Sway Bar Question

[tjwoods1]

I have a question that I get a different answer for depending on who I ask. I’m hoping experts here in the forums can help.

I currently have a Husky Centerline Hitch which is very similar to the Equalizer Hitch. With my older 16’ Sport I had used sway bars rated 400-600 lbs that worked (as per spec instructions) with a Max. Gross Trailer Weight of 6,000 lbs. (The Sport was 3,500 and I doubt we ever got it to 3,000 lbs. and the AS listed Tongue Weight is 350)
I am upgrading to a 19’ Flying Cloud that has a listed tongue weight of 550 lbs. but only a 4,500 max Gross Trailer Weight. (Again I doubt we will hit 4,000). My question is, will my 400-600 lbs sway bars still be within specs? Keep in mind I’ll be adding a hitch head and of course cargo that will add to the tongue weight, but I’m still way below Max. Gross Trailer Weight for those bars. Would I need to up my sway bars to 600-800 (that goes with a Max. Gross Trailer Weight of 8,000 lbs)?
It looks like the sway bar rating has the max tongue weight 10% of the max gross trailer weight, but what happens if the tongue weight is more - as in the case of the 19’? The 400-600 bars look like they would control the sway 4,500 trailer, but the max tongue weight looks like it has less margin.

[azflycaster]

The tongue weight is the important number here. Being able to distribute that weight to the front of the TV is their function and if they are under rated, they will not be able to do that correctly. Airstream's listing of tongue weights seem to always be a bit under the real weight. The addition of propane, water and your stuff will most likely take you past the limits of your current bars.

You can try them, but you may not be able to dial in the proper distribution.

[HowieE]

You want to use the lightest bars you can that will transfer weight to the front axle of the TV.

The only answer is to set up your new trailer with the old bars an see if you can load the front axle of the TV back to it's original unloaded height.

It is more of a function of the springs of the TV than anything else.

[Al and Missy]

What Howie said. The lighter bars you can use, the less shock will be transmitted to the trailer. The key is to get proper weight distribution.

Al

[tjwoods1]

Thanks. That makes sense to me