What is a "sway bar" on rv.net

It should also be mentioned that "sway bar" and "weight distribution bars" are not necessarily the same thing. They can be, such as the Equalizer brand hitch, but more often are separate devices.

A weight distribution bar/hitch redistributes a portion of the trailer tongue weight to the tow vehicles front axle and the trailers axle(s) which prevents unloading of the tow vehicles steering capability and improves the overall handling, which can reduce trailer sway.

A trailer hitch sway bar limits lateral movement of the trailer to help control sway.

What is possibly more important that either is proper weight distribution on the trailer itself. Too much weight toward the rear will produce lots of sway. Too much weight toward the front- the receiver, hitch, tongue, and tow vehicle rear axle and frame are overloaded, and the front axle is unloaded which can cause dangerous understeer.

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"sway control - flat bar with it's own small ball on the receiver :S"

is one of these:

downtheroad wrote:
What is a "sway bar" on rv.net
This: (I'm a visual learner)

"sway control - flat bar with it's own small ball on the receiver" :S

Since this is the Towing forum, the above post showing sway bars for use on motorhomes and trucks does not really apply. That is the reason I said in my earlier post that "On this forum (the Towing forum), a "sway bar" refers to a friction sway control device 99 times out of 100."

If this were the Class A or Class B motorhome forum then I would say the post above this would probably be correct answer to the OP's question. So all of those who say it "depends on the context" are correct.
Barney

Depends entirely on context

Probability depends on what is being discussed in the thread you are reading as to what context "sway bar" is being used in. If a motorhome is being discussed, I believe the reference to a sway bar would be the anti-sway suspension component.
In a trailer/towing conversation, I believe it would then be referencing the friction sway-control device.

What is a "sway bar" on rv.net
This: (I'm a visual learner)

Thanks to Barney for the first sensible answer.

On this forum, a "sway bar" refers to a friction sway control device 99 times out of 100. It is not necessarily old fashioned and is still in wide use in todays RV circles. There are much more advanced sway contol devices/hitches available today however but the "friction sway bar" is still the most popular and lowest in cost.
Barney