal force (like the Hensley Hitch) instead of friction to resist (not just dampen) sway. The advantage of cam action is that it produces a countering force which tends to recenter the trailer behind the TV whenever the trailer moves off the TV/s centerline.

I used to tow my 2720SL with a very short wheelbase Jeep Cherokee (103 inch WB). I never experienced the slightest amount of sway with that TV/trailer combo....even while meeting semi-trucks on 2-lane roads in 50 mph crosswinds. The reason is I always made sure I had the TM properly loaded with minimal weight behind the axle...my hitch weight was around 520 lbs.

Therefore, all you need to tow a 2720SL is a plain (without sway control) but heavy duty WDH (weight distributing hitch)...get one with at least 750 lb spring bars. I have the swing away tongue option on my '02 2720SL and find that Reese WDH bar mounts work just fine...there's no conflict with the swing away hardware. And IMO, a WDH is mandatory for towing a 2720SL if the TV is any half-ton truck/SUV or smaller...and it's a good idea even if the TV is a 3/4 ton truck/SUV.