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Old 05-07-2005, 07:49 AM   #1
John in CT
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Default Sway Control

I have a 2005 (3023) with a Reese 12,000/750wd hitch. I ordered a 2" receiver which is frame mounted on the back of the TM for my Thule bike rack (capacity, 4 bikes). The bike rack alone weighs 43#. I think I will need some form of sway control. Any recommendations?

Thanks

John in CT
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Old 05-07-2005, 09:00 AM   #2
RockyMtnRay
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Default Dual Cam sway control is far better than friction

Quote:
Originally Posted by John in CT
I have a 2005 (3023) with a Reese 12,000/750wd hitch. I ordered a 2" receiver which is frame mounted on the back of the TM for my Thule bike rack (capacity, 4 bikes). The bike rack alone weighs 43#. I think I will need some form of sway control. Any recommendations?
Certainly hanging a bike rack and several bikes off the rear of a TM has the potential to greatly reduce its inherent sway resistance and could make it somewhat sway prone. The operative word is "could". Whether or you not you actually get sway after you load several bikes on the back of your 3023 depends on many variables...how many bikes you load on the rack (and how heavy they are); how the 3023 is loaded (e.g. how much heavy stuff...including water...is ahead of the axle vs in the storage area behind the axle); how long and heavy your tow vehicle is (particularly the ratio of wheelbase to rear overhang), etc.

Before you go through the hassles and expense of buying/installing anti-sway, I'd do a test trip with your tow vehicle and TM loaded normally with the typical number/weight of bikes mounted on the rack. Be sure to do at least a little driving at higher speed (over 70 mph) as the potential for sway is always higher at higher speed. If you have no detectable sway even at higher speed, then you probably will be fine.

However, if you do have some sway tendancy, then I'd definitely recommend stepping up to the full Dual Cam anti-sway. By contrast to simple (inexpensive) friction anti sway, the cam action actually causes a centering force to forestall the onset of sway (which is technically an unwanted pivoting of the trailer around the hitch ball) instead of resisting through mere drag after it's already started. Furthermore, the centering force of the cams will continuously fight the sway by trying to push the trailer back to a centered position behind the tow vehicle...by comparison the friction device will actually resist (instead of help) recentering of the trailer. And furthermore, while friction devices really should be disconnected for sharp turning (e.g. backing into a campsite), the cam devices don't particularly need to be. Also the cam devices are not effected by rain/wet roads (the water reduces the friction of a friction device), etc. Cam anti-sway is just plain a whole lot better than a friction sway resistance.
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Ray

I use my TM as a base camp for hiking, kayaking, mountain biking, and climbing Colorado's 14ers


The Trailer: 2002 TM Model 2720SL ( Mods: Solar Panels (170 Watts), Dual T-105 Batteries, Electric Tongue Jack, Side AC, Programmable Thermostat, Doran TP Monitor System)

The Tow Vehicle: 2003 Toyota Tundra V8 SR5 4X4 w/Tow Package (Towing & Performance Mods: JBA Headers, Gibson Muffler, 4.30 gears, Michelin LTX M/S Tires, Prodigy Brake Controller, Transmission Temperature Gauge)


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Old 05-08-2005, 06:09 AM   #3
John in CT
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Default Anti Sway

Thank you very much for the advice. I will do a test run as you advised without the device.

John in CT
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