[VAC] Towing - Sway Control

[Gary Quamen <gquamen@xxxxxxxx>]

Hi folks:

I recently completed a trip of about 800 miles.  I noticed something that 
I would appreciate getting some feedback from the group on.

Since day one with this trailer ('67 Safari 22) I have always used an 
EAZ-Lift sway controller in addition to the weight distributing hitch.  
Many times I got the queasy feeling that the trailer was forcing me to 
oversteer.  Not bad, but noticeable.  Lately, I noticed it a lot in the 
rolling mountain downhill turns, like I couldn't set a solid curve.  I 
felt like I was sashaying back and forth a little bit through the turns. 
Tail wagging the dog sort of thing.  Normal trailer effects?

On the way home, at a gas-up, I noticed the controller hanging by one 
end. The hitch pin on the trailer end was missing.  What caused that I 
don't know, but I had just made pretty sharp  u-turn to get into the  
station.

Naturally, the spare hitch pins were on my workbench at home.  So I 
decided to go without the controller for the rest of the way  
(~150 miles).  The trailer never handled better. I hardly knew it was 
there (except going up hill).  

It appears that the controller was interfering with the steering process 
by causing resistance to the small steering moves.  Building up force and 
then releasing, over and over.

I didn't have it set particularly tight (snugged-up and back ~1 turn).  
If it isn't somewhat snug, it won't dampen sway.  Catch 22.

Question:

1.  Do any of you have any thoughts on this?

2.  Do any of you with trailers in this size range even use one?

Thanks,

GQ '67 Safari
   '92 Ford F-150 4WD Pickup w/ Tow Package