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In the BO instructions it tells you to start with the 9th link from the top, (opposite from the U bolt), in the latch and adjust from there. I use the 9th link, when towing my 7600# enclosed car trailer and my front fender well rises only 1/2". I've recently replaced my winch, going to a bigger-heavier one and moved the spare tire to the front (inside) as well. This has added roughly 80#'s more to the front of the trailer. Before these changes I was at 980# TW, will need to check it again to see where its at now, may need to move up to the 10th link in the BO, which is a bear to latch in, gotta jack the trailer up almost to its max, or re-position the car in the trailer back some. Surprised BO recommends adjusting to the 10th link, as doing so, adds a half twist to the chain, which I assume is ok. We'll see.
In all the instructions I've read it said start with 3 1/2 links between rotary latch and the spring bar. That would be 8 links from the end of the chain, not the end connected to the spring bar.
This is a great informational thread and just wanted to add my experience after towing with a Blue Ox Swaypro BXW1000 for about 3000 miles.
I have a 2017 XLT with Max Tow and have added Bilsteins 5100(fronts set to 1 3/4") and SumoSpring 1000#
Towing a 33ft Cruiser MPG 2750BH with a dry hitch weight of 680lbs and dry trailer weight of about 6300# (have not hit the scales for loaded weights)
I started on link #9 (from the bar end) as recommended in the most recent Blue Ox instructions. This seems too loose with some sway and I quickly moved it tighter to #10. Using link #10 it drove much better(Austin to Amarillo - ~500 miles) but was still getting some of that porpoising.
In the instructions, it does say you can go to link #11 if needed (which is link #6 from the loose end) so I decided to try this on my drive from Amarillo, TX to Colorado Springs, CO (~365 miles). This is how it felt the best and the way I left it for the rest of the trip which included going over Wolf Creek Pass on the way to Durango(and eventually back home to Austin). Semi going past me in either direction never induce any sway and maybe I get a little push but it moves as one unit.
The only real negative about having it set up this way is needing to jack the trailer up way high to easily engage and disengage the chains.
I did verify with Blue Ox via email if it was ok to run on link #11 (sent them pics via email) and they confirmed it was Ok.
I remember reading a ton of forum posts about Blue Ox and finding there was a decent percentage of people who weren't happy (still getting way etc) and in hindsight, I wonder if these people just needed to go a link or two tighter on the chains.
Blue Ox 1000 at 11 links The rear of the frame is actually a few inches higher than the front in this pic. (Was experimenting with a lowered hitch height)
Disabling the trucks Sway control also tends to eliminate sway felt with the BO. I was skeptical, until I got one and found out that sure enough, the little bit I was feeling went completely away when I disabled it. On mine I had to go the other way and reduce a link as it was too bouncy, but now it hauls great.
I don't feel any sway with Sway Control on (using link 11) but this could have more to do with different trailer dynamics. I thought Sway Control only kicked in when it starts detecting sway and by then you should see the warning lights too?
I do know Blue Ox does recommend disabling Sway Control but not sure they ever gave a detailed explanation why.
Disabling the trucks Sway control also tends to eliminate sway felt with the BO. I was skeptical, until I got one and found out that sure enough, the little bit I was feeling went completely away when I disabled it. On mine I had to go the other way and reduce a link as it was too bouncy, but now it hauls great.
I don't feel any sway with Sway Control on (using link 11) but this could have more to do with different trailer dynamics. I thought Sway Control only kicked in when it starts detecting sway and by then you should see the warning lights too?
I do know Blue Ox does recommend disabling Sway Control but not sure they ever gave a detailed explanation why.
05-16-2018, 03:01 PM
