Forum Discussion

jamesu's avatar
jamesu
Explorer
May 12, 2016

Keep old sway bars?

I am seriously contemplating trading in my Trail Bay (see my signature) for a 2016 Creekside 26RLS. My old TT is 5300 lbs. dry weight and the new one is 6900 dry weight. I know my Duramax is way overpowered for both these TT's, but the old Trail Bay was bought when I was still towing with a half ton F-150. Time to upgrade.

Now that I have a 3/4 ton diesel DW and I have researched 5th wheels extensively, but still prefer TT's.

All of the above to say, I am wondering about the sway bar set-up for the new Creekside. I have not talked to the salesman yet about whether or not new sway bars are part of the deal or if I pay extra for them. If I have to pay for new sway bars I am wondering about performance of my old ones: they would be anti-swaying an extra 1600 lbs. dry weight and they are 11years old. I do not remember the brand, but they have served me very well on my Trail Bay all those miles. Qs: will they work as well on a brand new, heavier TT? I am fixed-income retired. Saving $$$ is a good thing, but reduced performance is not.

6 Replies

  • dodge_guy's avatar
    dodge_guy
    Explorer II
    May 12, 2016
    If your talking about an actual sway control device hen they are cheap to replace, which is what I would do.

    If you are talking about WD bars then as long as they can handle the loaded tongue weight you will be fine.
  • nickthehunter's avatar
    nickthehunter
    Nomad III
    May 12, 2016
    It is pretty likely you only have 600 lbs or 700 lbs bars. You really need 1,000 lbs bars. You don't need any new hitch equipment etc., just the higher rated bars.
  • Campfire_Time's avatar
    Campfire_Time
    Explorer
    May 12, 2016
    One thing you can negotiate is the getting the labor to set up your existing WD hitch for free. Ask for this AFTER you negotiate the price of the trailer out the door, and before you sign any papers. On two trailers I have not paid for the labor to install and set up my WDH.
  • K_Charles's avatar
    K_Charles
    Explorer
    May 12, 2016
    If you mean weight distribution bars they should be fine if set up right. Any good tech settings up the WD hitch will know what size they are.
  • DutchmenSport's avatar
    DutchmenSport
    Explorer
    May 12, 2016
    As long as the old equipment is still in good working order (not bent or anything), I see no reason why you could not continue to use your old WD set up.

    If you knew the rating of the bars, that would help determine if you new trailer will need the higher rating or not. I did a very quick guess on the Equal-i-zer web site and punched in your numbers. They recommend the 10,000 pound bars for your trailer.

    If your current bars are rated at 10,000, I see no reason to change them.

    By the way.... the dealer will not "give" you in the deal a new weight distribution system. He may put it in the deal, but you'll be paying for it, either cash up front or in your loan. They don't give them away.

    Good luck.
  • fla-gypsy's avatar
    fla-gypsy
    Explorer
    May 12, 2016
    Are we talking about sway bars or a weight distribution hitch? It sounds like you really mean the latter in which case we would need a little more info. Make, rating etc.

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