Here’s the Real Answer

Weight distribution hitches are often marketed as an all-in-one solution for towing stability. Many RV owners are told that once weight is “properly distributed,” trailer sway won’t be an issue.

But if that were true, why do so many drivers still experience sway — even with a weight distribution hitch installed?

In this blog, we’ll clearly explain what a weight distribution hitch actually does, why trailer sway can still happen, and what it truly takes to eliminate trailer sway instead of just reducing it.

What a Weight Distribution Hitch Is Designed to Do

A weight distribution hitch (WDH) is primarily engineered to address vertical load issues, not lateral motion.

Its main functions are to:

• Transfer some tongue weight from the rear axle of the tow vehicle
• Redistribute that weight to the front axle and trailer axles
• Reduce rear-end sag
• Improve braking and steering control
• Help keep the rig level

These are all important benefits. A properly set up weight distribution hitch absolutely improves overall towing balance and vehicle handling.

However, none of these functions directly eliminates trailer sway.

Why Trailer Sway Still Happens With a Weight Distribution Hitch

Trailer sway is a side-to-side motion problem, not a vertical weight problem.

Even with perfect weight distribution:

• The trailer still pivots on the hitch ball
• That pivot point is still located behind the tow vehicle’s rear axle
• External forces still act on the trailer’s center of mass

When wind, passing trucks, road crown, or sudden steering inputs apply lateral force, the trailer can still begin to oscillate.

In other words:

A weight distribution hitch improves balance — but it does not change the physics that allow sway to start.

The Common Misconception: “WDH + Friction = No Sway”

To address this limitation, many weight distribution hitches add friction-based anti-sway components, such as:

• Friction sway bars
• Integrated friction pads
• Resistance-based capture systems

These systems attempt to slow down sway after it begins by adding resistance.

But friction systems have inherent limitations:

• Friction varies with weather (rain, dust, temperature)
• Resistance weakens during panic maneuvers
• Friction does not eliminate leverage
• Sway can still begin — especially in strong crosswinds or traffic

This is why many drivers report:

• Reduced sway in rainy conditions
• Sudden instability in wind or emergency situations
• Inconsistent performance from trip to trip

Friction helps — but it does not solve the problem.

Why Eliminating Sway Requires Changing the Pivot Point

To truly eliminate trailer sway, you must remove the condition that allows it to exist.

That condition is pivot leverage.

In conventional towing setups:

• The trailer pivots freely at the ball
• Lateral forces create leverage behind the rear axle
• That leverage produces oscillation (sway)

As long as that pivot geometry exists, sway is always possible — regardless of weight distribution.

The only way to eliminate sway entirely is to control or relocate the effective pivot point.

Pivot Point Projection™: Why It’s Different

An advanced trailer sway control hitch, like the ProPride 3P Hitch, utilizes patented Pivot Point Projection technology.

Instead of allowing the trailer to pivot at the hitch ball, the system:

• Locks the trailer coupler to the hitch head
• Uses converging link geometry to project the pivot point forward
• Places the effective pivot point near the tow vehicle’s rear axle

What This Achieves

• Removes leverage that causes sway
• Prevents sway from starting — not just resisting it
• Maintains consistent performance in all conditions
• Provides true trailer sway elimination
  
  

This is fundamentally different from friction-based systems.

Weight Distribution Still Matters — But It’s Not Enough Alone

It’s important to clarify:

• Weight distribution is still essential
• The ProPride 3P® includes full weight distribution capability
• Proper load balance improves braking and control

The difference is that weight distribution is paired with true pivot point control.

This combination:

• Keeps the rig level
• Maintains axle balance
• Eliminates sway at its source

Why Drivers Upgrade After “Doing Everything Right”

Many ProPride owners report the same story:

• They followed tongue weight guidelines
• They used a weight distribution hitch
• They added friction sway control
• They still experienced white-knuckle towing

Once they switched to a ProPride 3P Hitch, the problem disappeared — because the underlying physics were finally addressed.

So… Can a Weight Distribution Hitch Eliminate Trailer Sway?

Short answer: No.
Honest answer: It was never designed to.

A weight distribution hitch:

• Improves balance
• Helps handling
• Reduces sag

But it does not eliminate trailer sway.

Only a system that controls the trailer’s pivot geometry can do that.

Final Takeaway

If your goal is:

• Less sag → weight distribution helps
• Better braking → weight distribution helps
• True trailer sway elimination → you need pivot point technology

That’s why the ProPride 3P® trailer sway control hitch goes beyond traditional weight distribution — delivering calm, confident towing in conditions where friction systems fall short.

If you’re ready to stop managing sway and start eliminating it, the answer isn’t more friction — it’s better geometry.