Stabilize bars

[Tiffin]

My 2018 flyingcloud , my question is when backing in a campsite , should I remove the swaebar bar from my hitch making easy to back in. I was told it is easy with them off. To anybody that wants to answer.

[xrvr]

Depends on the hitch. Ive never taken mine off.

[GeocamperAS]

What brand of weight distribution and sway control do you have?

[Adventure.AS]

I remove the two Husky anti-sway units from my Eaz-Lift hitch, but leave the WD bars engaged to avoid bottoming out the jack foot if there is a dip in the ground to be negotiated. I usually do this when checking in at the campground to eliminate them ‘groaning’ during low speed turns.

[PKI]

As stated above. Also depends on the angle and the transition grade. Straight, not much issue. Tight turn can be a problem. More so for clones than the primary brands, but in any case, get out and look at how much clearance you have. A severe bump or ditch can be a significant problem on a stiff hitch. The friction sway struts can be problematic as well.

Read your manual. Read the threads on your hitch. Experiment carefully a bit. You will figure it out. Note, if it's a problem to back up it's likely a problem in a driveway or tight turn too. Try before it's an issue on the road. Pat

[gypsydad]

I have always left my Blue Ox sway bars on while parking, but few times the tension was pretty tight. Could have removed while level, and likely had easier time of it. I have also left them "off" when hooking up, in tight situations, a few times and installed when I got to level ground. Only takes a few minuets to install when you are also using a 6x6 block and adjustment on your jack foot, if needed.

[wulfraat]

Equalizer hitch you can leave them on no problem.

[rmkrum]

ProPride or Hensley has no anti-sway bits and pieces to remove--just back up normally, and they work just fine...

Have had to slack off on weight distribution in the occasional tough spot..

[Mollysdad]

I have an Equal-I-zer and I haven't taken mine off but I've heard about it. I think the only gain is to reduce the creaking noise that sounds like your frame is cracking. That's normal at parking lot speed.
The downside is now the tow vehicle is now sagging at the rear, your headlights are in the trees, your mirrors are looking at the ground, and you could drag the shank much easier.

[wbrisett]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

The downside is now the tow vehicle is now sagging at the rear, your headlights are in the trees, your mirrors are looking at the ground, and you could drag the shank much easier.

I think this depends on what tow vehicle you have, what model Airstream you have more than anything else. I, like you, have the Equalizer stabilizer, but with a ¾ ton pickup, I don't have that problem even with the 27FB when I take the bars off and tow. In fact, I debated heavily about even installing the stabilizer kit, but figured it didn't hurt.

-Wayne

[tvketchum]

Most friction sway control bars should be removed when backing. That fact convinced me to go with a system which did not use friction, and we settled on a Hensley system. No regrets since.

[Johnnyooo]

If it's a friction anti sway control, tight turning while backing up puts stress on the sway bar. I remove mine when backing into campsites....

[xrvr]

I used friction antisway bars for years and never had any problems backing up. I used one and sometimes two, never a problem. Distance from ball to frame mount must set up accirding to instructions. Too short will not work.

[Cyclist]

Originally Posted by Adventure.AS

I remove the two Husky anti-sway units from my Eaz-Lift hitch, but leave the WD bars engaged to avoid bottoming out the jack foot if there is a dip in the ground to be negotiated. I usually do this when checking in at the campground to eliminate them ‘groaning’ during low speed turns.

We have the same set up and do likewise although we sometimes just loosen the anti-sway bars.

[Overstreet]

If you remove your sway bars to back into a camp site, would you also remove the sway bars to back out of that jam at the gas station, at the dead end road, at the rest stop parking lot, etc. ??

[rmkrum]

Friction anti-sway bars can be released by simply unscrewing the friction control handle. Then the sway bars do nothing, and slide freely. He just has to remember to tighten them back up.

Dittos on tvketchum’s comment above...I don’t have to fuss with antisway bars either. WD bars will be remote controlled from the TV cab eventually as well.

[Overstreet]

My friend Jack always says, " Keep out of the bars, unless you call me first."

I can't help think though that he wasn't talking about trailer towing.

[marcusmark]

Originally Posted by tvketchum

Most friction sway control bars should be removed when backing. That fact convinced me to go with a system which did not use friction, and we settled on a Hensley system. No regrets since.

My BlueOx system does not need to be removed or changed in any way when backing. Love it.

[rmkrum]

Originally Posted by tvketchum

Most friction sway control bars should be removed when backing. That fact convinced me to go with a system which did not use friction, and we settled on a Hensley system. No regrets since.

Ditto. I have a ProPride, also a Jim Hensley design.

It works the same no matter if I’m backing or going forward. I’ve also found that the extra foot of clearance or so from the hitch receiver to the trailer ball lets me turn at really large angles off straight. I also feel that the fact that I get sway control even in turns makes it work much better. The Airstream follows the truck perfectly like a well-trained doggie.

The only thing you have to watch for is the fact that the Airstream swings pretty far to the inside of the turn like a fifth wheel rig. I need to turn a bit wide to avoid curb hits.

[ROBERT CROSS]

FYI....tiffin left two years ago @ post #1.
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Bob
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