Hayes Sway-Master

Does anyone have any experience with the Hayes Sway-Master Electronic Sway Control (part # 81775)? After our experience with ice and wind in Wyoming, I was wondering if there weren't a better method than either a sway bar or a sway-control hitch to minimize the chance of what happened from happening again. I saw the Hayes Sway-Master, and looked at what information I could find. It looks good and the Hayes literature about it does mention ice, especially in combination with other factors, as something this could help with.

I ordered it from etrailer. I had found an online advertisement from PPL Motorhomes for this item, but since etrailer offers their lowest price pledge, I cited the PPLMotorhome web page and ordered from etrailer. I was charged the $299, but the difference should be refunded.

I will install this before we tow again. Not that I anticipate towing on ice, but if some situation arises, I want to be prepared. Doing a 180 on I80 once in a lifetime is enough!

In my case, i wondered if I had one more hand and been able to reach the manual control to apply the trailer brakes when the sliding started if it would have helped pull things back into line. I did what I was taught and let off the gas and counter-steered when I felt the sliding beginning. However, the wind was pushing us and it got worse and then the back side of the R-Pod hit the bridge guard rail and kicked us around into the spin. What I have been able to find out seems to be pretty positive. I really would like to be able to get on a skid pad with it and see how it works. I think my wife would object though.

It is really a minor cost when compared with what I will be paying in repairs or replacement. My deductible for the trailer insurance is $200.00. That is on top of the $500 for the Escape. I'm still waiting on word from Forest River as to whether our escaPOD can be repaired, or if it will be totaled because it would be too expensive to fix (dealer's service department estimated $15,000+). I don't know what my insurance would offer if it is considered totaled. I am sure it won't be what I paid for it originally, so I would be out however much it would take to replace it also.  I'm already out $700. If the Sway-Master can prevent a future repeat, then the cost is well worth it.

I'll know more when I get it installed and can take it out on the road for testing. The one detailed review was very positive. The others were not so useful as neither of them included actual experience. The Q&A section was helpful. I read there that the brake application is not full-on, so wear should not be a problem.