Backing with a sway bar
I have heard that you shouldn't back up with a sway bar attached. What exactly is the issue? I can imaging that if you jacknife the trailer it would try to shorten the bar below it's minimum length. Is that the only issue?
Forum Discussion
- " it can result in bending it or breaking the ball it pivots on" only if you jackknife the trailer which you can do when backing up but can't when pulling. I never removed mine as I can back up without jackknifing the trailer.
2edgesword wrote:
I've been doing it for years on two different trailers using two different types of hitches (Reese and Equalizer) and never had any issues.
the OP is talking about a add-on friction antisway bar, which the Equal-i-zer doesn't have.
old tech add-on friction antisway bars should be removed when backing since it can result in bending it or breaking the ball it pivots on.- I've never read to remove bars while backing an Equal-i-zer brand (and never had an issue with mine, a selling point IMO), but yep, I've seen a few bent friction type sway units over the years.
- The instructions do say to remove it while backing. They also say to loosen it in rainy or slick conditions. May prevent the TV from turning correctly
- No issues with my Equal-i-zer either. Maybe just lucky.
- I've been doing it for years on two different trailers using two different types of hitches (Reese and Equalizer) and never had any issues.
- It's just the risk of bending it. I never took mine off. I just pulled forward and repositioned if the angle was getting too close to a 90.
- I bent one backing into my driveway. The insert was bent so badly I could not repair (unbend) it. Luckily I had a spare.0
- It may also extend it to far. I just installed one at home and Im going to check mine out soon.
