Hellwig Rear Swaybar - E450

I installed a Helwig bar on the rear of my '94 E350 based 21' Tioga and am quite pleased with it.

Yes it helps quite a bit with push from passing trucks. It doesn't stop the effect 100% but I'd say above 80%. It's an easy install and would do it again.

I haven't done the front. If you do please tell us how you like it.

On my former 31 foot class C on a F450 Chassis I had an alignment, replaced OEM shocks with HD Bilsteins and installed a rear trac bar from Hendersons. I did only one thing at a time in that order so I would know which thing made the most improvement. The rear trac bar definitely made the most improvement; like night to day. Side winds were much easier to handle and so were oncoming large semis.

If I had installed the trac bar before replacing the shocks, not sure I would have changed the OEM shocks. The alignment was definitely needed. I cannot believe the motorhome manufacturers do not check the alignment after doing so many changes to the chassis. Wish you the best.

Ray

On 2002 E450, I still have Original Rear Shocks at 40,000. Probably shouldn't but it's a project I just haven't gotten to.

I installed Hellwig Sway Bars Front and Rear. Huge difference in stability, tracking, cornering. Our coach is actually 32-ft (called 31A) and there's at least 10-feet from rear axle to trailer hitch. I got a BlueOx Track Bar and installing it helped a lot with the toad.

The Hellwig 7008 Front Bar, 1-3/8", WILL FIT your late model axle. From 1992-2007 (Chassis Years) Ford used a Front Bar that didn't have End Links. Instead, it poked into bushings in the axles themselves. In 2008, they added mounting bosses to the axles to allow use of traditional end links. In proof, I offer a photo. I replaced the axle of our 2002 chassis with one taken off of a 2012 chassis being retrofitted to 4WD. The machined surface with rust is where the late model (2008 and newer) Sway Bar End Links would attach. Next to it is the hole that would have the rubber bushing for a 1992-2007 Sway Bar. Ford added the bosses but didn't fill the hole. Then further to the right is the end link clamp used on the Hellwig 7008 bar that I previously had on the 2002 axle.


Several of us have ordered Hellwig bars from SD Truck Springs. I found them very satisfactory.

Your linked website shows the 7718 as the front sway bar I should use. Hellwig's own page doesn't list a sway bar at all. Hrm.

Thanks so much for the pic and everything - I have to get under my rig and take a good look at it. Maybe I'll email Hellwig to be sure as well.

Raymon wrote:
On my former 31 foot class C on a F450 Chassis I had an alignment, replaced OEM shocks with HD Bilsteins and installed a rear trac bar from Hendersons. I did only one thing at a time in that order so I would know which thing made the most improvement. The rear trac bar definitely made the most improvement; like night to day. Side winds were much easier to handle and so were oncoming large semis.

If I had installed the trac bar before replacing the shocks, not sure I would have changed the OEM shocks. The alignment was definitely needed. I cannot believe the motorhome manufacturers do not check the alignment after doing so many changes to the chassis. Wish you the best.

Ray

Glad to hear I'm on the right track !

On Hellwig's Site the part number for the Front Bar changes according to the number of Leaves in the REAR Spring Stack. The page shows email addresses called customerservice and techsupport, both @hellwigproducts.com or 1-800-HELLWIG (435-5944). Suggest you count the rear spring leaves and include that number in your question. Our E450 has the 11-leaf pack.
I think Hellwig will indicate they didn't update the year models in some cases, but check that too.
SD doesn't stock those bars. Mine, at least, came from the factory in Visalia CA. If you and Hellwig work something out, I'd guess SD could still take your order. Pretty sure Hellwig doesn't sell direct.

I installed hellwig rear stabilizer bar easy to install works great.Makes driving easier on interstate.I have a 08 ford E450 30 ft.Also have a roadmaster steering stabilizer it also helps.

If I didn't state it strongly enough: Sway Bars Rule! On the Straight, In Curves, On the Campsite. Only mod I know of that helps Underway OR Anchored!

I looked in my file and see where I bought 7008 Front and 7180 Rear in FEB10. My papers don't have Price, but I think $400 or a pinch over for both. Paperwork says "Winter Sale 10% off Free Shipping" and the bars were shipped to me direct from Hellwig.

The Specs, Diameter and Material, are same for Hellwig and Roadmaster. From instruction sheets, I like the looks of Hellwig's rear bar mounts better than RM's. The RM front bar for the '92-'07 models had prettier mounting hardware than Hellwig, but my Hellwig hasn't as much as stumbled. The difference is PRICE. Discounters like SD can set you up with both bars for about the price of one Roadmaster bar.

Looks like I'm definitely going to be doing the rear sway. Still futzing w/ whether to do the front. All this is very helpful guys - much appreciated.

Jopopsy wrote:
Looks like I'm definitely going to be doing the rear sway. Still futzing w/ whether to do the front. All this is very helpful guys - much appreciated.

Just remember; there is a difference between sway bars and rear trac bars. Sway bars are usually installed front and back and are standard on most chassis. Trac bars are installed in the rear. A trac bar connects the frame to the axle. Trac bars are normally an after-market installation. Some people replace OEM sway bars with larger diameter bars which is purported to reduce sway. A trac bar helps the MH to travel a straight line down the road. Hope this helps.

Ray