sway bars

[andrew_the_newb]

As you can tell by my username I'm new to the RV world, just picked up our trailer yesterday not knowing anything about towing a trailer this size down the road and it was a white knuckle ride to say the least. Started checking online and sounds like I need sway bars, any suggestions? The trailer is a 28' keystone springdale and I'm pulling it with our Chevy Tahoe. Please help.

[deleted-2]

You will best off with a hitch that looks something like the above...

[andrew_the_newb]

@ktmrfs, so from what I'm understanding, I need a weight distributing hitch, which should help with the swaying and after then I get the sway bars? Now, I've been looking at equalizer online, is that all one unit? I want to be safe, I don't want to spend a small fortune but if I need to spend $500 to do this right then that's what I have to do. From what my wife is telling me, the dealers she spoke to today weren't very helpful. I guess what I need is a specific parts list so I can take that to a dealer and not depend on their knowledge or lack there of. And Thank you everyone for all the info. It's very appreciated.

[ktmrfs]

andrew_the_newbe wrote:
Sorry, should have been more specific. I bought my trailer through private party. The seller mentioned sway bars as I was pulling out of the driveway but made it sound like it wasn't necessary. And my Tahoe is rated to pull 7100 lbs and the trailer weighed down is 6400. Does the Tow package on my vehicle not apply to this? Again, if I'm asking stupid questions I apologize, still brand new to this.

no such thing as a stupid question. Tow package or not, heavier trailers require a properly set up weight distributing hitch. If your trailer weighs 6400lbs you have in the range of 700-1000lbs on the tongue. The hitch on your tahoe is likely NOT rated to take that high a hitch weight without a Weight distributing hitch. And without a weight distributing hitch you remove a great deal of weight from the front end of the tow vehicle raising the front end causing camber to change on the tires and often resulting in a scary ride.

BTW, first get the system setup so there is NO sway without any sway control. You want the combo to be stable without sway control and then use sway control as a safety factor.. Don't use sway control to cover up a swaying combination.

[andrew_the_newb]

Sorry, should have been more specific. I bought my trailer through private party. The seller mentioned sway bars as I was pulling out of the driveway but made it sound like it wasn't necessary. And my Tahoe is rated to pull 7100 lbs and the trailer weighed down is 6400. Does the Tow package on my vehicle not apply to this? Again, if I'm asking stupid questions I apologize, still brand new to this.

[Terryallan]

andrew_the_newbe wrote:
Well currently I just have a ball receiver that was built into my Tahoe (tow package) and as far as weight distribution bars, I have nothing. As of right now all I have is a 2 5/16 ball on the back of my Tahoe and that's it. My wife was calling around today and a company said they carry Husky sway bars for $60, and from what I was reading online, I need something a little more sophisticated. I have been reading a lot of good things about equalizer. I just don't want to put the lives of my wife and kids in jeopardy because of a cheap part or a bad install.

Did you buy from a dealer?? He should have done you better. You don't need just sway bars. You need a complete weight distributing hitch. And that is going to run in the 450 to 500 dollar range.

Now IF you didn't buy from a RV dealer. Go find one, and have him sell, install and setup a hitch for your TT, and TV. Have them come to your house, and get the TT. You Tahoe is not capable to safely tow your TT without a WDH. Your weight carrying receiver is not rated for that kind of weight.

OR, If you have a friend that knows about WDH. Buy a hitch, and have him help you. But do not try to tow that TT with a drawbar in a your receiver. OR if it is in your bumper. At any rate. Don't move the TT with your Tahoe until you have a properly installed, and setup WDH.

[elkabong]

From what you have said...a white knuckle ride for sure!
You picked up the trailer from whom. If it was purchased from a dealer, I am amazed they did not set you up with an equalizer hitch assembly(for a price of course), and then demonstrate how to use it. Again, if this was a dealer it was irresponsible for them to let you drive off with what you had.
Check with a local dealer or RV facility in your area. They will sell you the proper equipment and show you how to set it up. It's not difficult. You will find the TT and TV respond much better when they become a unit.
All that being said, I hope the TV is appropriate for that TT, because, if not, that is a whole other story.
Best of luck and hang in there it gets better.

Ken

[andrew_the_newb]

Well currently I just have a ball receiver that was built into my Tahoe (tow package) and as far as weight distribution bars, I have nothing. As of right now all I have is a 2 5/16 ball on the back of my Tahoe and that's it. My wife was calling around today and a company said they carry Husky sway bars for $60, and from what I was reading online, I need something a little more sophisticated. I have been reading a lot of good things about equalizer. I just don't want to put the lives of my wife and kids in jeopardy because of a cheap part or a bad install.

[ggardne2]

What type of hitch do you have? Brand and what size weight distribution bars are you using? There are a couple of options around sway control ... you could add a friction style sway bar ... probably your lowest cost option but also the least amount of sway control. For better sway control you could update to a Reese dual cam system or to an Equalizer hitch. There are proponents of both hitch brands on the forum. I've used both Dual Cam and Equalizer and both are good products ... from a personal preference I prefer the Equalizer as I think it is easier to set up, easier to hitch and unhitch, and I had better luck with my Equalizer components holding up over time.