New to trailers, new advice on starter cargo style

[ntsqd]

Sway damping is that second, little ball that you sometimes see off to the right side of the tow ball. There is what is best described as a "linear brake" that attaches to the small ball and to a similar ball on the trailer's tongue. It is a flat box of steel lined with friction material that a flat plate slides in and out of when turning. One of the sides of the box floats and has a wing bolt to adjust the force.

Apparently some mfg's have incorporated sway control into the load equalizing hitch (those bars seen under the tongue in the above image). I'm not familiar with them.

 

[Redline]

I've never seen a 'sway control' friction device on such a small, light trailer. I have and use one on my 30-ft travel trailer, but not on my smaller trailers.

Not only are they not really practical or desirable on a smaller trailer, they won't allow an off-highway coupling to work and flex as designed (like a Lock N Roll).

With 3.73 gears you will be fine with a lighter trailer, all the way up to an AT Chaser. The loose nut behind the wheel makes all the difference. Read and learn about proper towing and driving techniques and all should be fine.

 

[osros]

I've never seen a 'sway control' friction device on such a small, light trailer. I have and use one on my 30-ft travel trailer, but not on my smaller trailers.

Not only are they not really practical or desirable on a smaller trailer, they won't allow an off-highway coupling to work and flex as designed (like a Lock N Roll).

With 3.73 gears you will be fine with a lighter trailer, all the way up to an AT Chaser. The loose nut behind the wheel makes all the difference. Read and learn about proper towing and driving techniques and all should be fine.

Im not sure either how Jeep is implementing the sway damping, all the OEM and aftermarket Hitch hardware has no additional hardware for sway. Perhaps its a electronic control already bulit in?

 

[R_Lefebvre]

Perhaps its a electronic control already bulit in?

Not a chance. I'm sure it's just a tab on the hitch to which you can bolt the anti-sway device on the trailer coupler.

 

[Redline]

I don't think they are. I think it's marketing speak.

Im not sure either how Jeep is implementing the sway damping, all the OEM and aftermarket Hitch hardware has no additional hardware for sway. Perhaps its a electronic control already bulit in?

 

[jagular7]

If you keep the trailer frame and box to 4-600#s, that is easy accomplished, the only other problem you would have is the backing up of the trailer. You tongue will more than likely be too short. Since the 08 JKs are 5" wider than the TJ, you won't be able to easily see it either.
I would look at keeping the ride height at near 18" or so as well or even with the ball in the hitch frame.
To determine the optimum length of the tongue, measure the wheelbase of the tow vehicle. The distance of the tongue to the trailer axle should be nearly the same. I wouldn't go under 75% of the wheelbase length, otherwise, you won't be able to back up. The trailer would fish tale.

I have 2 97 TJs and pull upwards of 2000# with both of them. 1 is a 4cyl on 35s (4.88s/lockers in the axles) and the other a 6cyl on 30s (stock 3.07s). Biggest problem I have is the braking, especially on the stock 6cyl axles.

 

[ntsqd]

I've backed up a very short generator trailer with a 129" WB Suburban. It isn't easy, but it can be done. So while the >75% of WB RoT is a good one, don't kill yourself trying to make it happen.

 

[osros]

Thanks for the info. I will be doing alot of practicing when I do have a trailer setup since it will be my first time using one.

If I cant see the trailer would maybe a permanent small flag on the center rear of the trailer viewable in the rear view mirror be a useful aid?

 

[granitex1]

I used to have one on mine, but after a very short time just took it off. It was more a hinderance than anything else. Using a short trailer just takes a little getting used to.

One thing that was mentioned earlier is about the 2k vs 3.5k axle. Mine had 2k on it when I made it, lasted a grand total of one season. both sides had the bearings go, with one of them seizing the castle not to the bearing itself. The tire never stopped turning, but was a mess to change. The 3.5k tows so much better than the 2k I should have done that way from the beginning.

Good looking build, cant wait to see it when it is done.

 

[osros]

I used to have one on mine, but after a very short time just took it off. It was more a hinderance than anything else. Using a short trailer just takes a little getting used to.

One thing that was mentioned earlier is about the 2k vs 3.5k axle. Mine had 2k on it when I made it, lasted a grand total of one season. both sides had the bearings go, with one of them seizing the castle not to the bearing itself. The tire never stopped turning, but was a mess to change. The 3.5k tows so much better than the 2k I should have done that way from the beginning.

Good looking build, cant wait to see it when it is done.

Thanks, I also read that about the axle, some bending and not lasting long. I will keep that in mind when I pick a rig. I wish I had the time and know how to build my own but I guess I will be buying one of the premade deals, just need to find one that I can afford.

 

[granitex1]

For a couple hundred bucks you can get a custom axle delivered to your door, with the bolt pattern, weight, and hub to hub measurement that you want. That way you can really get whatever trailer that you want and add the better axle later.

 

[scarysharkface]

Im not sure either how Jeep is implementing the sway damping, all the OEM and aftermarket Hitch hardware has no additional hardware for sway. Perhaps its a electronic control already bulit in?

I believe it is part of the Electronic Stability Program, and probably takes the dealer 2 seconds to enable. If I understand correctly, it senses sway and automatically applies differential braking (left or right side, NOT at the differential as the name may imply) as needed to correct...

John

 

[Outback]

It would just be easier and cheaper to stow the 400 lbs of gear on your jeep.

 

[milpigjk]

I have an 07 JK 2dr. I do not have the factory tow package. I have towed about 2500lbs a few times. Yes I did need to turn off my esp. I am not talking the partial off that can be achieved with the button. I am talking about the little known full off that can be achieved by following these instructions...

Use this link: http://www.jpmagazine.com/techarticles/electrical/154_0905_wrangler_control_system/index.html

Loaded properly the JK is able to handle 2500+lbs in a trailer. The concerns with the JK are the very soft rear spring rate, I fixed this with 4dr rear springs. Every one is also concerned with the braking system. The JK has an oversize braking system, WAY oversized for what it needs.

(edit: little known fact: there are over 70 factory spring rates for the JK. This is probably what sway controll refers to.)

Necessary disclaimer due to our sue happy society..... I am only telling you what I have done. Obviously I am not a Chrysler engineer, If any advice I give you fails I take no responsibility as it is only my opinion and what I have done.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

You had to disable ESP for towing? Why exactly? Just curious, I did a lot of towing with an ESP equiped Focus and never had any issues.