Sway bars on/off

[AIRSTERLING]

What is the easiest / quickest way to engage / disengage sway bars on Airstream hitch?

[idroba]

There is no such thing as an "Airstream hitch". There are many different hitch manufactures and each one has a different hook up process so you need to specify which hitch you have for the best help and advice.

By Sway Bars, I also assume you mean the Weight distribution Bars that are on the hitch.

I am not trying to be fussy with my language here, but we need more information on what you have to work with.

[dwightdi]

Lazy people jack up the trailer using the electric tongue jack, with the hitch attached so there is less stress on the bars. I just use the levers that come with the hitch. It is faster.

[AWCHIEF]

LOL: Maybe they are not "Lazy people". Maybe they have just found a process that works for them.

[richinny]

....... or don't have the muscles or want a less dangerous method. no everyone is "strong like bull" lol

[urnmor]

If you choose the strongman's way be very very careful. Those bars are under considerable pressure and if you are standing to close to them you can get serioulsy hurt if they spring down to quickly and hit you. Now on the other hand, if you use the lazyman's approach and take the load off of the bars you could unhook using the bar or by hand. After seeing someone get seriously hurt I now choose the lazyman;s wat. Yes it takes longer, about ten seconds per side but I rather err on the side of safety.

[Ag&Au]

This is a very confusing thread. I believe it is confusing because the originator has not yet specified what hitch he is referring to. Some of the replies sound like they are directed to an Equal-I-Zer hitch, but I'm not sure. Am I the only one confused?

Is there now something known as an Airstream Hitch?
Did he say something that identifies the hitch and I'm not smart enough to catch it?

Ken

[m.hony]

Is the op talking about the friction sway control that hooks onto 2 little balls, one beside the trailer ball and one on the a-frame?

[AWCHIEF]

Originally Posted by m.hony

Is the op talking about the friction sway control that hooks onto 2 little balls, one beside the trailer ball and one on the a-frame?

No way to tell until the OP comes back and clarifies what hitch system he is using.

[Ag&Au]

Originally Posted by AWCHIEF

No way to tell until the OP comes back and clarifies what hitch system he is using.

Actually he is a new member and this is his second post. I do not believe he has an Airstream yet. My wild guess is that he is thinking that there is a standard hitch arrangement on an Airstream trailer. Hopefully he will come back and we will find out.

Ken

[Landrum]

He's probably afraid to respond after reading these posts........ Just kidding

[Ag&Au]

Originally Posted by CaptainNecro

He's probably afraid to respond after reading these posts........ Just kidding

Actually it is great training. I have found that a thick skin is a great attribute to have here.

(not saying I have one, just that is a good thing to have)

Ken

[AIRSTERLING]

Originally Posted by idroba

There is no such thing as an "Airstream hitch". There are many different hitch manufactures and each one has a different hook up process so you need to specify which hitch you have for the best help and advice.

By Sway Bars, I also assume you mean the Weight distribution Bars that are on the hitch.

I am not trying to be fussy with my language here, but we need more information on what you have to work with.

Yes, I know there's no such thing as an Airstream hitch. My point was the sway bars not the hitch. When camping with a relative with a new Airstream the sway bars were very stiff & hard to engage / disengage. I was looking for tips from seasoned Airstreamers to pass along to my relatives.

[Steve & Mary]

I've always used the "lazy people" method. Works great for me. Just relieves some of the tension on the bars and makes using the provided handle a bit easier. But as always... caution on the side of safety and assume there is always enough tension to cause injury should the handle/bar get away from you......steve

[m.hony]

I think you mean weight bars. Latch the coupler onto the ball. Lift truck 'n' trailer with tongue jack. They go on real easy then. I usually insert the bar at the hitch head and let it dangle, then jack the truck 'n' trailer till the weight bar just slides into the tongue saddle easily. Then I put in the pins and let her down. There ya go. Easy as pie.

[airdreamers]

Less tension, saves the knee caps, OUCH!

[MrUKToad]

For the OP - Friction sway control bars:



The bit with the white "Draw-tite" sticker on it.

Loosen off the tension using the handle, the direction is indicated on the sticker, remove the clips from each end and simply pull from the two mounting balls. To refit, place the bar ends on the two balls, fit the clips and then tension using the handle. If the sway bar is hard to remove I can only think that you're not releasing the tension first.

[dkottum]

On our Equal-I-Zer brand hitch I raised the jack to relieve the tension. On our ProPride you just turn the screw jacks to loosen and they stay in place.

Depends on the brand but none are a big problem.

doug k

[Ag&Au]

Originally Posted by AIRSTERLING

Yes, I know there's no such thing as an Airstream hitch. My point was the sway bars not the hitch. When camping with a relative with a new Airstream the sway bars were very stiff & hard to engage / disengage. I was looking for tips from seasoned Airstreamers to pass along to my relatives.

You still have to provide to the name of the hitch and/or anti sway system. They are all different. No hitch (or anti-sway system ) is provided by Airstream. The hitch is provided and chosen by the owner with in some cases recommendations from the dealer. So until you provide the manufacturer and perhaps also the model, it is not possible to provide the proper answer to your questions. The anti sway bars can be part of the hitch or separate. Some hitches have no anti sway systems. Some anti sway systems are stand alone, not part of the hitch system. If you cannot provide the name, a picture will help us identify it.

I am not trying to be confrontational. I am simply telling you what information is required to intelligently answer your questions.

Ken

[AWCHIEF]

And one system uses chains instead of bars with a totally different method of effective weight distribution and anti-sway control.