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 Hitch project with sway preventers		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts
Initially Posted - 02/24/2007 :  11:41:39  Show Profile




This is the unit I built and have used for many seasons. I was given the idea from an RV repair shop and because the warrentee was up built and used it. This has made the long trips very comfortable. The tongue extension is on the trailer but have not used it as I use the rollers. I have replaced the master cylinder with a disc unit cylinder and will replace the drum units with disc. It's going to snow so the completed project pictures will have to wait. I have drilled a hole for a bolt through the hitch for backing which I have to always pull before out on the highway.
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ct95949
Captain

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Aruba
300 Posts
Response Posted - 02/24/2007 :  22:53:04  Show Profile
That looks like a surge brake trailer with a sway preventer/load leveler hitch. If so I have to ask...how do the brakes work ?
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sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts
Response Posted - 02/24/2007 :  23:36:05  Show Profile
Brakes have worked great. The system has been on this EZ Loader for 20 years and I have almost made a trip to the San Juans every other year. 700 plus miles through Portland and Seattle traffic and one trip to San Diego, 800 miles. The system has made me confident on the highways to try the trips that gets me to those far away places. The whole unit slides with a collar around the tongue which is greased. I didn't notice any difference in the braking.
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ct95949
Captain

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Aruba
300 Posts
Response Posted - 02/25/2007 :  00:46:20  Show Profile
I must be missing something. If a solid bar or bars are mounted on the hitch and then clamped to the trailer frame how does the tongue slide and operate the brake cylinder? My trailer is an EZ Loader with surge brakes and I have a load leveler hitch much like yours. As soon as I put it on I couldn't see how it would work.
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sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts
Response Posted - 02/25/2007 :  06:34:30  Show Profile

The spring bars are clamped to the extensions of the front of the surge system. The trailer still pushes forward to cause the master cylinder to brake the trailer. I hope this other view shows you that the bars are not clamped to the tongue but the extensions of the front of the hitch. The black grease can be seen on the tongue where the unit slides.
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Happy D
Admiral

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921 Posts
Response Posted - 02/25/2007 :  07:06:53  Show Profile
That's pretty close to the same setup I have except I'm using electric brakes and dual sway bars. Dual sway bars are overkill, but I have them so why not. I just don't tighten them up too tight.
As you said, comfort and piece of mind is a good thing when towing.
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ct95949
Captain

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Aruba
300 Posts
Response Posted - 02/25/2007 :  12:06:27  Show Profile
Jim-
Yes, that photo explains it much better- nice job. I installed air shocks on my 1/2 ton Chevy being concerned with tongue wieght and found out that I wasted my money, the load was balanced perfectly without adding any air.
My towing trips are short and infrequent but for a long trip your set-up would be nice.
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.