P400 Towing
#11
Don't forget that you will have to install your own brake controller. Surprisingly the tow package does not come with a controller. Search this forum and you will see a Redarc controller installation that is pretty much plug & play. A project that I need to do in the near future.
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Jjohn581@aol.com (12-08-2020)
#12
Thanks for the suggestion. We have a Curt Echo wireless brake controller that seems to be doing alright but am exploring switching to a hard wired solution.
Does anyone have any experience with the after market electronic sway control systems that mount directly to the trailer like the one below?
https://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Dist...s/HA81775.html
Does anyone have any experience with the after market electronic sway control systems that mount directly to the trailer like the one below?
https://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Dist...s/HA81775.html
#13
What did you decide?
I’m expecting delivery of my P400 in Feb/March timeframe and was hoping to get some feedback of anyone whose towed with it.
We plan on towing a 25’ travel trailer that weighs roughly 5k lbs fully loaded. The manual recommends against using a weight distribution hitch (WDH) but it’s worked great for us on our other tow vehicle - X5 M50i, to counteract sway. Has anyone towed something similar with/without a WDH with their P400? Any thoughts on why LR would recommend against using one?
Thanks!
We plan on towing a 25’ travel trailer that weighs roughly 5k lbs fully loaded. The manual recommends against using a weight distribution hitch (WDH) but it’s worked great for us on our other tow vehicle - X5 M50i, to counteract sway. Has anyone towed something similar with/without a WDH with their P400? Any thoughts on why LR would recommend against using one?
Thanks!
#15
I picked up a Hayes Electronic Sway Controller (https://www.homedepot.com/p/Hayes-Sw...1775/312242708) from etrailer.com. For whatever reason their site pulls up a different page when you try and load it. I bought it for $250, the price continues to go up and down, if you wait you may be able to get it cheaper than what they have it listed for. I drove the trailer last week on a 10 mile stretch of highway and it did pretty good, definitely not white knuckling it. The Defender unloaded was even getting pushed around.
#16
I picked up a Hayes Electronic Sway Controller (https://www.homedepot.com/p/Hayes-Sw...1775/312242708) from etrailer.com. For whatever reason their site pulls up a different page when you try and load it. I bought it for $250, the price continues to go up and down, if you wait you may be able to get it cheaper than what they have it listed for. I drove the trailer last week on a 10 mile stretch of highway and it did pretty good, definitely not white knuckling it. The Defender unloaded was even getting pushed around.
#17
Haven’t towed the trailer without some form of sway control. Prior to the Hayes Swag Controller I was using a curt mechanical sway control with my wife’s X5. The X5 felt very stable but it’s also a lot more aerodynamic than the Defender. However, the Defender felt safe and in control, more so than the X5.
I’m not using tow mirrors with the Defender, there is actually a camera view for towing which gives pretty good visibility down the side of the trailer.
I’m not using tow mirrors with the Defender, there is actually a camera view for towing which gives pretty good visibility down the side of the trailer.
#18
Using sway controller with integrated brake system
Haven’t towed the trailer without some form of sway control. Prior to the Hayes Swag Controller I was using a curt mechanical sway control with my wife’s X5. The X5 felt very stable but it’s also a lot more aerodynamic than the Defender. However, the Defender felt safe and in control, more so than the X5.
I’m not using tow mirrors with the Defender, there is actually a camera view for towing which gives pretty good visibility down the side of the trailer.
I’m not using tow mirrors with the Defender, there is actually a camera view for towing which gives pretty good visibility down the side of the trailer.
When the product arrived it had warning stickers to not use with an integrated braking system. I do have a brake system installed... wasn't allowed to take my trailer off the lot until I got it. So I was wondering if you had a brake system and whether or not you use it with the sway controller. My brake system feels great when I'm towing. I turned it all the way to 0 while using the sway control yesterday but maybe that wasn't enough. Maybe it needs to be disconnected. Just wanted to see if you had dealt with this and had advice before I disassemble the brake system.
Thanks for your help!
#19
So I finally got the sway controller and took it for a spin yesterday. We live in a very windy part of the country and took it on the highway with 25 mph wind and it did not feel safe.
When the product arrived it had warning stickers to not use with an integrated braking system. I do have a brake system installed... wasn't allowed to take my trailer off the lot until I got it. So I was wondering if you had a brake system and whether or not you use it with the sway controller. My brake system feels great when I'm towing. I turned it all the way to 0 while using the sway control yesterday but maybe that wasn't enough. Maybe it needs to be disconnected. Just wanted to see if you had dealt with this and had advice before I disassemble the brake system.
Thanks for your help!
When the product arrived it had warning stickers to not use with an integrated braking system. I do have a brake system installed... wasn't allowed to take my trailer off the lot until I got it. So I was wondering if you had a brake system and whether or not you use it with the sway controller. My brake system feels great when I'm towing. I turned it all the way to 0 while using the sway control yesterday but maybe that wasn't enough. Maybe it needs to be disconnected. Just wanted to see if you had dealt with this and had advice before I disassemble the brake system.
Thanks for your help!
I’m using a Curt Echo wireless. Take controller which is Bluetooth based but I’m not completely sold on it. It either works great or feels like it doesn’t work at all. Might switch later this summer.
#20
I don’t remember seeing any warnings not to use a trailer breaker controller with the Hayes Sway control device. I believe I saw a video or read some Hayes literature that said it works seamlessly with a brake controller. I use my brake controller with the sway control device. I haven’t made any really long trips with it but have had some highway driving with a fairly strong cross wind. I’d feel the rear end twitch slightly and then the “event” was over. We have a camping trip planned this weekend with the travel trailer and can let you know how it did.
I’m using a Curt Echo wireless. Take controller which is Bluetooth based but I’m not completely sold on it. It either works great or feels like it doesn’t work at all. Might switch later this summer.
I’m using a Curt Echo wireless. Take controller which is Bluetooth based but I’m not completely sold on it. It either works great or feels like it doesn’t work at all. Might switch later this summer.