I have a 2020 Subaru Ascent and am pulling 2800+ lb dry wt Gulfstream Vintage Cruiser. According to Owner's Manual and forums, WDH is not recommended with the unibody design of vehicles such as mine. My question is about using a sway-bar. No reference in the owner's manual and little information on forums. Opinions and/or recommendations in this forum?

I can't see any reason why a sway bar would be bad. I think you have to keep in mind that rain (wet) will reduce the amount of friction supplied by the bar. And I hear that they have to be loosened before backing up sharply or the bar can get bent. Of course, the best protection against sway is to make sure you have at least 10% (but no more than 15% generally) of total trailer weight on the tongue; in your case you probably want 350 to 450 lbs actual hitch weight when loaded for camping. (If the fresh water tank is under the front bed, be careful! Water is 8.3 lbs/gallon.)How long is the trailer? I'm guessing 20'?

I second the tongue weight comment as a major factor in preventing sway.

If the trailer is loaded properly you should not need a sway bar.If it was me I would try it first before I invested in a sway bar.

I like sway bars. It’s true that if you’re loaded properly you shouldn’t need it. I’ve found they can be really nice in unexpected gusts of wind coming broad side.

rexlion wrote:I can't see any reason why a sway bar would be bad. I think you have to keep in mind that rain (wet) will reduce the amount of friction supplied by the bar. And I hear that they have to be loosened before backing up sharply or the bar can get bent. Of course, the best protection against sway is to make sure you have at least 10% (but no more than 15% generally) of total trailer weight on the tongue; in your case you probably want 350 to 450 lbs actual hitch weight when loaded for camping. (If the fresh water tank is under the front bed, be careful! Water is 8.3 lbs/gallon.)How long is the trailer? I'm guessing 20'?yes, it is 20'. what do you mean watch out? fresh water tank is under the bed, which is at front of trailer. what i am reading is cargo weight should be forward, if at back will cause more sway.

towing with Subaru Ascent | Good Sam Community

Flute_Man
Explorer
Jun 26, 2020
If the trailer is loaded properly you should not need a sway bar.
If it was me I would try it first before I invested in a sway bar.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Jun 26, 2020
I second the tongue weight comment as a major factor in preventing sway.
rexlion
Explorer
Jun 26, 2020
I can't see any reason why a sway bar would be bad. I think you have to keep in mind that rain (wet) will reduce the amount of friction supplied by the bar. And I hear that they have to be loosened before backing up sharply or the bar can get bent. Of course, the best protection against sway is to make sure you have at least 10% (but no more than 15% generally) of total trailer weight on the tongue; in your case you probably want 350 to 450 lbs actual hitch weight when loaded for camping. (If the fresh water tank is under the front bed, be careful! Water is 8.3 lbs/gallon.)

How long is the trailer? I'm guessing 20'?

Forum Discussion

towing with Subaru Ascent

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

Subaru Ascent, VW Atlas, or Rav4 Adventure for light towing?

Towing With A Subaru 2.5l

Subaru Outback experiences

tow dolly vs. Tow bar

Creative Towing