Weight distribution Hitch

I used to do the "Jump out and loosen" thing, then I got an Andersen No Sway hitch which eliminated that chore. Then I got a 2500HD which can tow over 1,000 pounds tongue weight without any special hitch. Problem solved. With an electric tongue jack, I can be on the road while others are searching for their cheater bar.

I tore the little ball that the sway bar uses to attache to the tongue clean off while making a tight turn (driving forward).

The first thing I do when pulling into an RV park is jump out and remove that thing.

You can back up with an Equalizer hitch. The spring bars will creak and make a popping noise when making a tight turn in reverse. This is NORMAL. The spring bars are moving a fair amount across the L-brackets. They work as a stabilizer via friction. The company does not suggest removing them while backing up.

Been towing with mine since 2006, never removed them yet until trailer is parked.

For what it's worth, even if using a friction bar you CAN back up with it attached just don't turn too sharp when backing. I towed my old 15 footer over 50,000 miles with a friction bar and NEVER disconnected it to reverse.
Good luck / Skip

Dakota98 wrote:

downtheroad wrote:
I think you can back up with any basic weight distribution hitch.

It's the anti-sway component that may (may) cause problems when backing up, especially in a tight angle...

Usually friction bar anti sway devices recommend removal when backing.

x-2

I always remove my ant-sway bar upon arriving at my destination in order to assist the tight turns for parking. When leaving, I stop a mile or so down the road & inspect everything along with re-attaching the sway control bar.

Bingo! and Bingo again!

You can back up with any WDH, it's the sway bar they say you should not back up with. As stated above, some folks never remove them. The warning is there however, by the manufacturer. So IF you do back up with it on and it breaks or breaks your hitch head, you CANNOT claim "foul" and expect restitution from the manufacturer.

I don't use that type of hitch and sway bar any more. But I did for over 10 years. I always removed the sway bar before backing up. I simply could not afford it if something went wrong. For the 30 seconds it took to take it off, I never had to worry about breaking something.

You can back up, but the question is, "Do you feel luck?" It's your choice. There is no right or wrong here, just your personal choice what you want to do.

I have 2 friction bars and have never removed them, and most of the time don't even loosen them, in over 15 years of towing. I am yet to break or bend one. I used to average about 10,000 miles towing per year. That is about to go way up, and I don't see the need to change the habit now.

downtheroad wrote:
I think you can back up with any basic weight distribution hitch.

It's the anti-sway component that may (may) cause problems when backing up, especially in a tight angle...

Usually friction bar anti sway devices recommend removal when backing.

x-2

I always remove my ant-sway bar upon arriving at my destination in order to assist the tight turns for parking. When leaving, I stop a mile or so down the road & inspect everything along with re-attaching the sway control bar.

downtheroad wrote:
I think you can back up with any basic weight distribution hitch.

It's the anti-sway component that may (may) cause problems when backing up, especially in a tight angle...

Usually friction bar anti sway devices recommend removal when backing.

I believe this is correct. I've used WD but never used sway control. I didn't have any trouble with backing into tight places.

With the newer F250/F350 diesel, you can have an 850 lb weight carrying hitch capacity without WD. I have a 650 lb weight carrying capacity hitch on my 5.4L F250. Don't know what GM and Ram offer. I prefer to not have to use WD and sway control if I don't have to.

I think you can back up with any basic weight distribution hitch.

It's the anti-sway component that may (may) cause problems when backing up, especially in a tight angle...

Usually friction bar anti sway devices recommend removal when backing.