Should I install sway control?

[Jetta03]

for my 5800lb gvwr hybrid trailer? Its 21', towed with an F-150. I use the reese pro weight distribution with 1000lb bars and it tows great, no issues or complaints at all.

I happen to have a reese friction sway bar sitting on my bench that came with the hitch, but I've never used it and haven't brought myself to drill a bunch more holes in my trailer tongue to install it. Question, should it be installed?

[jerem0621]

Jetta03 wrote:
So next question. The installation instructions call for 24" between the center of the trailer ball and the opposite end of the sway bar. Because of the way things are mounted on my trailer tongue I have only about 22" to work with. Is this a problem?

Yes it is.. your bars body will crash into the hitch head mini ball mount if you mount it at 22 inches. Here are a few pics of my badly installed friction bar mount, at 22 inches.





If its impossible to mount the bar in the correct location please look at other forms of sway control. I can't imagine how the side of the frame interferes, can you please provide a picture of the side of the a-frame?

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[scbwr]

Contact the hitch manufacturer and follow their advice and guidelines. Keep a copy of their recommendations in the event you have any problems.

[camperforlife]

I have two, one on each side. I do believe 24" is ideal and I can see no problem in going 25" or a hair more. I do not think you can shorten it down to 22" without running the risk of bending the bar or breaking the small ball off in a tight turn.

[Jetta03]

So next question. The installation instructions call for 24" between the center of the trailer ball and the opposite end of the sway bar. Because of the way things are mounted on my trailer tongue I have only about 22" to work with. Is this a problem?

[jerem0621]

Yes

[mkirsch]

Sway control is for those UNKNOWN sources of sway. Bad wind gust. Speeding tractor-trailer. Kid jumping out in front of you from between parked cars. Uneven hoop-de-doos in the road.

The fact that the trailer tows well without it is good news. Adding the sway control may seem redundant but it is cheap insurance.