So, I’ve been towing using an extra long hitch. My trailer has an electric raise / lower and the spare tire was always in the way. Today, I relocated the spare to the roof and used a “normal” hitch … what a difference it’s made. Before, I was white knuckling anytime a semi passed on the Highway … major sway. Now, it’s so much improved i almost don’t notice the pass. Anyway, I thought I’d pass along the story for anyone else using a similar setup.

 

How long is the trailer? I'm using special hitch pin and 12" Curt hitch, no noise or sway but my trailer is 18-19 ft.

 

It’s a 22’ Airstream single axle. Acts like a sail with the long hitch …

 

I'm no towing guru but that hitch looks like it could be the source of the sway. Only one retention pin and cantilever design on the ball give me the ******. The Curt hitch is much more beefy with its 12" pin to ball distance. I've used it again just this weekend to haul about 6500 lbs with no sway noted. Seems solid as a rock with the 2.625" ball.

 

… shoot, that’s the new hitch I was planning to try out. The old one is a single piece but is “extra long” … I should measure it.

 

I've taken a different approach to the clearance problem - modifying the trailer. I've always been an advocate for keeping your hitch length as short as possible. It seems like common sense to me: long hitches = long lever arms = more torque on your vehicle = more sway.
The problem on our trailer was that the trailer jack is too close to the rear wheel with a short hitch, so I replaced it with a removable one: The Ultimate Jack
After replacing their fixed foot with my existing wheel, this shows the hitch in place for camping, then removed for traveling:


The hitch was modified so that it could be removed completely:


And I replaced the standard handle with a 3/4" nut which fits the drill I use for raising and lowering the stabilization feet:

That has 2 advantages: You have a power lift, and when the jack is close to the spare wheel there may not be room to swing the handle.

 

^^Definitely the way to go^^.

If I had my own trailer I'd mod it to meet the ~7" recommended hole to ball length.

As I just rent trailers from time to time, a hitch with a variable drop, different ball sizes and a 12" length were needed.
The Curt ticks all the boxes.
It's solid metal, rated to 14,000 lbs so a bit heavier than ideal but a reasonable compromise for my needs.

I don't tow frequently so maybe I don't know what to look for, but I've not felt any stability or sway issues on the highway, up hill nor down dale.

 

I had the same issue with my trailer jack and replaced it with a Trailer Valet JX 2K which folds out of the way when not in use.

 

One other thing to mention. Trailer hitches on unibody vehicles can transmit a lot of rattling into the cabin, especially when unloaded. These work great to quiet it down.

 

Thanks for the tip - this is the one you're recommending, right?