When RV owners evaluate a hitch, the first question is usually:
“How much does it cost?”
But the better question is:
“What will trailer sway cost me over the next five years?”
Because the truth is, trailer sway isn’t just uncomfortable. It’s expensive. And those costs often show up slowly—through wear, upgrades, repairs, and lost confidence.
Let’s break down the real cost of trailer sway over a five-year ownership period—and compare it to investing once in true sway elimination.
Even moderate, recurring sway creates measurable financial impact.
Chronic sway causes:
A typical set of trailer tires may cost $600–$1,200 installed. If sway shortens their lifespan by even 30–40%, you could be replacing them one full cycle earlier over five years.
Estimated 5-year impact: $800–$1,500
Side-to-side oscillation stresses:
Even minor misalignment compounds sway and accelerates tire wear.
Estimated 5-year impact: $500–$2,000 in maintenance and repairs
Trailer sway introduces repeated lateral twisting. Over time, this can lead to:
These repairs can be expensive—and sometimes impossible to fully restore.
Estimated 5-year impact: Potentially thousands in structural work or reduced resale value.
Many RV owners go through this progression:
Each upgrade costs money. And none fully eliminates sway.
Estimated 5-year impact: $1,000–$2,500 in cumulative hitch replacements.
Buyers inspect:
Chronic sway leaves subtle signs. That can lower resale value or extend time on market.
Even a modest 5% resale reduction on a $40,000 trailer equals:
$2,000 lost value
This one doesn’t show up on a receipt—but it matters.
Chronic sway causes:
Over five years, that changes how much you enjoy your RV lifestyle.
Let’s compare two realistic ownership paths.
Upfront cost: $800–$1,500
5-Year Additional Costs:
Estimated 5-Year Total:
$6,300–$7,000+
And sway still isn’t eliminated.
Upfront cost: Higher than friction-based systems
But:
With minimal replacement or upgrade cycles.
Estimated 5-Year Additional Costs:
Minimal beyond routine maintenance.
And importantly:
ProPride itself retains strong resale value.
Let’s assume 8,000 miles per year for 5 years = 40,000 miles.
Even a $3,000–$4,000 investment spread across 40,000 miles equals:
$0.07–$0.10 per mile for sway elimination.
That’s less than:
For complete towing stability.
The biggest mistake RV owners make is evaluating hitches as accessories.
They’re not.
Your hitch:
If sway continues for five years, the cost compounds.
If sway is eliminated, the costs stop accumulating.
The ProPride 3P® Hitch isn’t the lowest upfront cost option.
But over five years, it is often:
And for many owners, the only hitch they ever buy.
Trailer sway has a real financial footprint. It quietly accelerates wear, reduces resale value, and drives upgrade cycles that add up faster than most owners expect.
When viewed over a 5-year ownership period, the equation shifts:
Eliminating sway isn’t expensive.
Living with it is.