There's a big red tag on my Eaz-Lift sway control that states I should disable the vehicle electronic stability control system. I'm not sure I can. From the user manual: "Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) automatically detects when sway is developing on a correctly attached trailer. When active, TSA gradually reduces the vehicle’s speed to help regain control of the trailer." It doesn't read as if left/right braking is applied, just a slowing. So, can this be disabled? And if not, can I safely use my Eaz-Lift sway controls?

 

So I'm not the expert on the EAZ Lift sway controls, but looking at their website those appear to be weight distribution hitches.

The docs say don't use those, as they can damage the air suspension.

If it's not, sorry for not answering your question. I've not gotten either the car nor trailer, but have been researching it a lot and looking at the MCHitch or the DO35 maybe.

 

So I've not had this trailer assist "kick in" on my Defender 110 yet, but I did have an L494 Sport that had either the same thing or a prior iteration of it, and I can say, it was superb. I towed a race car Porsche all over the place on a rather heavy car trailer. Got very familiar with how the Sport pulled with the trailer and car.

Whenever it started to sway in the slightest (crosswinds, driving too fast, a semi passing me very fast), it would gently slow the L494 down. I found it quite brilliant. Never startled me. I'd leave it active, but also to answer your question, I do not believe there is actually even a setting to disable this feature in the car.

Separately -- as for disabling a car's electronic stability system, that would be a horrible idea in any modern SUV on a highway at speed. I'm somewhat surprised a hitch company would recommend doing this if in fact that's what they're actually saying. See pic below - This button here would disable all stability control (or maybe most of it, some cars never actually turn it fully off even with the off switch like this, not sure where JLR is with this).

I'd really only turn this off in deep snow to try to get unstuck, or in certain offroad conditions, etc. I may be wrong about all of the above, but ... having had multiple cars with this tech, it's something you don't turn off. Ever see that video of the early m4 careening off the road over a median after a cars and coffee in 2016? Stability control was off.

 

My system is in two parts - torsion bars related to weight distribution and sway control devices. These are independent of each other and can be attached to the hitch together or separately. This is typical of torsion bars on chains. Torsion bars on brackets typically do double duty as weight distribution and the friction device for anti-sway.

 

The tag was a warning to disable only electronic anti-sway, not the stability systems. Though to your point, the lines here get fuzzy and manufactures seem to be a bit loose with marketing terminology. But you've answered my question - not an independent system that can be disabled and something that provides real benefit. Thanks.

 

I’m a new owner of a 2021 110. I tried towing my trailer for the first time and experienced some sway. On my old car I always used a sway control bar. I purchased the eaz lift bolt on sway bar ball mount attachment but haven’t installed it yet because of that red warning tag about disabling the TSA. I was wondering what you ended up doing. It seems to me that since the bar prevents sway from developing in the first place, that it shouldn’t really be a problem.
All the best and thanks to all for any input.

 

@Dave C110

Where the load for the trailer is makes all the difference in the world in controlling trailer sway. Keeping weight on the tongue and in front of the trailer axle is key.
Also keeping the trailer just under level with the bias on the vehicle helps a lot also.

Worst thing you can do is hook up a trailer and put all the weight at the very back of the trailer. Instant regret.
The JLR electronic sway control should be all you really need if your load is properly balanced.