Every travel trailer owner has felt it. A semi passes on the other side, the trailer starts to move, and for a second the whole rig feels like it is deciding something you have not approved. The best sway control hitches for travel trailers are not gadgets you add after that happens. They are the piece of hardware that decides, in advance, whether the trailer can ever push your truck sideways.
We spent weeks reading owner reviews, comparing ratings and capacity figures, and arguing about which control technology actually matters on a road with real crosswind. Ten hitches made the final cut, spanning the budget tier through the heavy-duty class. Every one of them carries a real rating and a real number of owner reviews, and we have flagged the limitations honestly rather than pretending every trailer and every truck is a match.
Before you read further, one thing matters more than the brand name on the hitch box: your loaded tongue weight. Get that number right and a mid-range hitch will outperform a premium one set up incorrectly. If you want the short version, start with the quick picks below, then come back for the measurements that decide everything.
We also test and write about a lot of other gear, from motion control systems for filmmakers to color grading control surfaces, pickleball paddles for control players and tennis rackets built for spin and control. The method is the same in every case: read the owner data, check the specifications against the stated use, and say plainly where something falls short.
Table of Contents
- Quick Picks: The 3 Sway Control Hitches Worth Buying in 2026
- Best Sway Control Hitches for Travel Trailers (October 2026)
- 1. Camco Eaz-Lift Elite 48058: Best Overall Weight Distribution Hitch with Manual Sway Control
- 2. CURT 17063 Round Bar Weight Distribution Hitch: Best Value for Full-Size Trailers
- 3. Equal-i-zer 90-00-1000 Four-Point Sway Control Kit: Most Versatile for Long Trailers
- 4. CURT 17500 TruTrack 4P: Best for Crosswind and Passing Semis
- 5. Blue Ox BXW1000 SwayPro: Best for Quiet Operation
- 6. Andersen 3324: Best Grease-Free Design That Backs Up Without Disconnecting
- 7. Blue Ox BXW1500 SwayPro: Best for Heavy Tongue Weight
- 8. Fastway e2 Two-Point Round Bar Hitch: Best for Small Trailers and Easy Backing Up
- 9. CURT 17422 Short Trunnion Bar Hitch: Best for Tight Frame Clearance
- 10. XtremepowerUS 22005: Best Budget Pick for a Complete Kit
- How to Measure Your Loaded Tongue Weight
- How to Choose the Right Sway Control Hitch
- Sway Control vs Weight Distribution vs Electronic Sway Control
- Installation, Pre-Loading and Common Mistakes
- When to Release Sway Control Tension
- Causes of Trailer Sway a Hitch Will Not Fix
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best anti-sway hitch for a camper?
- What is the best hitch for a travel trailer overall?
- Do weight distribution hitches stop sway?
- What is the most common cause of trailer sway?
- Can you put too much tension on weight distribution bars?
- Should I disable my truck’s electronic sway control when using a weight distribution hitch?
- Can you back up a travel trailer with a sway control hitch attached?
- Do I need sway control for a small travel trailer?
- What happens if tongue weight is too heavy?
- Conclusion: The Best Sway Control Hitches for Travel Trailers in 2026
Quick Picks: The 3 Sway Control Hitches Worth Buying in 2026
Camco Eaz-Lift Elite 48058
- 1200 lb tongue weight and 12000 lb GTW
- External clamp-adjusted sway control
- Ready-to-tow ball and U-bolt package
- Spring bars mount on either side of the head
CURT 17063 Round Bar WD Hitch
- 10000-14000 lb GTW and 1000-1400 lb TW
- Integrated grease zerks in the head
- Forged round steel spring bars
- Flippable 2 inch shank for drop or rise
Equal-i-zer 90-00-1000 4-Point
- 10000 lb GTW and 1000 lb tongue weight
- Integrated four-point sway control
- Works with nearly all bumper-pull trailers
- Ball sold separately
Best Sway Control Hitches for Travel Trailers (October 2026)
| Product | Specs | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Camco Eaz-Lift Elite 48058 |
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| CURT 17063 Round Bar WD Hitch |
|
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 CURT 17500 TruTrack 4P |
|
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| Equal-i-zer 90-00-1000 4-Point |
|
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 Blue Ox BXW1000 SwayPro |
|
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 Andersen 3324 |
|
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| Blue Ox BXW1500 SwayPro |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Fastway e2 2-Point Round Bar |
|
Check Latest Price |
 CURT 17422 Short Trunnion |
|
Check Latest Price |
 XtremepowerUS 22005 |
|
Check Latest Price |
1. Camco Eaz-Lift Elite 48058: Best Overall Weight Distribution Hitch with Manual Sway Control
Camco Eaz-Lift Elite 1,000lb Weight Distribution Hitch Kit with Manually Adjusted Sway Control – Ready-to-Tow with Pre-Installed Hitch Ball, Sway Control Ball, U-Bolts, & Chain Package (48058)
1200 lb TW / 12000 lb GTW
External clamp sway control
Ready-to-tow ball and U-bolts
One year limited warranty
Pros
- Highest owner rating and largest review base in the group
- Arrives with ball
- sway control ball
- U-bolts and chain pre-installed
- Interchangeable spring bars fit on either side of the hitch head
- Effective leveling and sway reduction at highway speed
Cons
- Instructions are hard to follow and many owners rely on videos
- Noisy sway bar in sharp turns
- Factory shank rise can be too short for high-frame trailers
We kept coming back to this one, not because of anything clever about the design but because of the volume of owner feedback behind it. More than 2,100 reviews averaging 4.7 stars is a much safer place to spend an afternoon than a smaller, higher-spec unit with a thin evidence base. If a hitch design has a chronic flaw, two thousand owners will find it.
What Camco actually did well here was remove work. The 2-5/16 inch hitch ball, sway control ball, U-bolts and chain arrive already installed and torqued. That single decision removes the fiddliest, most error-prone part of a weight distribution install and leaves you with the two adjustments that genuinely matter: bar height and bar angle.
The capacity numbers are the real strength. Up to 1,200 lb of tongue weight and 12,000 lb of gross trailer weight puts it in the middle of this group rather than the bottom, which matters for a loaded 28 to 32 foot trailer. The external sway control uses a clamp adjustment rather than a spring, so the resistance is something you set yourself and can back off when conditions call for it.
One design detail is genuinely clever. The interchangeable spring bars can be mounted on either side of the hitch head, so the same kit can follow you to a trailer with a different frame geometry, and can be reconfigured if you switch tow vehicles or change tire size later. Among the hitches here, few adapt that easily to a setup you have not measured twice.
Who will like this hitch most
Owners upgrading a mid-size bumper-pull travel trailer who want the shortest path from box to highway. The 1,200 lb tongue weight rating covers a wide range of conventional travel trailers, and the review pattern we read describes exactly the outcome buyers hope for: a level rig, a calmer ride, and much less drama when a semi passes.
It also suits anyone who plans to change tow vehicle or tires. The reversible bar mounting and the externally adjustable sway control mean this kit is not a dead end when your setup changes.
Where owners report problems
The instructions are the most common complaint, and the pattern is consistent enough to plan around. Many owners say they finished the install with help from a video or an experienced neighbor, and you should assume the same. Budget a couple of hours and a 3/4 inch torque wrench with a large socket rather than expecting a garage job.
The second recurring note is noise from the sway bar at sharp turn angles, which is a characteristic of manually adjustable friction-style control. A small number of units also shipped with worn or defective hitch and locking pins, so inspect the hardware the day it arrives rather than on the first campground. Finally, the factory shank rise is short enough that some high-frame trailers need an extension.
2. CURT 17063 Round Bar Weight Distribution Hitch: Best Value for Full-Size Trailers
CURT 17063 Round Bar Weight Distribution Hitch with Sway Control, 14,000 lb
10000-14000 lb GTW
1000-1400 lb TW
Integrated grease zerks
Flippable 2 inch shank
Pros
- Levels the tow vehicle and noticeably smooths the ride
- Integrated grease zerks make routine maintenance simple
- Wide capacity range fits many bumper-pull travel trailers
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Sway control must be detached for backing up
- Round bars are noisy when backing up or turning
- Needs periodic greasing of the zerks
This is the one we would put in the truck of a family towing a 30 foot trailer on a half-ton or three-quarter-ton, and the reasoning is unglamorous: it does the core job well, it is built from forged steel, and it is covered by a limited lifetime warranty rather than a one-year term. The hitch head and the bars are the parts that take the load, and this is where the money went.
The capacity range is unusually flexible for the price band. Rated from 10,000 up to 14,000 lb GTW and 1,000 to 1,400 lb of tongue weight, limited by whichever component you combine it with, so the same hitch can serve a smaller trailer behind a light truck or a heavier combination when matched correctly. That range is why it ranked second in its category at the time we checked.
The integrated grease zerks in the hitch head are a small feature with an outsized effect on ownership. Spring bar mounts on a round bar design are the wear point that most often goes dry and starts making noise. Being able to hit every mount with a grease gun from outside the head keeps that from happening, and owners call the resulting ride improvement out repeatedly in their reviews.
The shank is adjustable at 2 inches and can be flipped for drop or rise, so matching the hitch head height to a loaded trailer is a matter of rotating a part rather than buying a different hitch. Carbide black powder coat, hookup brackets and a lift handle round out a package that feels considered rather than assembled from a price list.
Who will like this hitch most
Long-haul and mountain-road towers who want a maintenance-light setup that stays quiet as long as the zerks get serviced. The pre-torqued 2-5/16 inch ball and included sway control kit mean the only purchase decision left is capacity.
Owners who tow frequently also benefit from the limited lifetime warranty, which is the strongest coverage in this group. Over a decade of use, that matters more than any single convenience feature.
Where owners report problems
Backing up is the honest catch. The round bars have to be disconnected and the sway control kit detached and reattached at every campsite, and the bars are not quiet during the manoeuvre. Some owners like that as a deliberate backup procedure; others find it an extra step every time they pull into a site.
The second item is maintenance discipline. Round bars that never get greased develop noise and wear, so this hitch rewards an owner who services it. If you are the type to set up once and forget, the TruTrack in the next section does not ask for that habit.
3. Equal-i-zer 90-00-1000 Four-Point Sway Control Kit: Most Versatile for Long Trailers
Equal-i-zer 4-point Sway Control Hitch, 90-00-1000, 10,000 Lbs Trailer Weight Rating, 1,000 Lbs Tongue Weight Rating, Weight Distribution Kit Includes Standard Hitch Shank, Ball NOT Included
10000 lb GTW
1000 lb tongue weight
27-32 inch bracket spacing
Ball sold separately
Pros
- Stiffest integrated four-point sway control design in the group
- Transfers tongue weight to all axles to keep the tow vehicle level
- Works with nearly all bumper-pull trailer types including surge brake models
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Hitch ball is not included and must be bought separately
- Heaviest handling in the group at about 100 lb
- Frame height and bracket geometry need careful measurement first
Equal-i-zer has been building weight distribution hitches for decades and the four-point geometry here is the reason the name still carries weight on owner forums. Four points of contact resist a sway attempt from four directions at once, and on a 30 foot or longer trailer running exposed highway routes, that rigidity is the difference between a truck that tracks and a truck that works all day.
The design intent is stated clearly in the technical data: pull tongue weight back so every axle carries a share, keep the front of the tow vehicle firmly planted, and in return get better steering response, better braking and meaningfully better sway resistance. That is the whole argument for weight distribution in a single sentence, and this hitch is built to deliver it.
The measurements are worth writing down before you buy, because this is not a hitch that adapts itself. Spring bars are 36 inches long and 1-3/8 inches wide, the shank is 12 inches, sway control brackets sit between 27 and 32 inches back from the center of the coupler, and the maximum trailer frame height is 6 inches with up to 7 inches of rise and 3 inches of drop. Get a tape measure and your trailer’s frame height before ordering, not after.
One more thing to confirm: the 2-5/16 inch ball is sold separately. Owners mention this most often, and it is an easy mistake to make when the listing photo shows a complete hitch.
Who will like this hitch most
Owners with 30 foot and longer travel trailers, particularly on routes with steady crosswind or heavy truck traffic. At that length the leverage behind the ball is high enough that a two-point or single friction system starts to feel like a compromise.
It also suits anyone towing mixed trailer types. The manufacturer rates it for virtually all bumper-pull trailers including RV, horse, cargo, boat and utility trailers, and for surge brake models, so a household that changes trailers between a camper and a cargo trailer can use one hitch.
Where owners report problems
Weight, plainly. At roughly 100 lb this is the most substantial unit in the group, and installing one alone is a two-person job in most cases. The construction is heavy because the control geometry is heavy; that is not a defect, but budget for it honestly.
The second practical note is that the bracket spacing and frame height limits are not forgiving. Owners who measured first report a straightforward fit; owners who ordered on rating alone report a return trip to the trailer dealer. The third is the separate ball purchase noted above.
4. CURT 17500 TruTrack 4P: Best for Crosswind and Passing Semis
CURT 17500 TruTrack 4P Weight Distribution Hitch with Sway Control, 10K
4-point spring and cam control
800-1000 lb TW
Trunnion forged steel bars
No disconnection to back up
Pros
- Eliminates nearly all sway in crosswinds and when passing semis
- Usually no need to disconnect bars when backing up
- Fixed-support brackets avoid chain slack and rust
- Holds truck and trailer level with minimal adjustment
Cons
- Heavier feel than lighter 10K class systems
- Perfect leveling can be tricky and L-brackets can bend if over-torqued
- Powder coat can flake and show surface rust over time
The TruTrack 4P is the upgrade most owners describe with the same two words: rock solid. Across the reviews, the recurring claim is not that sway is slightly reduced but that it is essentially gone in the conditions that cause it. Crosswind, and that pressure wave as a semi truck goes past. Owners on r/RVLiving list CURT among the hitches they consider solidly built, and the people who move up to the 4P from a chain-style system report a noticeable jump in tracking.
What separates it technically is that it does not rely on friction alone. The four points use a spring and cam system with hardened components, so resistance is built into the mechanism rather than depending on a clamp squeezing two surfaces together. Trunnion-style forged steel spring bars pivot on fixed axes, and the welded head uses cast pieces at the joints where a cheap weld would eventually crack.
The fixed-support adjustable brackets are a quiet but important upgrade. Chain-style bar attachments develop slack, then corrosion, and slack changes the geometry you carefully set up. These brackets bolt to the A-frame and hold position, which is why owners who run salted winter roads report steadier behaviour than they did before.
Capacity is 800 to 1,000 lb of tongue weight on a 10,000 lb trailer rating, with an adjustable 2 inch shank and a 2-5/16 inch ball. That range fits most mid-size travel trailers, though it is not enough for a heavy tongue weight configuration.
Who will like this hitch most
Long-distance towers on exposed routes, and anyone upgrading from the chain and friction bars that came with their trailer at the dealer. Those factory systems are fine until the trailer is loaded, the wind picks up and the pads are worn. This is a common and well-regarded first upgrade.
Campers who back up frequently also do well here. The design usually allows backing without disconnecting the bars, which removes the single most tedious part of a weight distribution setup.
Where owners report problems
Levelling is the real learning curve. Correct bar height and bar angle on this system takes more than one attempt for many first-time owners, and a few report bending an L-bracket by over-torquing while chasing a level rig. Torque to the spec and make small changes rather than large ones.
Second, the powder coat is good but not eternal. Owners running it through harsh seasonal cycles report finish flaking and light surface rust after several seasons. That is cosmetic, but on an exposed hitch it is worth keeping an eye on. Third, the troubleshooting guidance in the printed instructions is thin, so a tape measure and a level matter more here than with a simpler kit.
5. Blue Ox BXW1000 SwayPro: Best for Quiet Operation
Blue Ox BXW1000 SwayPro Weight Distributing Hitch 2″ Receiver for Trailer | 7 Hole Shank | 10,000 lbs Maximum Towing | Levels Out Ride to Restore Control and Stability
1000 lb TW
10000 lb GTW
7 hole 9 inch stinger
Standard 2 inch receiver
Pros
- Very quiet compared with round bar or chain-style hitches
- Quick hookup with one-bolt clamp removal
- Effectively self-corrects in high crosswinds and passing traffic
- Easy to back up with while connected
Cons
- Will not fit trailers with tongue cross-members or blocking equipment
- Rotating latch bolt has been reported shearing after extended use
- Release pins can be snagged by safety chains
If noise has ever bothered you about a weight distribution hitch, this is the one to look at. Blue Ox SwayPro hitches use a mechanism that does not produce the metal-on-metal groan of round bars in a tight turn, and owners describe the difference as the most immediately noticeable upgrade of any kind in this article. Blue Ox is a name that comes up repeatedly in r/RVLiving recommendations alongside Equalizer, Reese, Curt, Fastway and Andersen.
The other promise in the product data is the one that matters most in bad weather: the sway prevention is noise-free and works in rain or snow. That is a structural claim rather than a lubrication promise. Owners report near-zero sway in strong crosswinds where other hitches were troublesome, and several note the self-correcting behaviour without being prompted.
Setup is designed around a real campsite. Rotating latches with clamp-on brackets mean hookup and release is close to a one-bolt operation rather than a chore, and the hitch stays attached for backing up in most situations. No grease gun, no dirty chain, no separate sway control kit to remove at the gate.
The hardware is conventional where it counts: a standard 7-hole, 9 inch receiver stinger, a 2 inch receiver, a standard coupler hitch head, and spring bars rated for 1,000 lb of tongue weight and 10,000 lb maximum gross towing weight. At roughly 68 lb it is also one of the lighter hitches here, which makes the install manageable alone.
Who will like this hitch most
Owners who care about the camping experience as much as the highway one. If your trailer spends nights at gravel forest roads, mountain pullouts and campground loops, a silent hitch removes one of the most irritating sounds in the whole ownership experience.
It is also a strong fit for travel trailers whose coupler is welded directly to the top of the frame with no blocking cross-members on the tongue, which is exactly the configuration this SwayPro bracket style is designed around.
Where owners report problems
Confirm your trailer frame before you buy. The SwayPro bracket will not work on a trailer with tongue cross-members or equipment blocking the top of the frame, and finding that out after delivery is the most common disappointment in the reviews.
Two smaller notes recur. Some owners report the rotating latch bolt shearing after extended use, so check it periodically, and a few mention the release pins catching on safety chains while hooking up, which takes a moment of attention rather than a repair. Owners also note that the tongue weight sizing can be understated out of the box relative to their actual loaded tongue weight, which is an argument for measuring rather than assuming.
6. Andersen 3324: Best Grease-Free Design That Backs Up Without Disconnecting
ANDERSEN HITCHES | Weight Distribution Hitch | Tow Accessories | Universal Hitch Towing Kit | 4″ Drop/Rise, 2″ Ball, 10k lbs GTWR, 1400 lbs tongue weight| Grease free system | 3324
Grease-free friction cone
10000 lb GTWR
1400 lb tongue weight
4 inch drop or rise shank
Pros
- Grease-free design means no maintenance and no dirty hands
- Quiet operation with no spring bar noise while towing or backing up
- Tension chains attach and adjust faster than traditional spring bars
- Can back up at sharp angles without disconnecting anything
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Weight distribution is not as strong as solid bar designs on heavier trailers
- Bracket attachment instructions are somewhat inaccurate
- Not suitable for boat trailers with surge brakes
The Andersen takes a completely different approach to the same problem. Instead of spring bars, it uses a grease-free friction cone and tension chains, and the ball turns with the trailer rather than the trailer rotating on the ball. The practical result is a hitch that never needs lubrication, never gets greasy, and never makes the noise that makes people think something is wrong with their trailer.
On a forum thread on Forest River Forums, an owner running an Andersen made the comparison that matches what we read in the listings: it outperformed a centerline hitch on sway control and won on every measure that owner cared about. That is a single report rather than a verdict, but it is consistent with the pattern in the review data, where owners describe noticeably calmer towing in crosswind and back up at sharp angles without disconnecting anything.
The design decisions are aimed squarely at convenience. Tension chains are easier to attach and adjust than traditional spring bars, the whole assembly is broadly tunable for different amounts of sway and bounce resistance, and the 4 inch drop or rise shank with a 2 inch ball suits trucks and trailers of similar height. Rated for 10,000 lb GTWR with up to 1,400 lb of tongue weight, and at about 49 lb it is the lightest hitch in this group by a wide margin.
Made in the USA, and the warranty is a manufacturer warranty rather than a specified term, which is worth asking the dealer about in writing if that matters to you.
Who will like this hitch most
Owners who hate maintenance and campsite routines. No grease gun in the rain, no bar disconnection to back up, and a hitch light enough to install without help. For a couple towing a mid-size travel trailer two or three times a month, that convenience is the feature they will notice every trip.
It is also well suited to mixed use where you switch between a truck and an SUV with a different receiver height, since the 4 inch drop or rise shank handles a wider range of tow vehicle combinations than a fixed shank.
Where owners report problems
The limitation to weigh honestly is weight distribution strength. Owners report it is not as strong as solid bar designs on heavier trailers, so if you are near the top of the capacity range on a big trailer, a bar-based system distributes load more aggressively.
Second, the bracket attachment instructions are described as somewhat inaccurate, with some inside brackets needing to be flipped. Check the fit before you tighten anything. Third, reconnecting the triangular plate can be awkward if the tow vehicle sits at a different angle than when you hooked up, so give yourself room to line up. Finally, this system is not suitable for boat trailers with surge brakes.
7. Blue Ox BXW1500 SwayPro: Best for Heavy Tongue Weight
Blue Ox BXW1500 SwayPro Weight Distributing Hitch 2″ Receiver for Trailer | 7-Hole Shank | 15,000 lb Maximum Towing | Quick & Easy Setup | Noise-Free Sway Prevention
1500 lb tongue weight
15000 lb GTW
7 hole shank
Limited lifetime warranty
Pros
- Highest tongue weight rating in the group at 1500 lb
- Noise-free operation while towing and backing up
- Quick hookup and release with rotating latch clamp brackets
- Sway prevention works in all weather without adjustment
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Will not fit trailers with tongue cross-members or frame-mounted equipment
- Heavier than the 1000 lb class SwayPro at about 95 lb
- Higher cost than most competing weight distribution kits
This is the BXW1000 scaled up, and the number that matters is 1,500 lb of tongue weight against a 15,000 lb maximum gross towing weight. That is the highest tongue weight rating of any product in this roundup, which puts it in a different category from the 800 lb and 1,000 lb kits most travel trailers actually need.
So who needs it? Airstream and other large aluminium trailers, where a heavy tongue weight is the design rather than a consequence, and heavier trailers being towed with a 10,000 lb tongue weight configuration. If your measured loaded tongue weight is comfortably under 1,000 lb, this is more hitch than you need and the smaller SwayPro is the smarter purchase.
Everything that made the smaller model popular carries over. Noise-free sway prevention that keeps working in rain or snow, rotating latches with clamp-on brackets for quick setup and release, and a standard 7-hole, 9 inch receiver stinger for a 2 inch receiver. The kit contains the hitch head, standard shank, clamp-on brackets, spring bars and the required installation hardware, and it carries a limited lifetime warranty.
Owners consistently describe the same experience: silent running, easy clamp-on setup and confident sway control, now with headroom for heavier tongue weights than before.
Who will like this hitch most
Owners of large aluminium travel trailers, or anyone whose measured tongue weight genuinely runs above 1,000 lb. In that situation the smaller kit would be operating at or past its rating, and this is the version designed for it.
It also suits owners who put a limited lifetime warranty high on the list and own a trailer frame that matches the SwayPro fitment requirement, since the coupler must be welded to the top of the frame without blocking tongue cross-members.
Where owners report problems
Same fitment rule as the smaller model and worth restating: it will not fit trailers with tongue cross-members or frame-mounted equipment occupying the top of the frame. Measure the A-frame before ordering.
Second, at roughly 95 lb it is heavier than the 1,000 lb class SwayPro and takes real effort to install. Third, it sits at the higher end of the market compared with other weight distribution kits in the same tongue weight class, which is a fair trade for the capacity and the warranty but not a hidden value. Release pins can also catch on safety chains during hookup, the same minor issue reported on the smaller model.
8. Fastway e2 Two-Point Round Bar Hitch: Best for Small Trailers and Easy Backing Up
Fastway e2 2-Point Sway Control Round Bar Hitch, 94-00-0800, 8,000 Lbs Trailer Weight Rating, 800 Lbs Tongue Weight Rating, Weight Distribution Kit Includes Standard Hitch Shank, Ball NOT Included
800 lb tongue weight
8000 lb trailer rating
2-point round bar
No backing restrictions
Pros
- Can back up and make tight turns without removing anything
- Integrated sway control avoids separate add-on components
- Complete two-point system at a reasonable price
- Backed by a 10 year limited warranty
Cons
- Lowest capacity in the group at 8000 lb and 800 lb tongue weight
- Hitch ball is not included and must be bought separately
- Round bars are noisy in tight turns and when backing up
- Lowest average owner rating of the hitches analyzed
The e2 is the one to consider when your trailer is small and your truck is a half-ton. At 8,000 lb of trailer weight rating and 800 lb of tongue weight, it is the lowest capacity unit here, and that is the entire point. Matching a hitch to the trailer instead of over-buying is how you keep your payload rating intact and your steering honest.
Within that envelope it is a genuinely complete system. Sway control and weight distribution are built into one unit with no add-on kit to buy, and the round bar design has no backing or turning restrictions, meaning you can leave it attached in any weather or at any angle. Owners value that most when they camp somewhere tight and would rather not unhook a loaded tongue weight every time they move the trailer a few feet.
The brand also offers the same e2 platform in trunnion and round bar configurations with a standard shank, so if the round bar noise bothers you, the trunnion version trades a little of that silence for better resistance. Fastway is a name that comes up in r/RVLiving recommendations alongside Equalizer, Reese, Curt, Blue Ox and Andersen, and the 10 year limited warranty here is longer than any other in this roundup.
Be aware of the ball: it is not included and must be purchased separately. At about 78 lb the unit itself is manageable, and the 10 year warranty is a genuine advantage on a component that will outlast several tow vehicles.
Who will like this hitch most
Smaller travel trailers, pop-top campers and lightweight rigs in the 4,000 to 8,000 lb class behind a half-ton truck. At this weight, integrated sway control is a sensible step up from a bare ball mount without pushing your payload numbers.
Campers who reposition often will appreciate the no-restriction backing more than almost anything else. The 10 year warranty is also the longest here, which suits buyers who want one purchase rather than a replacement cycle.
Where owners report problems
The capacity ceiling is the defining limitation, and it is easy to underestimate. If your trailer’s GVWR is near 10,000 lb or your loaded tongue weight runs above 800 lb, this is the wrong class of hitch and you should step up.
Second, the round bars are noticeably noisy in tight turns and while backing up, which is the trade for the no-disconnection convenience. Third, the ball is a separate purchase. Finally, the 4.2 average rating is the lowest of the group, and the rating distribution shows a higher share of one-star feedback than the other hitches, so expect a wider spread of experiences and check the recent reviews before buying.
9. CURT 17422 Short Trunnion Bar Hitch: Best for Tight Frame Clearance
CURT 17422 Short Trunnion Bar Weight Distribution Hitch with Sway Control, Up to 15,000 lbs., 2-Inch Shank, 2-5/16-Inch Ball
Up to 15000 lb capacity
28-3/8 inch trunnion bars
2 inch shank
Pre-torqued 2-5/16 inch ball
Pros
- Short trunnion bars fit trailers with limited frame clearance
- Transfers tongue weight effectively and takes rear sag off heavy trucks
- Simple bolt-on installation with only trunnion and bar height adjustments
- Sway control mounts easily on built-in hitch head tabs
Cons
- Instructions can arrive torn and difficult to follow
- Included self-drilling screws for the sway bracket were reported defective
- Heavy at about 105 lb and awkward to maneuver
- Packaging often arrives damaged
Frame clearance is the problem this hitch solves. Standard trunnion setups use long bars that need room behind the coupler to reach the mounting brackets, and some A-frames, particularly on older or imported trailers, simply do not have that room. The 28-3/8 inch trunnion-style forged steel bars here are short enough to work in those situations, which is why this is the pick for a constrained frame.
Capacity is up to 15,000 lb, matched to a 2 inch shank and a pre-torqued 2-5/16 inch ball, and the heavy-duty formed head is adjustable for levelling. Owners report it takes rear sag off a loaded truck effectively, which is the point of the whole exercise, and the included sway control kit mounts on attachment tabs built into the head rather than on a separate bracket assembly.
Installation is bolt-on with two adjustments only: trunnion position and bar height. Owners who have fitted one describe it as uncomplicated, which is a pleasant contrast to the levelling curve on the TruTrack 4P. At roughly 105 lb it is the second-heaviest hitch in this group, so plan on a second pair of hands.
The included sway control kit is the same one specified for the CURT 17063, so if you already own that hardware, parts and technique carry over between them.
Who will like this hitch most
Owners of trailers with a short working area behind the coupler, where longer spring bars physically will not fit. It is also a straightforward heavy-duty option for a large trailer behind a three-quarter-ton or one-ton truck, and the built-in tabs mean less separate hardware to align.
If you prefer the trunnion feel to a chain or friction pad and want short bars, this is the straightforward way to get it.
Where owners report problems
Documentation and packaging are the recurring weak points. Owners report instructions arriving torn and difficult to follow, which is frustrating on a hitch where the bracket positions matter. A few also report the included self-drilling screws for the sway control bracket being defective out of the box, so check them before you start and have replacements on hand.
At roughly 105 lb the unit is awkward to maneuver, and owners note that packaging often arrives damaged given the weight of the components. Open it before you leave the store and inspect for bent or cracked parts.
10. XtremepowerUS 22005: Best Budget Pick for a Complete Kit
XtremepowerUS 1,000 lb Weight Distribution Hitch with Sway Control, Heavy Duty Trailer Towing Equalizer Kit, 2-Inch Shank for RV & Travel Trailers
1000 lb tongue weight
2 inch shank with positions
Spring bars, brackets and chains included
90 day warranty
Pros
- Entry-level complete weight distribution and sway control kit in the group
- Supports up to 1000 lb tongue weight for typical travel trailer use
- Includes spring bars
- brackets
- chains and adjustment hardware in one package
- Multiple shank adjustment positions aid ride height setup
Cons
- Only a 90 day manufacturer warranty
- Smallest review base and category ranking in the group
- Less established brand with limited long-term durability feedback
This is the entry point, and it exists because a genuinely useful question deserves an honest answer: does a travel trailer owner on a tight budget need to skip sway control entirely? Sometimes yes. But at 1,000 lb of tongue weight capacity with spring bars, brackets, chains and adjustment hardware in the box, the alternative is often a bare ball mount and a hope.
Feedback is positive but thin, which is the honest framing here. Owners centre on the completeness of the package, the adequate 1,000 lb tongue weight capacity for typical travel trailer use and the multiple shank adjustment positions that help you set ride height correctly without buying extra parts.
The 2 inch shank and durable steel construction are straightforward rather than refined, and there is no ball in the kit. Budget for that as a separate item, and treat the 90 day manufacturer warranty as the significant gap between this and every other product in this roundup, all of which carry far longer coverage.
Who will like this hitch most
Owners of a smaller to mid-size travel trailer who want real weight distribution and sway control on a limited budget. The 1,000 lb tongue weight rating covers a wide range of conventional trailers, and having all mounting hardware in one package avoids the piecemeal buying that eats a small budget anyway.
It is also a reasonable first upgrade for someone currently on a plain ball mount who will be keeping the trailer and truck for a while.
Where owners report problems
The warranty is the headline limitation. Ninety days is a fraction of what every other hitch here offers, and on a component bolted to your trailer frame that is a meaningful difference if something bends in month four.
Second, the review base is the smallest in the group at just 97 ratings, which means the long-term durability picture is genuinely unknown rather than merely unexciting. There is not yet a body of owners reporting this hitch after five years of road use. Treat it as a functional first step, and plan to move up once the trailer has grown into heavier loads or longer routes.
How to Measure Your Loaded Tongue Weight
Every decision in this article depends on one number, and it is the number most buyers get wrong. The tongue weight printed on a spec sheet is measured empty. The tongue weight that matters is measured loaded, with water in the fresh tank, food in the cupboards, clothes in the closets, the battery connected and the propane bottles full.
The public certified scale is the reliable method, and the steps are short.
Find a public scale that weighs passenger vehicles, such as a truck stop or a fire station scale, and confirm it handles the length of your rig.
Know your truck’s curb weight from the door jamb sticker, with everyone who normally rides in it and any cargo in the bed.
Connect the trailer fully, then weigh the combination.
Subtract the truck’s known weight from the combined figure. The remainder is the loaded tongue weight.
Add back a margin of about 10 percent, because a full fresh tank and a loaded pantry can add hundreds of pounds behind the axle.
Two cautions. Do not estimate from a dry weight figure, because the difference is routinely 200 to 300 lb on a 30 foot trailer and that is enough to change which hitch you should be running. And do not skip the measurement if you tow with a half-ton truck, because the hitch itself, typically 50 to 105 lb depending on which unit you choose, comes straight out of your payload allowance. The truck sticker payload number is what remains after the passengers, the hitch and the tongue weight are accounted for.
How to Choose the Right Sway Control Hitch
Work through these in order, and the choice usually makes itself before you start reading spec sheets.
Start with tongue weight, always. Your measured loaded tongue weight sets the floor. Buy the class of hitch that covers it with headroom rather than the largest hitch you can find, because an oversized hitch is a heavy hitch, and heavy costs payload.
Then check gross trailer weight against the hitch rating. Ratings are given as a range because the whole system is limited by its weakest component. Anything rated 10,000 lb GTW and 1,000 lb tongue weight suits a wide band of conventional travel trailers. If your trailer’s GVWR is 10,000 lb, a 15,000 lb unit gives you the headroom you need for the weight of gear you will add over five years.
Check the tow vehicle, not just the trailer. Receiver class matters. A 2 inch receiver takes the majority of the hitches here, with the 7-hole shank on the Blue Ox units as a familiar example. But the real limit is payload, and the order of operations is always the same: passengers, plus hitch weight, plus tongue weight, must fit inside the door jamb payload figure.
Measure the A-frame before choosing a bracket style. This is where the most expensive mistakes happen. Blue Ox SwayPro hitches need a coupler welded to the top of the frame with no blocking tongue cross-members. The Equal-i-zer needs bracket spacing between 27 and 32 inches from the coupler center and a frame height within 6 inches. The CURT 17422 exists precisely for frames with no room behind the coupler. A five minute measurement with a tape avoids a return trip.
Decide how much campsite friction you will tolerate. This is the question buyers skip and then regret. Round bar designs, such as the CURT 17063 and the Fastway e2, produce noise in tight turns. Designs with fixed-support brackets or tension chains, such as the CURT TruTrack 4P, Andersen 3324 and Blue Ox SwayPro, are quieter and generally quicker to release. If you back up every day, that difference shows up immediately. The same read-the-specs-first habit shows up in our guides to cinematic music libraries for trailers and pickleball paddles for control players.
Decide about your truck’s electronic sway control. This is the most active debate in the owner forums and no article on the search results answers it cleanly. Late-model trucks have factory trailer sway control that is designed to work with a conventional ball mount. When you add a mechanical weight distribution hitch, the truck is no longer dealing with a simple pendulum. Many owners run the factory system enabled and simply never see it activate, which they consider the correct outcome. Others disable it entirely, on the reasoning that a correctly set-up weight distribution hitch should be handling sway. The consensus we found across the threads is that the system rarely activates when the hitch is set up right, so leaving it on costs nothing and is the safer default. Whichever you choose, test the rig fully loaded before you decide it feels right.
Sway Control vs Weight Distribution vs Electronic Sway Control
These three get confused constantly, and confusing them leads to buying the wrong thing or skipping a needed purchase. They are three different jobs.
Weight distribution moves tongue weight forward onto the truck’s front axle and back onto the trailer’s rear axle. It exists to keep the truck level, restore steering response and improve braking. It does not, on its own, prevent sway.
Sway control handles the side-to-side movement, using friction, trunnion-mounted cones, a spring and cam system or a pivot point projection linkage. So yes: a weight distribution hitch stops sway only if it has sway control built in. Every product in this roundup does.
Electronic sway control lives in the truck, not the trailer. Sensors detect trailer roll and the truck’s stability control applies braking to individual wheels to correct it. It costs nothing extra on a modern truck, and it is a genuine second layer of protection. It is not a substitute for a hitch, because it can only react after the trailer has started moving.
Anti-rock bars are a different category again. These bolt to the trailer frame and press against the A-frame to stop forward and backward pitching, which is a problem on grades, not a sway problem. Some hitches, including the Andersen 3324, perform a similar anti-pitch function as a side effect of their geometry, but that is not their primary purpose and the two should not be compared directly.
Installation, Pre-Loading and Common Mistakes
Installing a weight distribution hitch is a two to three hour job with a torque wrench and a good set of sockets, and a much longer afternoon if you rush it. The order of operations matters, because the adjustments are sequential.
Park on level ground with the trailer loaded as you will actually tow it. Measure the coupler height with the trailer attached and the truck loaded, then set the shank drop or rise to match. Assemble the head and bars, set the bar height so the bars run at roughly the correct angle, and only then place the trailer on the ball.
With the trailer attached, tighten the spring bar chains or tension elements until the bars are tight, then back them off to about three quarters of a turn further as a starting point for a used hitch. Drive the rig for a short distance, park, and check the coupler height again. If the hitch head is higher than the coupler, tighten the chains; if it is lower, loosen. The rule of thumb is a couple of thread turns per adjustment, and the most common mistake is making large changes in the wrong direction.
After adding passengers or cargo, or after a long trip, re-check the bar tension. Sag over a hundred miles with a heavy weekend in the trailer is normal, and an unadjusted hitch will sit at an angle that reduces both steering and braking performance.
For chain systems, keep the chains snug, grease them if the manufacturer calls for it, and never leave slack. For trunnion systems, grease the zerks on a schedule, as the CURT 17063’s integrated fittings were designed to make easy. For the fixed-bracket systems, check the bracket bolts after the first hundred miles because they carry the load the whole way.
Whether to do it yourself depends on your tow vehicle. If you have a torque wrench, socket set, jack stands and a level concrete pad, it is genuinely manageable. If any of those are missing, or if your trailer is over 30 feet, a professional install is cheaper than a bent bracket.
When to Release Sway Control Tension
There are situations where the correct action is to reduce the tension in your sway control, and owners rarely get clear guidance on this. A hard bar that fights the trailer is worse than no bar at all in the specific conditions where the trailer cannot follow the truck.
Release tension in heavy rain, on ice and on snow. Pads and cones lose bite when wet and can be less consistent at low temperature, and a bar that resists instead of slides can make a slide event worse. This is a safety practice that appears repeatedly on the owner forums and in almost no buying guide.
Release tension for low-clearance manoeuvres, particularly tight turns, steep campground ramps and driveways with overhangs. Unhook or back off the tension when the trailer frame is at risk of contacting the bar assembly.
Release tension for backing up on systems that require disconnection, and use a spotter. The two designs in this roundup that avoid this entirely are the Andersen 3324 and the Blue Ox SwayPro models, plus the TruTrack 4P in most situations, and that is a real advantage for people who reposition often.
What you should not do is leave the bars disconnected for highway driving. The hitch’s contribution to steering response and braking is separate from the sway mechanism, and running without tension means running with the truck’s rear axle overloaded.
Causes of Trailer Sway a Hitch Will Not Fix
Before spending on a better hitch, check these. Each one produces sway that a weight distribution hitch cannot correct, and each is cheaper to fix.
Tire pressure. Underinflated or mismatched truck and trailer tires are the most common cause of sway on an otherwise correctly set up rig. Inflate to the load rating printed on the tire sidewall, not the number on the door jamb, and check cold before every trip.
Load distribution inside the trailer. Weight stacked to one side, or heavy items over the rear axle, will make a trailer handle badly regardless of hitch. Load the tongue area first and keep heavy items low and centred.
Incorrect tongue weight. Too little and the trailer is not tracking properly. Too much and the truck is carrying a load its rear axle was never meant to hold. Measure it.
Tow vehicle and trailer mismatch. A heavy trailer behind a short wheelbase truck is inherently less stable, and no hitch changes that geometry.
Driver technique. Overcorrection is the most common trigger of real sway events. Small, smooth inputs at moderate speed, and easing off the throttle on a crosswind, prevents most of the events people blame on their hitch.
Worn components. Friction pads, bent brackets and seized bar mounts all reduce control. Inspect them annually with a flashlight and a feeler gauge.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best anti-sway hitch for a camper?
For most campers the Camco Eaz-Lift Elite 48058 is the strongest all-round choice, with a 4.7 owner rating across more than 2,100 reviews and a 1,200 lb tongue weight rating. It arrives with the ball, sway control ball, U-bolts and chain pre-installed, so the install is short. If your camper is small, the Fastway e2 fits lighter loads without adding excess hitch weight to your payload.
What is the best hitch for a travel trailer overall?
The best hitch for a travel trailer is the one that matches your measured loaded tongue weight and your trailer GVWR, not the most expensive unit available. In this roundup the Camco Eaz-Lift Elite 48058 leads on owner satisfaction, the CURT 17063 leads on value and the Equal-i-zer 90-00-1000 leads on four-point control. Weigh your loaded tongue weight first, then choose within that class.
Do weight distribution hitches stop sway?
Only if they have sway control built in. A weight distribution hitch moves tongue weight forward onto the truck front axle to restore steering and braking. Sway control is the separate mechanism that resists side-to-side movement, using friction bars, trunnion cones or a spring and cam system. Every product reviewed here is a weight distribution hitch with integrated sway control, which is why the two terms are so often used interchangeably.
What is the most common cause of trailer sway?
Incorrect tire pressure is the most common cause, followed by poor load distribution inside the trailer and overcorrection by the driver. A hitch only addresses the symptom. Inflate tires to the sidewall load rating, keep heavy cargo low and centred, and make small steering inputs at moderate speed. Fix those three first before deciding you need a different hitch.
Can you put too much tension on weight distribution bars?
Yes, and it causes real problems. Over-tensioning the spring bars or chains reduces steering response, wears tires unevenly and produces uneven braking. Tighten until the bars are snug, then back off slightly as a starting point, drive a short distance and re-check the coupler height. If the hitch head sits higher than the coupler, tighten a fraction; if lower, loosen.
Should I disable my truck’s electronic sway control when using a weight distribution hitch?
Most owners leave it enabled. A correctly set-up weight distribution hitch handles sway mechanically, so the factory system rarely activates, and leaving it on costs nothing while providing a second layer of protection if something goes wrong. Test the rig fully loaded first, and only consider disabling it if the system is interfering with how the hitch is working.
Can you back up a travel trailer with a sway control hitch attached?
It depends on the design. The Andersen 3324, the Blue Ox SwayPro models and the CURT TruTrack 4P are generally usable while connected. The CURT 17063 and Fastway e2 use round bars, and owners typically disconnect the bars and sway control first. Always use a spotter, and relieve tension on a rise or fall to stop the frame contacting the assembly.
Do I need sway control for a small travel trailer?
For a small pop-top well under 4,000 lb behind a half-ton truck, a quality ball mount may be adequate. As soon as the trailer approaches 5,000 lb GVWR, or the truck needs the tongue weight moved forward to stay level and responsive, a weight distribution hitch with sway control becomes worthwhile. Above 10,000 lb GVWR, a 30 foot trailer or heavy tongue weight, treat it as close to essential.
What happens if tongue weight is too heavy?
The truck rear axle goes past its rating, the front end lifts, steering response and braking fade, and the trailer can become unpredictable. It also counts twice against your payload: the tongue weight and the hitch weight, which commonly runs 50 to 105 lb, both come out of the door jamb allowance. Measure your loaded tongue weight and stay within 10 to 15 percent of the hitch tongue weight rating.
Conclusion: The Best Sway Control Hitches for Travel Trailers in 2026
The Camco Eaz-Lift Elite 48058 is our pick among the best sway control hitches for travel trailers, on the strength of a 4.7 rating across more than 2,100 owner reviews and the most complete ready-to-tow package in the group. The CURT 17063 takes the value slot with forged round bars, integrated grease zerks and a limited lifetime warranty, and the Equal-i-zer 90-00-1000 wins for owners who tow long trailers in open wind and want the stiffest four-point control available.
Measure your loaded tongue weight before anything else, check your trailer frame against the bracket style, and remember that the hitch weight comes out of your payload alongside the trailer. Get those three things right and any of the ten hitches here will serve you well. Get them wrong and the most expensive one on the list will not save you.
Use the buttons above to check current details for each model, and check the fit with your trailer manufacturer if you own a frame-mounted brand such as an Airstream.