Sway Control

Sway control is a towing safety feature designed to minimize or eliminate trailer sway, which can occur when a trailer begins to rock or fishtail behind the towing vehicle. Sway can be caused by various factors, such as high winds, road conditions, or abrupt steering movements. If not properly managed, sway can make towing dangerous, leading to loss of control or even accidents. Sway control systems work by providing resistance to side-to-side movement, helping to keep the trailer in line with the towing vehicle and preventing dangerous swaying.


There are several types of sway control systems, including friction sway control, which uses a friction mechanism between the hitch and trailer to limit movement, and cam-based sway control, which uses cams or spring-loaded arms to apply force to the trailer’s movement. Some weight distribution hitches come with built-in sway control, while others can be equipped with a separate sway control unit that attaches to the hitch. Regardless of the type, sway control significantly improves towing safety by stabilizing the trailer, ensuring smoother, more predictable towing, especially in challenging conditions such as windy roads or when navigating around large trucks.