RV Gear Lab

We research everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more

Buying guide · 10 min read · Updated October 2, 2026

6 Best Anti Sway Hitch in 2026: A Practical RV Guide

Compare complete anti-sway hitch kits and bolt-on adapters for travel trailers, with clear notes on what each part does and does not include.

Bowen HigginsBy Bowen HigginsRV Editor at RV Gear Lab6 products comparedSpec-sheet researched

At a glance

Our top picks

At a glance · 6 picks

  1. Weight Distribution Hitch with Sway Control Bar
    Best OverallWeight Distribution Hitch with Sway Control Bar↓ See why we picked it
    Check price
  2. FAHKNS Weight Distribution Hitch
    Best Mid-Capacity KitFAHKNS Weight Distribution Hitch↓ See why we picked it
    Check price
  3. Fastway Connect™ Weight Distribution Hitch
    Best Chain-Style HitchFastway Connect™ Weight Distribution Hitch↓ See why we picked it
    Check price
  4. Trailer Hitch Sway Control Adapter
    Best Add-On AdapterTrailer Hitch Sway Control Adapter↓ See why we picked it
    Check price
  5. Anti Sway Trailer Hitch Adapter
    Best Budget AdapterAnti Sway Trailer Hitch Adapter↓ See why we picked it
    Check price
  6. CURT 40093 Replacement Trailer Sway Control Ball
    Best Spare PartCURT 40093 Replacement Trailer Sway Control Ball↓ See why we picked it
    Check price

Shopping for an anti-sway hitch means sorting complete systems from parts that only support one. This list shows both, so you can see where a full kit earns its price and where a cheap adapter is enough.

We evaluated listings for named sway components, stated weight ratings and fit, then ranked complete kits first. Parts that need a separate bar or an existing hitch are labeled plainly.

RV Gear Lab field notes

The Rig Fit Check

Start with the job
Weight Distribution Hitch with Sway Control Bar leads this shortlist for Heavier travel trailers. Use that fit as a reference point, then compare the alternatives against your own space and workload.
Specs that separate the picks
The first details to compare are Up to 14,000 lbs towing capacity, 12,000 lbs towing capacity, 1,000 lb max tongue weight. Confirm the exact model and included components before ordering.
Trade-off to plan for
Priciest of the complete kits here

Before you buy

What Matters Before You Choose an Anti Sway Hitch

Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.

  1. 01

    Sway device actually named

    An anti-sway hitch should include a part whose job is to resist yaw, such as a sway control lever, friction bar or cam bracket. This matters because plain weight distribution moves load between axles but does not by itself resist the trailer swinging side to side. Read the listing for words like sway control bar or sway bracket, not just stability or smooth towing.

  2. 02

    Complete kit or accessory

    Some products here are full hitches and others are adapters, balls or pins that only work alongside a hitch you already own. Buying an accessory expecting a system leaves you with no sway resistance at all. Check the title and the included parts list, and look for phrases like sold separately.

  3. 03

    Tongue weight rating match

    Tongue weight is the downward force on the ball, typically around 10 to 15 percent of a loaded trailer's weight. A hitch rated far above your number can ride stiff, while one rated below it is unsafe. Weigh your loaded trailer or use your trailer's listed tongue weight, then pick a rating in a sensible band above it.

  4. 04

    Receiver and shank fit

    The shank must match your receiver size, usually 2 inch, and its drop or rise must level the trailer. If the shank cannot reach level, sway control is working from a bad starting geometry. Measure from the ground to the receiver and to the coupler with the trailer level, then compare to the listed shank options.

  5. 05

    Friction versus integrated control

    A friction bar adds drag after sway starts and typically needs to be loosened for backing up or slick roads, while integrated systems are built into the hitch head and brackets. Friction add-ons cost far less but need more attention at each hookup. Decide how much setup you will do every trip before choosing.

  6. 06

    Hardware does not fix the load

    Sway usually starts when tongue weight is too low, speed is high, tires are underinflated or crosswinds hit. Even the best hardware cannot fully correct a bad load. Re-weigh cargo toward the front axle of the trailer and verify tire pressure before blaming the hitch.

Our standards

Why You Can Trust RV Gear Lab

At RV Gear Lab, we compare products based on rig fit and power or hookup compatibility, verified specifications, usability, setup requirements, weight, durability, and real-world trade-offs. We do not rank products purely on marketing claims or commission rates.

We have not personally tested every product listed. Where hands-on testing is not available, recommendations are based on verified manufacturer specifications, product documentation, use-case fit, and comparative research.

How we review RV gear →

Detailed reviews

The 6 best anti sway hitch, explained

01

Best Overall · 1 of 6

Weight Distribution Hitch with Sway Control Bar

Weight Distribution Hitch with Sway Control Bar
  • Up to 14,000 lbs towing capacity
  • 6-hole height adjustment
  • Alloy steel, rust-resistant coating
Check price on Amazon for Weight Distribution Hitch with Sway Control Bar (opens in a new tab)
Best for: Heavier travel trailers

Our take

Choose it if you want one purchase that covers both jobs on a mid-to-large travel trailer.

Why it made the shortlist

The ball on the head is pre-installed and the square shank has 6 height adjustment holes, which matters when you are dialing in level.

What works

  • Sway control lever included with spring bars
  • Ball comes pre-installed on the head
  • Six shank holes make leveling quicker
  • Coated alloy steel resists rust outdoors

Watch out for

  • Priciest of the complete kits here
The catch
It sits above the FAHKNS 12K Kit on capacity headroom, and it costs more for that margin.
Check price on Amazon for Weight Distribution Hitch with Sway Control Bar (opens in a new tab)
02

Best Mid-Capacity Kit · 2 of 6

FAHKNS Weight Distribution Hitch

FAHKNS Weight Distribution Hitch
  • 12,000 lbs towing capacity
  • Up to 1,200 lbs tongue weight
  • 6-hole square shank
Check price on Amazon for FAHKNS Weight Distribution Hitch (opens in a new tab)
Best for: Midsize trailers

Our take

Best for midsize travel trailer owners who want sway resistance and weight distribution in one box.

Why it made the shortlist

This is the lower-capacity sibling of the 14K kit, with the listing stating up to 12,000 lbs of towing capacity and tongue weights up to 1,200 lbs. It has the same pre-installed ball and a square shank with 6 holes for height changes.

Next to the FAHKNS 14K Kit you give up 2,000 lbs of stated capacity and save money, which is a fair swap if your loaded trailer is well under that mark. It is a complete system, unlike the Fastway Connect, whose listing leans on chain-based weight distribution alone.

If you plan to upgrade to a bigger trailer soon, the extra headroom of the 14K version is cheap insurance.

What works

  • Spring bars counter sway while towing
  • Pre-installed ball cuts assembly time
  • Rust-resistant coating for outdoor use

Watch out for

  • Lower ceiling than the 14K kit
  • Little detail on bar length or class
Check price on Amazon for FAHKNS Weight Distribution Hitch (opens in a new tab)
03

Best Chain-Style Hitch · 3 of 6

Fastway Connect™ Weight Distribution Hitch

Fastway Connect™ Weight Distribution Hitch
  • 1,000 lb max tongue weight
  • 10,000 lb max trailer weight
  • No frame drilling needed
Check price on Amazon for Fastway Connect™ Weight Distribution Hitch (opens in a new tab)
Best for: Lighter trailers, easy adjustment

Our take

Pick it for a lighter trailer where weight distribution is the main need and you may add a separate sway bar later.

Why it made the shortlist

The Fastway Connect is a weight distribution hitch with hardened steel chains that run from the arms to the trailer frame hooks. The listing states 1,000 lb maximum tongue weight and 10,000 lb maximum trailer weight, and says it installs with no frame drilling.

Adjustment is by moving the chain to a different link, which is simpler than bracket-based systems like the FAHKNS 12K Kit.

What works

  • Chain links make adjustment simple
  • Fits RV, cargo, horse and ATV trailers
  • Clear tongue and trailer weight limits
  • No frame drilling to install

Watch out for

  • No sway control device is named
  • Lower weight limits than the FAHKNS kits
The catch
The tradeoff for an anti-sway shopper is that the listing describes improved towing stability but never names a sway control device.
Check price on Amazon for Fastway Connect™ Weight Distribution Hitch (opens in a new tab)
04

Best Add-On Adapter · 4 of 6

Trailer Hitch Sway Control Adapter

Trailer Hitch Sway Control Adapter
  • Fits Class III and IV 2" mounts
  • Two-sided friction bar adapter
  • Thickened steel construction
Check price on Amazon for Trailer Hitch Sway Control Adapter (opens in a new tab)
Best for: Adding a sway bar cheaply

Our take

A smart fit if you already own a compatible ball mount and want to add sway resistance cheaply.

Why it made the shortlist

The listing says it fits Class III and Class IV 2 inch square ball mounts and is made of thickened steel.

Compared with the SHUJUKU Single-Sided, the two-sided design is described as an upgrade from one side, so it can carry a bar on either side.

What works

  • Accepts a friction bar on either side
  • Very low cost next to full hitches
  • No welding needed to install
  • Fits common 2 inch square ball mounts

Watch out for

  • Friction bar is sold separately
  • Only works with square 2 inch mounts
Check price on Amazon for Trailer Hitch Sway Control Adapter (opens in a new tab)
05

Best Budget Adapter · 5 of 6

Anti Sway Trailer Hitch Adapter

Anti Sway Trailer Hitch Adapter
  • Class III and IV 2" mounts
  • 1.02" main hole, 0.3" thick
  • Black anti-rust coating
Check price on Amazon for Anti Sway Trailer Hitch Adapter (opens in a new tab)
Best for: Tight-budget one-bar setups

Our take

Good for a simple one-bar setup on a ball mount you already own.

Why it made the shortlist

The SHUJUKU adapter is the single-sided version of the same idea, listed as a 26003-style friction sway control adapter for Class III and IV 2 inch square ball mounts. It lists a 1.02 inch main hole, a 0.66 inch secondary hole and 0.3 inch thickness, with a black anti-rust coat.

Against the CURT 40093 Ball, it is the bracket rather than the ball, so the two parts solve different problems.

What works

  • Hole sizes are listed for easy checking
  • Black anti-rust coat resists corrosion
  • Thickened steel resists bending

Watch out for

  • Single side only limits bar placement
  • No sway bar included
Check price on Amazon for Anti Sway Trailer Hitch Adapter (opens in a new tab)
06

Best Spare Part · 6 of 6

CURT 40093 Replacement Trailer Sway Control Ball

CURT 40093 Replacement Trailer Sway Control Ball
  • 1-1/4" ball, 5/8" shank
  • Fits CURT sway unit 17200
  • Chrome-plated high-strength steel
Check price on Amazon for CURT 40093 Replacement Trailer Sway Control Ball (opens in a new tab)
Best for: Replacing a lost sway ball

Our take

It will not add sway resistance to a hitch by itself.

Why it made the shortlist

This is a 1-1/4 inch replacement sway control ball with a 5/8 x 1-3/4 inch shank, made for the CURT sway control unit #17200. It is high-strength steel with a chrome finish and comes with a zinc hex nut and helical lock washer.

Its job is to restore a worn or lost ball on a system you already own.

What works

  • Fits most weight distribution hitches listed
  • Chrome plating resists rust
  • Hardware included for mounting
  • Very low cost

Watch out for

  • Does nothing without a sway unit
  • Narrow fit, built for CURT 17200
The catch
It is the cheapest line item in this guide and the only one that is purely a spare, so it ranks last against adapters like the SHUJUKU Single-Sided that at least extend a hitch.
Check price on Amazon for CURT 40093 Replacement Trailer Sway Control Ball (opens in a new tab)

Methodology

How We Built This Shortlist

Each pick was assessed across 5 criteria weighted for real-world use.

01

Complete system or add-on

We compared listings to separate full hitches (the FAHKNS kits and Fastway Connect) from parts that only add or support sway resistance.

02

Named sway device

We checked whether each listing actually names a sway control component, since stability language alone does not prove one is included.

03

Stated weight limits

Tongue weight, trailer weight and towing figures were noted only where the listing states them, and gaps are called out.

04

Fit and mounting

We evaluated stated shank, receiver and mount compatibility, such as Class III and IV 2 inch ball mounts.

05

Install effort

Pre-installed balls, chain links and bolt-on adapters were weighed for how much work a first-time owner faces.

Decision guide

Match an Anti Sway Hitch to Your RV

By Trailer Weight and Sway Concern

Your situationRecommended pickWhy
Heavier travel trailer, want one complete kitFAHKNS 14K KitHighest stated towing capacity here and a named sway control lever.
Midsize trailer with a stated tongue weight limitFAHKNS 12K KitLists up to 1,200 lbs tongue weight and 12,000 lbs capacity.
Lighter trailer, easy chain adjustmentFastway ConnectLists 1,000 lb tongue and 10,000 lb trailer limits, but no sway device.
Already own a 2 inch square ball mountJIANBENKJ Two-SidedAdds a bar mount on either side for a small outlay.
Replacing a lost or worn sway ballCURT 40093 BallA direct spare for the CURT 17200 sway unit.

By Budget

BudgetRecommended pick
$10 to $30CURT 40093 Ball or SHUJUKU Single-Sided
$20 to $200JIANBENKJ Two-Sided or Fastway Connect
$220 to $280FAHKNS 12K Kit or FAHKNS 14K Kit

Complete Hitch vs Add-On Adapter

Complete hitch

A full hitch combines spring bars with a sway lever or brackets, so one purchase covers weight distribution and sway. The FAHKNS 14K Kit and FAHKNS 12K Kit are the two complete systems here, and the Fastway Connect is a complete weight distribution hitch without a named sway device.

Add-on adapter

An adapter such as the JIANBENKJ Two-Sided or SHUJUKU Single-Sided bolts a friction bar mount onto an existing ball mount. It costs far less but depends on you owning a compatible mount and buying the bar separately. The CURT 40093 Ball is a spare part within this group.

Most owners shopping for anti-sway protection should default to the FAHKNS 12K Kit unless they already have a good ball mount.

By Setup Preference

PreferenceRecommended pick
Fewest parts to assembleFAHKNS 14K Kit
Simplest adjustment at the hitchFastway Connect
Lowest total costSHUJUKU Single-Sided
Bar on either side of the mountJIANBENKJ Two-Sided

For First-Time Towing Setups Specifically

Look for

Look for a listing that names a sway device and states both tongue and trailer weight limits, as the FAHKNS 12K Kit does.

In this comparison

The FAHKNS 12K Kit meets both: it lists up to 1,200 lbs tongue weight and 12,000 lbs capacity with a pre-installed ball.

When to Spend More

Spend more if

Spend more if your trailer is heavy or you tow often: the FAHKNS 14K Kit adds headroom and a named sway lever, and a bigger margin lowers the odds of buying twice.

Save if

Save if your trailer is light or you already own a hitch: the SHUJUKU Single-Sided or JIANBENKJ Two-Sided adds a mount for little money, and the CURT 40093 Ball covers a simple spare.

FAQ

Before You Bring One Home

Is an anti-sway hitch the same as a weight distribution hitch?

No. Weight distribution moves some tongue load to the tow vehicle's front axle and the trailer axles, while anti-sway components resist the trailer swinging side to side. Many kits include both, like the FAHKNS 14K Kit, but a chain-only kit like the Fastway Connect names no sway device.

What is the most common mistake when adding an anti-sway adapter?

Buying the adapter and assuming it provides sway resistance. Pieces like the JIANBENKJ Two-Sided only mount a bar, so you still need a friction sway bar. Check that the bar is included or order it alongside.

Is a complete kit worth it over cheap add-ons?

If you do not already own a compatible ball mount, yes, because the FAHKNS 12K Kit gives you hitch, bars and sway lever in one package. Add-ons make sense only when you already own a good 2 inch square mount and want a low-cost upgrade.

How do I set up the sway control after hooking up?

Hook up, level the trailer, then tension the spring bars and set the sway lever or bar according to the instructions. Test with a short drive before a long one, and recheck bolts after the first trip.

Do I need to remove friction sway bars sometimes?

Friction-style bars are generally loosened or removed when backing up, in tight turns or on slick roads, because they resist turning. Keep the clips or pins handy and store the bar so the contact surfaces stay clean.

Bottom line

The short version

Browse more anti sway hitch on Amazon →
Bowen Higgins, RV Editor at RV Gear Lab

About the author

Bowen Higgins

RV Editor at RV Gear Lab

Bowen covers RV power, water systems, towing and leveling, upkeep and interior comfort, with a focus on matching gear to the rig, the hookups and the way you actually travel.

More from Bowen →Editorial standards

Keep reading

Related guides

Best Sway Control HitchBest Sway Control Hitch For Travel TrailerBest RV Sway Control HitchBest Trailer Sway Control Hitch