Backing up with sway bar intact
I was told by the salesperson of my new TT NEVER to back up with the sway bar attached...others say that's not true. Even the documentation didn't say anything about it -- thoughts? Thanks!
Forum Discussion
redwingnc wrote:
I was told by the salesperson of my new TT NEVER to back up with the sway bar attached...others say that's not true. Even the documentation didn't say anything about it -- thoughts?
Thanks!
If this sway bar is a friction type add-on, ie; not part of the weight distribution hitch itself, removal prior to backing up, depends on both brand and how is was installed.
On some installations, there may be obstructions on trailer frame and the sway bar must be mounted in a location where a tight turn while backing up, will force the sway bar to bottom out. Thus, possible damage to sway bar, trailer frame, or hitch head.
The pictures posted above, would reflect this type of damage. Been there, done that. It ripped the plate and ball out of the trailer tongue and bent the hitch head.
Instruction manual for a Drawtite sway bar says "after install, do a test backing operation, with an observer watching for sway bar bottoming out. If it appears to be a problem on tight turns, you should remove the sway bar, prior to backing up."
