Sway Bars

[xrvr]

Uncommon?

[Dan and Liz]

It's not a matter of whether you can tow it -- it's how much weight you take off the front (steering) axle. I wouldn't recommend towing a trailer that large without WD.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by avionstream

Uncommon?

Hi

I do have a tendency to latch onto a word ....

Bob

[Mollysdad]

When I hear "sway bar" I think of a link that prevents the axle from moving sideways on leaf springs. One side is attached to the frame and the other end to the axle. Very helpful in crosswinds.
But everyone veered into WD hitches, so I'm probably overthinking this.

[PKI]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

When I hear "sway bar" I think of a link that prevents the axle from moving sideways on leaf springs.

Good thought - what you describe is a panhard rod and it has some other names. Basically it is as you describe, a link/strut that positions an axle so it does not move from side to side. Most prevalent on coil spring solid axle vehicles as the coils have little lateral resistance. Actually it does allow movement as the link is shorter or longer when the the axle goes up and down. Limited value on heavy stiff leaf springs. Not required on independent suspension designs.

AS nailed it in post 17.

Sway Bar should likely be referenced as a Sway Control Strut. It is a sliding assembly with a disk brake style pad and a screw assembly to push it against a friction surface. Look up "Sway Control " "Unit, Kit, or assembly" on Google.

Here is an example. http://sinisterdiesel.com/i-24087479...SABEgKJlvD_BwE

If that is not what the OP had in mind, we are both over thinking it, but I hope not. Pat

[wildhorses]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

When I hear "sway bar" I think of a link that prevents the axle from moving sideways on leaf springs. One side is attached to the frame and the other end to the axle. Very helpful in crosswinds.
But everyone veered into WD hitches, so I'm probably overthinking this.

LOL! When I heard "sway bars"I was thinking about an new type of drinking establishment, like disco bars, sports bars, etc.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by wildhorses

LOL! When I heard "sway bars"I was thinking about an new type of drinking establishment, like disco bars, sports bars, etc.

Hi

I'll admit, *that's* an interpretation that did not occur to me

Bob

[rmkrum]

Any bar, given sufficient alcohol consumption, is potentially a "sway bar"......🤢

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by rmkrum

Any bar, given sufficient alcohol consumption, is potentially a "sway bar"......🤢

Hi

I've noticed that they generally become a "dang that floor came up and hit my face real fast" bar soon after that point.

Bob

[wildhorses]

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

Hi

I've noticed that they generally become a "dang that floor came up and hit my face real fast" bar soon after that point.

Bob

I was at an establishment that had it's name painted on the ceiling, when I asked the bartender why he replied "So when you fall off the barstool you know where you are to call a cab!"

[cwf]

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-p...on-systems.htm

The above and subsequent pages they have links to, gives a basic overview/understanding of the dynamics/physics of what is happening when towing a trailer (the rig).. and the possibe importance of WD (weight distribution) in general.

From that rudimentary understanding, application in your setup may be better understood..

[wildhorses]

Originally Posted by cwf

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-p...on-systems.htm

The above and subsequent pages they have links to, gives a basic overview/understanding of the dynamics/physics of what is happening when towing a trailer (the rig).. and the possibe importance of WD (weight distribution) in general.

From that rudimentary understanding, application in your setup may be better understood..

Good info, I was taught years ago that trailer towing problems are all about seafood:
Porpoising: Too much weight in the front of the trailer or back of the TV.
Fishtailing: Too much weight in the back of the trailer.
It's all about balance.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

One of the most difficult things to work out is: "Is it the road or my trailer?". Roads that feel ok with a modern suspension on a car may be crazy in a large truck or when towing a trailer. Sorting out what is road and what is weight / balance / hitch / setup related is a matter of experience. In some cases it's a matter of experience with *that* rig. I've found that the performance of my setup radically improves whenever I leave Pennsylvania

Bob

[PKI]

Bob - please add, is it the wind? and why is it different here than there? Pat

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by PKI

Bob - please add, is it the wind? and why is it different here than there? Pat

Hi

Absolutely true. Unless you happen to be a sailor, watching the wind is not something you are used to doing. Wind driving in the hills is particularly tough to keep up with.

Bob

[alissaopp]

Just a word of thanks to all of you who answered my question re "sway bars" (and all of the possible interpretations of those words). I got a WD hitch and what a difference; big improvement.