Electronic sway control

[geekything]

Should every 2016 RAM have electronic sway control? Or do you require the "tow package". I *do* have the factory brake controller, but added it after (and it's flashed into the EVIC).

My travel trailer manufacturer has said "no" to install a sway bar on the trailer due to the structural integrity of the aluminum A-frame (it's an ultralight trailer). So I'm left with what I hope is electronic sway control.

Does the sway control even work?

 

[McBroom]

Should every 2016 RAM have electronic sway control? Or do you require the "tow package". I *do* have the factory brake controller, but added it after (and it's flashed into the EVIC).

My travel trailer manufacturer has said "no" to install a sway bar on the trailer due to the structural integrity of the aluminum A-frame (it's an ultralight trailer). So I'm left with what I hope is electronic sway control.

Does the sway control even work?

Yes the electronic sway control works but IMHO it’s a bit late(slow) to act.
I don’t see you having any problems towing your trailer


I Love My 2018 RAM 2500HD 4x4 Off Road. 6.4L. USMC (ret)

 

[joshuaeb09]

The TSC is more of an "oh ****" moment savior like ESC and runs relies on the ESC system. Since it's an ultra light aluminum trailer I would follow the manufacturers guidance about no trailer bars, but if you do end up with more than comfortable sway I would look at a helwig for the truck to give you some mechanical help with sway.

"Trailer Sway Control (TSC) – If Equipped
The TSC system uses sensors in the vehicle to recognize
an excessively swaying trailer and will take the appropriate
actions to attempt to stop the sway. The system
may reduce engine power and apply the brake of the
appropriate wheel(s) to counteract the sway of the trailer.
TSC will become active automatically once an excessively
swaying trailer is recognized. No driver action is required.
Note that TSC cannot stop all trailers from
swaying. Always use caution when towing a trailer and
follow the trailer tongue weight recommendations. Refer
to “Trailer Towing” in “Starting and Operating” for
further information. When TSC is functioning, the “ESC
Off Indicator Light” will flash, the engine power may be
reduced and you may feel the brakes being applied to
individual wheels to attempt to stop the trailer from
swaying. TSC is disabled when the ESC system is in the
“Partial Off” or “Full Off” modes.
TSC is only active in the default “ESC On” mode. TSC
can be disabled by pressing the “ESC Off” switch and
entering “ESC Partial Off” mode. It is not active in the
“ESC Partial Off” or “ESC Off” modes. Refer to the ESC
portion of this section for an explanation of the different
ESC operating modes."

 

[rotwiler]

My 13 has sway control, but didn't work with aftermarket trailer brake. A few months ago I found a used controller on eBay so decided to go oem My travel trailer, 2013 forest river vibe always had sway, even with a single bar sway controller. On last camping trip in like March, my sway controller was making noise from rust, so temporarily removed it to stop in parking lot to lube it. Amazingly all sway was gone, never had that before, even in past with the sway bar had some sway. I drove back home at over 130 miles at 60 mph with some harsh side winds and Zero sway. So only thing I can think that helped the sway was the trucks sway control.

 

[geekything]

How can I verify I have the electronic sway control? I don’t seem to have an ESC button on my 2016 SLT

 

[geekything]

How can I verify I have the electronic sway control? I don’t seem to have an ESC button on my 2016 SLT

Dumb question....is the ESC button the one with the icon of a car with squiggly lines underneath?

 

[MADDOG]

Yes, that is the Electronic Stability Control function button.

 

[GsRAM]

Yes, that is the Electronic Stability Control function button.

I thought the car with lines under it was for traction control on/off and not the electronic sway control? I don't believe you can enable/disable esc?

 

[MADDOG]

It is NOT electronic sway control and I didn't say it was.

It is Electronic Stability Control. Traction control is part of that system. If traction control is turned off, that part of the ESC will not be active.

 

[GsRAM]

It is NOT electronic sway control and I didn't say it was.

It is Electronic Stability Control. Traction control is part of that system. If traction control is turned off, that part of the ESC will not be active.

MD . thanks. My post was for clarification and not meant to question. No offense intended.

 

[MADDOG]

No worries. I just want to be on what the acronyms represent, what the functions are and how they tie together.

No offense taken.

 

[Farmer Fran]

SO how do I know if my truck has TSC... I know it has ESC <-- Federal mandated now. "The United States was next, requiring ESC for all passenger vehicles under 10,000 pounds (4536 kg), phasing in the regulation starting with 55% of 2009 models (effective 1 September 2008), 75% of 2010 models, 95% of 2011 models, and all 2012 models.[62]"

But I am not sure if my truck has TSC.

 

[Mcgruff]

As always, I'm open to correction is someone knows better, but from my extensive reading on the subject:

TSC is part of the ESC, but requires the integrated trailer brake controller to function. If your truck came with a factory brake controller, then you have TSC. If you install one later, the truck has to be taken to a dealer to be programmed, then you will have TSC. After market brake controllers will not give the truck's computer access to trailer brakes, thus no TSC.

As others have said, I believe that TSC is not active unless things get "out of hand". Sensors in the truck will tell the computer that 1) a trailer is hooked up, 2) the back end of the truck is moving/oscillating, and 3) that movement/oscillation is not due to steering inputs from the driver. If that happens the computer will reduce power/throttle response and apply trailer/truck brakes as it sees fit to counter-act the sway.

There is a company that sells an aftermarket TSC system that attaches to your trailer. It uses motion sensors and GPS to decide if sway is happening and apply trailer brakes if needed. They specifically say that this unit cannot be used on newer RAM/Chevy/Ford trucks with built in brake controllers because it would interfere with the factory system.

 

[Farmer Fran]

I have the factory controller. So I have TSC... cool