Installing a sway bar helps reduce the body roll and sway you will see on the tow vehicle, but does very little in preventing the trailer from swaying. Installing a weight distribution hitch with sway control will be the best option for preventing trailer sway.
Is a sway bar necessary for towing?
Sway control is not absolutely necessary for towing but is a factor that needs to be addressed if the trailer is unstable behind the vehicle. Active sway control is more consistent than the friction type and is built into a weight distribution system for the best towing performance and safety.
Do sway bars make a difference towing?
A sway bar and distribution hitch will help with trailer sway but you should still be careful how you pack your trailer. Putting more weight in the front helps reduce sway and driving slow during high winds is advisable. Even with a high tech sway bar or anti-sway hitch trailer sway can still happen.
Can you tow with a sway bar?
Although theyre not required, adding a sway bar will provide a much more comfortable and stable towing experience and give you peace of mind. A vehicle-based sway bar is usually not required to pull a trailer, or the factory sway bars are typically adequate.
How does a sway bar work for towing?
A dual-cam sway control system works on large, long pull trailers. The bars attach to your trailers swing bars and A-frame, right beside the hitch. The cams unlock when the trailer turns to allow it to move but still prevent intense swaying. Hitches with attached anti-sway bars work on small tongue trailers.
Can you pull a trailer without sway bars?
10-12% of your trailers weight should be at the hitch. Sway bars are like so many other optional things some folks swear by them, others have no opinion, and still others can do without. Its only a matter of what makes you the most comfortable.
Should I use two sway control bars?
Basically, one friction-style sway control can be used for trailers with up to 6,000-lb GTW. If your trailers GTW is between 6,000 lbs and 10,000 lbs, you will need two sway-control units, one on each side of the trailer. You will also want to use two units if your trailer is 26 feet or longer.
How do you reduce sway when towing?
Checklist for Preventing Trailer Sway:Load your trailer with 60% of the cargo weight in the front half of the trailer box.Dont overload your tow vehicle.Dont exceed your trailers maximum gross weight.Only load cargo on the inside of the trailer. Maintain a speed of 55 miles per hour or less.
Do I need 2 sway control bars?
Basically, one friction-style sway control can be used for trailers with up to 6,000-lb GTW. If your trailers GTW is between 6,000 lbs and 10,000 lbs, you will need two sway-control units, one on each side of the trailer. You will also want to use two units if your trailer is 26 feet or longer.
How tight should a sway control be?
You would make it about as tight as you think it needs to be and then tow the trailer to see if it needs to be tighter or looser. If you made it as tight as you can then you would not be able to move the bar by hand but the force of the trailer pushing it around can move it.
How do I stop swaying when towing?
Checklist for Preventing Trailer Sway:Load your trailer with 60% of the cargo weight in the front half of the trailer box.Dont overload your tow vehicle.Dont exceed your trailers maximum gross weight.Only load cargo on the inside of the trailer. Maintain a speed of 55 miles per hour or less.
How tight should a trailer sway bar be?
You would make it about as tight as you think it needs to be and then tow the trailer to see if it needs to be tighter or looser. If you made it as tight as you can then you would not be able to move the bar by hand but the force of the trailer pushing it around can move it.
Can towing a trailer damage a transmission?
Towing can put a strain on your trucks transmission If the fluid levels are inadequate, towing will overwork the components and cause serious damage. Uneven weight distribution can also damage your truck.