Sway Bars

[fwed]

I’ve had sway bars on a 28’, 6,000# camper, but we’re downsizing to a 3,000# A-frame. Should I have them on this as well? Salesman recommends them, but he’s in the selling business. Opinions?

[fwed]

Okay, I'm back. Sorry for the lapse. It's been a horrid week.

I've got a Nissan Titan rated to tow 9500 pounds and the new camper is only about 3000 pounds. I'm thinking sway bars. I just don't want some 18-wheeler or Greyhound bus blowing this little guy sideways while I'm trying to pull it in a straight line. The salemen make their living by convincing me I need something I don't know alot about. I trust you guys more than them. Maybe a discussion of the difference between sway bars and weight distribution systems.

Thanks. I appreciate the help.

[Grit_dog]

I’m gonna say no, but fwed seems to have left the discussion without actually saying whether he’s pulling the new camper with a Kia or a dually, or something in between….
So I’ll go with D. Not enough info to answer. Lol

[Boomerweps]

wing_zealot wrote:
First of all, you said "sway" bar. Are you really talking about a "weight distribution hitch (WDH)" or a "sway" bar - lots of people regularily say "sway" bar but mean WDH. Totally different tools for totally different functions.

Indeed. The bars associated with a weight distributing Hitch are actually called spring bars. Older design WDHs often used add on anti sway bars that used a friction adjustment to control sway.

[wing_zealot]

First of all, you said "sway" bar. Are you really talking about a "weight distribution hitch (WDH)" or a "sway" bar - lots of people regularily say "sway" bar but mean WDH. Totally different tools for totally different functions.

[eHoefler]

Depends on your tow vehicle. You need to look at the tow capacity and requirements to get the capacity. Also, look at the sticker on the receiver, it will also state whether or not an equalizing hitch is required for the receiver.
Unless you are running a 3/4 ton or bigger, usually you will need the equalizer