Old Reese hitch

[Lexxy]

We were able to use this old Reese hitch to get our unit home....just bought 73 safari....but we don't quite grasp what this bar pictured is for. The seller never used the unit and wasn't any help. Do we need to use this item and is it supposed to be tightened or flow loose and lubricated? There is a screw handle.

I looked up as much as I could on the net but not knowing what it's called makes it hard.

It's the long flat thing with the label on it.
Any advice?

[SteveH]

Without a picture, it's hard to say, but I think you are describing a friction sway control, and if so, it needs to be used, unlubricated, and tightened about as tight as you can get it with your hand.

A picture would be good.

[RLS]

That is a friction sway control. Here is a link to several of them.
etrailer.com - Products sway control

[n2916s]

Friction sway control, as noted above. Very simple device. You tighten it with the handle about as tight as you can get with one hand. You generally will need to go through the loosen/tighten series every time you unhook the trailer as even a minor change of angle will prevent fitting the end of the device down on the ball. It is old technology but it works. No lubrication, ever ! But a touch of grease on the two mounting balls is not a bad idea.

On another note, it looks like your safety chains are a mite short -- do they come tight on a hard turn? Mine droop down within 3 inches of the ground...

Mike

[Lexxy]

Thanks for the ideas. Do we have new chains welded on? Who would do that? A metal shop? It seemed to feel ok for just the drive home. We are getting new tires and our tire guy will give up pointers about what we can do to this arrangement.
Steve....I had to edit to get the pix attached. I will catch on.
So this bar won't stand in the way of turning angle between the truck and unit? I also read about adding air to back truck tires. Do most folks do that.

[Sbb]

I had work done on my AS this week. The dealer gentleman hitched me up. I was not paying attention, he put my sway bar on so tight I could not turn the trailer without this horrible grinding resistance. That noise and feeling was new to me, I even stopped twice on the way home because I could not figure out what was wrong. It was when I stopped to remove the bar before backing down my driveway did I realize what had happen. Point of story, do not tighten friction sway bar too tight ever and remove when backing up. Thank goodness I had very few tight turns going home.

[cwf]

Howdy!

Do NOT lube the long flat bar. It is a friction device to "dampen" sway of the trailer. You tighten the same amount when you hitch up. If you go to EAZ-LIFT website you will see one. You can download the owners instructions too.
Same for the hitch and WD bars...find instructions.

Longer chains... Welding can compromise the link strength.

It is better to use a clevis connector. Go here
http://www.mcmaster.com/

Search "chain fitting". Look for lifting shackle or clevis. They look like the letter U with a pin in the open end to close it. You can then secure pin with a bit of good wire so it doesn't fall out.

[Lexxy]

I'm thinking this thing is for highways and not between here and the tire store. We will save it for that. We will get the proper chain and connectors today....thanks

[featherbedder]

By the pics. look the stinger that plugs into tow veh. is dangerously low to ground, it is simple job to unbolt head turn stinger over then rebolt head at proper hgt. They were made to do this. Bill

[Skater]

Interesting fact: The bar you spin to tighten the friction sway is really an "on-off" control. The actual adjustment of the sway control amount is handled by a separate bolt. To tighten it up, you actually are supposed to tighten the bolt, NOT simply rotate the handle more. Tightening or loosening the bolt probably will change the handle rotation, too, though.

Also, I back up with ours installed all the time. The only times I've removed it is when we're backing at a severe angle, but even then I've never noticed a difference; it's more to ensure I don't accidentally separate the two halves of the sway control.

[Lexxy]

We thought that thing was too low and we need to adjust it. Thanks