Weight Distribution vs Sway Bars
I am told that some people have both a weight distribution hitch and a sway bar for their travel trailer; while others have told me that you only need one or the other. I just purchased a new trailer...
Forum Discussion
Larryzv7 wrote:
What is your opinion on weight distribution hitches verses sway bars?
The two of them perform two completely different functions.
The sway bars help to control trailer sway.
When you hang the tongue weight on your rear end, it's like putting weight on only one end of a see-saw. All of that weight adds to your rear axle and takes weight off from your front axle. If there is too much weight taken off the steering axle, even subconscious movement from something simple as breathing, can induce trailer sway and steering control issues. The primary purpose of weight distribution (WD) is to restore lost weight on your steering axle. It uses leveraging to restore some (in some cases all) of that lost weight on the steering axle. It's second function is meeting the weight ratings on you hitch receiver. The receiver has one rating with (higher) and one rating without (lower) weight distribution. And, it's third function is leveling of the trailer / tow vehicle combo. The sway bars don't perform any of these functions.
With a 9000 lb trailer, you need a weight distributing hitch that is rated for the gross weight of the trailer. If you get one with built in sway control, that's even better.
There are some who would tell you, if the truck and trailer are a good match, the WD is properly setup, and the trailer is loaded properly, you don't need sway control. I personally think sway control is a good idea whether it's built into the hitch, or added bars.
