Anti-sway when towing with Invisi/Stealth/BMW hitches and OEM active harness

[milkyway]

I have 2015 35d with Invisihitch using OEM active harness/module and wired Tekonsha P3 brake controller. I have all the coded trailer features when harness/trailer is hooked up (like rear camera hitch zoom, disabled pdc, and trailer light out notification except not sure the following one

Stability Controls- Utilized anti-lock brakes to dampen trailer sway in unsafe conditions

Anybody know the easy way to find it out?

I ask this because sometimes I feel a little sway/fishtail when I tow trailer at > 70 mph (I know I shouldn't drive > 65 when towing).

Invisi/Stealth/BMW hitches can't use any mechanic weight distribution hitch and sway control bar. I wonder even with the above anti-sway coded feature working, it is still probably not good enough to control the sway unless the coded feature can also apply trailer braking without driver applying X5's brakes . I have found Sway Command Electronic Sway Control System at etrailer and amazon

https://www.etrailer.com/p-LC380605.html
https://www.amazon.com/Trailair-Sway.../dp/B07CP9VV26

It detects sway and apply trailer brake. Wonder if it works and anybody has used it and has some opinions.

TIA

[RED_Y_]

Check this thread out, has some helpful info on this topic:
https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1665188

[X Mon™]

Originally Posted by milkyway

Stability Controls- Utilized anti-lock brakes to dampen trailer sway in unsafe conditions

Anybody know the easy way to find it out?

It's as easy as checking the coding of the DSC and Integrated Chassis Management modules. Did you use K235 or 3AC? Moreover did you code it yourself, or did someone else?

Originally Posted by milkyway

Invisi/Stealth/BMW hitches can't use any mechanic weight distribution hitch and sway control bar. I wonder even with the above anti-sway coded feature working, it is still probably not good enough to control the sway unless the coded feature can also apply trailer braking without driver applying X5's brakes . I have found Sway Command Electronic Sway Control System at etrailer and amazon

It detects sway and apply trailer brake. Wonder if it works and anybody has used it and has some opinions.

I don't have experience with the Lippert based unit. However, I think the bigger question here is if the trailer based accelerometer package will do better or worse than that of the X5 based algorithms.

[1norseman]

I can't help you with coding, or the brake controllers; But are you on airbags, or coil springs, and is the ball mount the correct height?
Years ago I ran into issues with Uhaul trailers being too tall for the standard Stealthhitch ball mount and my lowered X5.

I have the rear airbags "spring" that helps to keep level, but towing a 7 series on a Uhaul carhauler that was a bit low in the front, and I got a bad sway at around 60-65mph.
Now I have a the tallest version of the Stealthhitch ballmount, and Uhaul trailers ride perfectly level. Makes a difference in how the trailer pulls behind the car.
So my point is that it might be more than just a brake controller or programming you are dealing with. You also need to considering trailer tongue weight and height.

[milkyway]

[QUOTE=X Mon™;28524202]It's as easy as checking the coding of the DSC and Integrated Chassis Management module. Did you use K235 or 3AC? Moreover did you code it yourself, or did someone else?

I didn't code it, a local body shop installed the hitch. I can use ISTA (without coding/programming) a little, like registering new battery. Can ISTA shows the following feature in question?

Stability Controls- Utilized anti-lock brakes to dampen trailer sway in unsafe conditions

[milkyway]

Originally Posted by 1norseman

I can't help you with coding, or the brake controllers; But are you on airbags, or coil springs, and is the ball mount the correct height?
Years ago I ran into issues with Uhaul trailers being too tall for the standard Stealthhitch ball mount and my lowered X5.

I have the rear airbags "spring" that helps to keep level, but towing a 7 series on a Uhaul carhauler that was a bit low in the front, and I got a bad sway at around 60-65mph.
Now I have a the tallest version of the Stealthhitch ballmount, and Uhaul trailers ride perfectly level. Makes a difference in how the trailer pulls behind the car.
So my point is that it might be more than just a brake controller or programming you are dealing with. You also need to considering trailer tongue weight and height.

My X5 has standard suspension, without adaptive suspension/airbag.

I think my trailer is pretty leveled with the towing X5. Here is the picture
https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...&postcount=154

[1norseman]

Originally Posted by milkyway

My X5 has standard suspension, without adaptive suspension/airbag.

I think my trailer is pretty leveled with the towing X5. Here is the picture
https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...&postcount=154

How heavy are those spare tires all the way to the back of trailer?

You really want to try to keep all weight in the middle of trailer, above the axle, even if that means letting spare tires ride inside the camper instead. Having that much weigh that far back, can make sway worse.

[X Mon™]

NO, you need to look at the coding of the modules I mentioned above via ESys at this point.

Originally Posted by milkyway

I didn't code it, a local body shop installed the hitch. I can use ISTA (without coding/programming) a little, like registering new battery. Can ISTA shows the following feature in question?

Stability Controls- Utilized anti-lock brakes to dampen trailer sway in unsafe conditions

[milkyway]

Originally Posted by 1norseman

How heavy are those spare tires all the way to the back of trailer?

You really want to try to keep all weight in the middle of trailer, above the axle, even if that means letting spare tires ride inside the camper instead. Having that much weigh that far back, can make sway worse.

Good catch. Later I put the 2 spare tires on each side the carrier, see the pic.

Also found 2 bolts/nuts to the frame at back of trailer were loose, and I tightened them up.
I would estimate 2 tires are about 70 lbs, the total weight on carrier is about 250 lbs.

[milkyway]

Originally Posted by X Mon™

NO, you need to look at the coding of the modules I mentioned above via ESys at this point.

Thank you. I have E-SYS 3.27.1 installed, but I haven't gotten a chance to learn and use it. I definitely like to try to get my feet wet with it. Now is good time familiarize it by just looking it current coding parameters' values not coding any. Can you/anybody give a brief steps/instructions in E-SYS to look the coding parameters' values in question?

[1norseman]

Originally Posted by milkyway

Good catch. Later I put the 2 spare tires on each side the carrier, see the pic.

Also found 2 bolts/nuts to the frame at back of trailer were loose, and I tightened them up.
I would estimate 2 tires are about 70 lbs, the total weight on carrier is about 250 lbs.

250lbs all the way to the back can increase risk of sway, and will make it worse once you get sway.
I'd take off all the weight at the back, do a test drive, and see if anything changes.
Even if you have or get the correct programming, it won't remove the reasons you get sway, but might mitigate the problem.

[milkyway]

Originally Posted by 1norseman

250lbs all the way to the back can increase risk of sway, and will make it worse once you get sway.
I'd take off all the weight at the back, do a test drive, and see if anything changes.
Even if you have or get the correct programming, it won't remove the reasons you get sway, but might mitigate the problem.

Thank you and agree. I have 2 2000W generators there for the most other weight. I'm thinking to have them on a front tongue carrier to balance the weight out.

[1norseman]

Originally Posted by milkyway

Thank you and agree. I have 2 2000W generators there for the most other weight. I'm thinking to have them on a front tongue carrier to balance the weight out.

Adding weight to the front, to compensate for weight in the back, is not a great solution either.
The trailer wheels is the center of trailer, and the further away from the wheels, that you add weight, the worse it is for sway, regardless of front or back.
If using weight on front to balance out the back, you will also make the trailer easier, compared to trying to add the weight above the wheels.

If you keep having problems with trailer sway, you might want to consider transporting what you can inside the trailer, and then when camping, use the outside storage space for stuff.