RV Anti Sway Bar Basics
- Function. Anti-sway bars use the weight of the RV to create stability. ...
- Turning and Passing. Wrestling the steering wheel back and forth to control the RV's swaying will wear you out. ...
- Varieties. ...
- Anti-Sway Bars on Hitch. ...
Full Answer
How does a travel trailer sway bar work?
The trailer sway bar works by stabilizing the trailer, the sway bars prevent swaying by transferring the travel trailer’s weight to the rear of the trailer and its rear axle. The hitch’s anti-sway bars have a spring system that helps to distribute the weight and alleviate the swaying.
Do I need an anti-sway bar for my RV?
Continuous sway of the RV may cause the structure to become compromised and leaks to occur. Several varieties of anti-sway bar systems exist; the type you need depends on the size of the recreational vehicle and its use, such as fifth-wheel trailers, pull trailers or motorhomes. A dual-cam sway control system works on large, long pull trailers.
How does a dual cam sway bar work?
A dual-cam sway control system works on large, long pull trailers. The bars attach to your trailer's swing bars and A-frame, right beside the hitch. The cams hook on either side of the trailer and help prevent sway before it begins. The cams unlock when the trailer turns to allow it to move but still prevent intense swaying.
What is a suspension sway bar?
A suspension sway bar is a U-shaped piece of metal that links your front wheels. The sway bar controls your wheel’s suspension to help keep your RV more aligned. A friction sway control bar is best for small trailers. It attaches to your trailer to help minimize sway once it has already happened (instead of preventing sway).
How do RV anti sway bars work?
Anti-sway bars use the weight of the RV to create stability. You install the bars to the vehicle's frame and chassis. Anti-sway bars designed for a trailer's hitch and tongue also work similarly. They help reduce the vehicle's side-to-side motion by bracing the weight of the vehicle's axle against the chassis.
Are RV sway bars necessary?
Sway bars are important pieces of safety equipment for RVs. They help prevent swaying on the highway and they can even save your vehicle from a dangerous crash or rollover. Some drivers find that sway bars make it harder to turn, but overall, the extra safety is worth it.
Can you pull a camper without sway bars?
You do not need sway bars to tow a travel trailer unless the travel trailer's center of mass is behind its axle. Also, some smaller trucks may need sway bars if they aren't strong enough to resist the natural sway of the travel trailer.
How do towing sway bars work?
The bars go through the brake pads and provide resistance between the tow vehicle and the trailer. As the vehicle moves, the sway bar moves back and forth with the motion of the vehicle, allowing for wind and other forces and preventing the trailer from exerting force on the tow vehicle.
What is the difference between a stabilizer bar and a sway bar?
Sway bar end links are the attachment points between a sway bar and suspension members. Also known as a stabilizer bar or anti-roll bar, the sway bar connects suspension components on either side of the car to minimize body leaning in turns.
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 you back up with sway bars?
Friction sway control bars are designed to work fine going forward when turning or not but not designed to turn when backing up (backing up straight is fine). It can and likely will damage them because apparently the force being applied to them is different when going in reverse.
What size trailer do you need sway bars?
If your trailer has a GTW of 6,000 lbs or less, a single friction-style sway control can be used. If your trailer's GTW is between 6,000 lbs and 10,000 lbs, you will need 2 sway-control units (one on either side of the trailer). You will also want to use 2 units if your trailer is 26' or longer.
What causes a trailer to sway side to side?
Trailer sway can be a result of crosswinds, drafts from passing semi-trucks or descending hills using incorrect braking technique, according to Mark Polk in his RV Tech Tips series on RVTravel.com. The front of trailers are aerodynamic to improve towing gas mileage, but the sides aren't.
When should you use sway bars?
Sway bars are important pieces of safety equipment for RVs. They help prevent swaying on the highway and they can even save your vehicle from a dangerous crash or rollover. Some drivers find that sway bars make it harder to turn, but overall, the extra safety is worth it.
Can too much tongue weight cause trailer sway?
If you don't have enough weight on the trailer tongue, the trailer may be prone to swaying from side to side, making it difficult to control. Conversely, if you have too much weight exerted on the hitch ball, the force could overload the rear tires of the tow vehicle and push the rear end of the vehicle around.
Is a weight distribution hitch the same as a sway bar?
Often times people think sway control and weight distribution are the same thing, but they are not. Luckily for Equal-i-zer hitch customers you get both from one hitch, without any add ons. The big thing about both of these concepts is the increase in safety over a weight carrying hitch.
Is weight distribution hitch necessary?
It's a Required Piece of Equipment. Every truck manufacturer, whether it is for a midsize, 1/2-ton, or heavy-duty, requires a weight-distributing hitch when using a bumper trailer hitch ball. Most mid-size and half-ton trucks require it at 5,000 pounds, while heavy-duty trucks usage can vary from 6,000 to 8,500 pounds.
Can you use sway control without weight distribution?
Yes. If you don't need the weight distribution bars attached to carry the trailer to storage, you can absolutely use just the WD hitch head and ball to tow the trailer. It will work just like a ball mount.
Does sway bar need weight distribution hitch?
Whether you are driving a truck that is a midsize, half-ton, or heavy-duty, a weight distribution hitch will be an important part of your towing setup. Most of the midsize and half-ton trucks out there will require a weight distribution hitch when towing something that is 5,000 pounds or more.
Does a rear sway bar help with towing?
Installing an anti-sway bar at the rear of your truck may help control some of the trailer sway, but will not prevent trailer sway from happening. 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.
Do I NEED a sway bar for my travel trailer?
A sway bar is not essential, but many people feel more comfortable towing a trailer with a sway controller installed.
Do weight distribution hitches come with sway control?
Many newer style weight distribution hitches do have friction plates that work as sway controllers. With this type of hitch, you would not need an...
Do I need braking control if I have a sway bar for my travel trailer?
In some states, it is illegal to tow certain sized trailers without a braking controller.Legality aside, a braking controller will make your overal...
How Tight Should a Trailer Sway Bar Be?
Feel it out, make it about as tight as you think it needs to be, and then drive around to determine if it needs to be tighter or looser .
Can You Backup a Trailer with Sway Bars?
No, trailer sway bars are not designed to turn when backing up but backing up straight is fine. Sway bars are primarily meant to go through the brake pads, with the primary purpose being to provide sufficient resistance between the trailer and the tow vehicle.
Why do you need a sway control bar on a trailer?
Friction sway control bars are cost-effective but interfere with the trailer’s ability to turn, so they need to be removed when backing up or driving in slick conditions. This type of sway control is most useful for smaller towing situations as opposed to longer trailers.
What is a sway control bar?
Friction sway control bars can be added to any hitch, and use friction to prevent the towed vehicle from swaying and bring it back into alignment. They come in a right-hand or left-hand application and one or both can be used for additional sway protection. Friction sway control bars are cost-effective but interfere with the trailer’s ability to turn, so they need to be removed when backing up or driving in slick conditions. This type of sway control is most useful for smaller towing situations as opposed to longer trailers.
What Causes Sway?
The most common causes of sway are gusts of wind, drafts from passing semi-trucks, turns on curvy roads, and imbalanced loads in the trailer. Even a small amount of sway can be exhausting for a driver, forcing constant steering adjustments. Weight distribution and sway prevention systems make for a safer and smoother ride.
Why do tow vehicles use sway controls?
This allows the tow vehicle to ride more level and have more control because the proper weight will be on the steering tires. Sway controls use a friction type device to prevent the trailer from easily swaying from side to side.
What does it mean when a travel trailer sways?
When sway is detected, it pulses your trailer brakes automatically to keep the trailer tracking straight. This can be used in addition to other weight distribution and sway control systems.
What is a dual cam sway control system?
A dual cam sway control system is useful for large trailers. It attaches near the hitch and hooks onto either side of the trailer. The cams prevent sway but unlock when the trailer needs to turn.
How to pack a RV?
Consider your load distribution. Distribute the weight in your RV evenly from front to back and side to side. Move heavier items to the front if needed. A good rule of thumb is 60 percent to the front , 40 percent to the back. Take into account things like slide-outs and appliances, and make sure you compensate by putting heavier items on the opposite side while packing.
What is an RV Sway Bar?
An RV sway bar is an optional add-on for your RV’s suspension system. There are several types of sway bars, but they all have the same job at their core. To reduce sway when driving your RV.
What is a sway control bar?
A friction sway control bar is best for small trailers. It attaches to your trailer to help minimize sway once it has already happened (instead of preventing sway). It works by adding friction to the trailer as it sways to bring things back into alignment slowly.
What Causes Sway?
One common cause of sway is from turning. As your RV turns, the vehicle’s weight shifts to one side. For example, when you turn right, the weight shifts to the right. You can usually control this type of sway pretty easily by slowing down your turns and taking them nice and wide.
What is a dual cam sway bar?
Dual cam sway bars work with a curved spring bar. This design helps the bar move quickly back into place to keep your trailer aligned before sway happens. Although dual cam RV sway bars are more expensive, they are the best choice for regular RVers. If you are on the road often or have a large rig, the extra money is worth it.
Why does my trailer sway?
Another common cause of sway is much harder to mitigate. Wind. Wind or drafts from passing semis can cause sway for both motorhomes and trailers. You might also experience sway if traveling on a bumpy or curvy road.
Why do you need a sway bar?
A sway bar helps reduce tilt during turning. It also helps smooth the ride when traveling on bumpy roads or in windy conditions. Keep reading to find out exactly how they work, and pick the right sway bar for your rig.
How to improve rig handling?
One of the best ways to improve your rig’s handling is to add an RV sway bar.
What does a sway bar do on a camper?
Sway bars help to disperse the weight of a camper much more equally by utilizing the camper's weight to develop stability. It additionally make it less complicated to steer your camper or Motor Home. There are numerous kinds of sway bars that all function a little bit different and they also come in at different costs.
Why do campers have sway bars?
Adding one will help to prevent any future sway that may happen.
How to help control trailer sway?
The best direction to take is to activate manual brake control by hand.
Do sway bars help towing?
When you install a sway bar it helps to prevent the vehicle's sway and body roll of the tow vehicle. This however does not prevent sway on the vehicle being towed. For that, you need a sway control weight distribution hitch.
How tight should a sway bar be?
A sway bar should be tightened to the point where your steering does not spring to the center location when you turn a corner and then you should back it out just a little. Test how you much you have tightened it by going for a short drive and adjust as needed. If you can't get the results you are looking for then you might need a second one.
Do you need a sway bar with a weight distribution hitch?
A sway bar with a weight distribution hitch is always a good idea as it helps with getting a more comfortable ride.
Are sway bars really worth it?
Sway bars are worth every penny especially if you notice that your recreational vehicle has been swaying recently.
How do anti sway bars work?
Anti-sway bars designed for a trailer's hitch and tongue also work similarly. They help reduce the vehicle's side-to-side motion by bracing the weight of the vehicle's axle against the chassis. The anti-sway bars distribute the recreational vehicle's weight evenly. The bar on each side effectively holds the vehicle when a gust of wind hits it.
What is anti sway bar?
Anti-sway bars stabilize the vehicle on every curve and keep it from swaying. They give the RV more maneuverability, especially when passing other vehicles on the road. Preventing ongoing sway will help keep the recreational vehicle's structure stable and prevent unneeded wear and tear. Continuous sway of the RV may cause ...
What do cams do on a trailer?
The cams hook on either side of the trailer and help prevent sway before it begins. 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.
Why do recreational vehicles sway?
A recreational vehicle will sway from side to side when traveling down a road. The motion makes it difficult to control the vehicle and creates an unpleasant ride. Affixing anti-sway bars to the vehicle's suspension system or hitch will help stabilize it and reduce the swaying motion. Passing trucks and gusts of wind will no longer cause ...
How to drop a trailer on a ball hitch?
Lift the trailer socket, and drop it onto the vehicle's ball hitch.
How to get used to hauling a trailer?
Drive around your neighborhood slowly to get used to hauling a trailer. You'll need to widen your turning radius and begin braking at least two to three seconds earlier than usual. Once you get a feel for driving with an attached trailer, you can begin hauling your travel gear cross-country.
Where is the female connector on a hitch?
The female connector is often embedded below the hitch, or it is dangling from a wire near the hitch. Many vehicles and trailers use a 7-pin RV connector. If your vehicle or trailer uses a less-common 4-pin connector, plug a 7-pin to 4-pin adapter into the circuit.
Installing Sway Bars for Camper
Anti-sway bars can be installed on the vehicle’s frame or on the hitch and tongue. Here are instructions on how to install a standard friction sway control unit. You’ll need a sway control unit, some lubrication, a marker, and a screwdriver.
Hooking Up the Sway Bar
Put some grease or a drop of oil on both balls. Place the socket of the slide bar over the ball and keep it steady with a spring clip. Loosen the handle.
Taking Proper Adjustments
One of the concerns in using a trailer anti sway bar is how tight it should be to work properly? Should I tighten it as much as I can, then rewind half a turn, or leave it at that position?
Unhooking The Sway Control
When you need to replace or refine the anti-sway bars, you have to unhook them safely. Unhitching the sway control can be pretty easy.
How Do Sway Bars Work on a Trailer?
Anti-sway bars help make your RV stable. They use the RV weight to prevent the vehicle from moving from side to side. Each bar on the side keeps the vehicle steady amidst heavy winds and rocky roads.
Conclusion
Getting on the road is a truly complex job because you’ll need to deal with heavy gusts of wind and curvy roads. To improve your safety, you’ll need to know how to use anti-sway bars on a travel trailer. These stabilizers will help keep your vehicle steady and make your driving smooth.
What causes a travel trailer to sway?
The four main outside forces that cause a travel trailer to sway include wind, crosswinds from passing vehicles, improperly aligned tires on the travel trailer, and improper weight distribution between the tow vehicle and the travel trailer.
What causes a trailer to sway back and forth?
Trailer sway is caused when untended outside forces act on the hinge point between the tow vehicle and the trailer, causing the trailer to sway back and forth.
Do Fifth Wheels Sway or Need Trailer Sway Bars?
While it’s possible for a fifth to sway during extremely windy conditions, in general, fifth wheels do not sway or need trailer sway bars as other travel trailers do.
Why is the hinge point between the tow vehicle and the travel trailer important?
This hinge point between the tow vehicle and the travel trailer is important because it allows the rig to turn easier and adjust for elevation differences between the tow vehicle and the trailer on uneven terrain.
Why is the fifth wheel brought forward?
This is because the trailer hitch point on a fifth wheel is brought forward over the rear axle of the tow vehicle instead of behind it , allowing the tow vehicle and fifth wheel to act more like a signal vehicle as opposed to separate ones.
Is a sway bar part of a tow system?
While a trailer sway bar can be a part of an overall tow system that might include a sway bar as well as weight-distribution hitch they are also sold separately like the one above.
Can a trailer sway bar and a hitch be sold together?
But while they can be sold together as a set, a trailer sway bar and a weight-distribution hitch are two separate pieces of equipment that are designed to do very different things.
How do sway bars work?
Your vehicle’s sway bars work by providing an outlet for all that force; by controlling where it goes, your vehicle can stay stable and handle those sharp turns a little better. Sway bars do this by twisting as your vehicle turns. As soon as your vehicle is done turning, the sway bars straighten back out.
What Is a Sway Bar?
A sway bar, also known as an anti-sway bar, anti-roll bar, or a stabilizer bar, is typically a u-shaped metal bar connected to the strut or control arm, located by each of the vehicle’s wheels. Not every vehicle has a sway bar, and there are multiple types.
What is a hollow sway bar?
Hollow Sway Bars. Hollow or tubular sway bars are identical to solid sway bars in every way but one. Instead of a solid metal bar, the sway bar is hollow on the inside. This has several performance benefits, and they are typically long-lasting as well.
How to remove sway bar on a car?
Remove one side at a time and pull the sway bar out of the wheel well. Since the sway bar is typically u-shaped, you won’t be able to pull it straight out.
Why are sway bars called anti roll bars?
That’s because they limit how much your vehicle sways when rounding corners or while turning.
What does a shock absorber do?
Instead, shock absorbers keep your vehicle from bouncing excessively and give you a smooth and comfortable ride.
Why do you need a sway bar?
The simplest explanation for a sway bar’s purpose is to keep all four of your wheels on the ground to prevent you from accidentally flipping your vehicle.
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