Looking to see if a sway bar exists for 5th wheels.

[rsg63]

I did due diligence and searched this topic but found nothing.

Does anyone know of a sway bar (think Hellwig) kit for 5th wheel rv's? I'd like to add one if they exist. I've already upgraded the rims and tires, and all four shocks to KYB units. My new rig is tall and narrow and I believe a sway kit could be the answer. Can I get some chimes on this? Impossible? Insane? Slow down around curves? Are you rich? I'll settle even for that stuff. hahahaha

[Slowmover]

Second Chance wrote:
Many modern 5th wheels are MUCH heavier on one side than the other - typically the side with the kitchen/pantry/entertainment center (and maybe even bedroom) slides. That's the case with our's - right at 1,000# heavier on the street side than the curb side (Escapees' wheel-by-wheel weights). With the stock suspension, the trailer sat 1 - 1-1/2" lower on the street side than the curb side. Some on the Grand Design forum have put heavier springs on the street side. Since we had other issues (bent axle/spindle), we opted for the MOR/ryde independent suspension. The MOR/ryde folks adjusted the spring height side-to-side to level everything out. This is also not an inexpensive solution - but what a difference in the way the rig tows!

Rob

Stability is best improved here.

[rsg63]

Spring rate was not something I thought of, thank you both for that. And in my toy hauler I had a jetski trailer with two jetskis and a Delta tool box on it. And I can see how the CG could be so different in this rig. Hmmm, may have to look into a local spring shop and see what my options are. Don't want overly stiff either.
Thanks again for the thoughtful responses.

[Bird_Freak]

mkirsch wrote:
The width isn't the problem, it's the center of gravity. Did you haul a heavy toy around in the old toy hauler? A big weight situated low down in the trailer will cause it to be more stable due to the lower center of gravity.

Your new trailer probably has a lot of overhead cabinets and storage.

You don't need a sway bar, you need stiffer springs.

I agree, springs are not strong enough.

[mkirsch]

The width isn't the problem, it's the center of gravity. Did you haul a heavy toy around in the old toy hauler? A big weight situated low down in the trailer will cause it to be more stable due to the lower center of gravity.

Your new trailer probably has a lot of overhead cabinets and storage.

You don't need a sway bar, you need stiffer springs.

[rsg63]

Old-Biscuit wrote:

I still don't understand WHAT OP is experiencing or thinking he is experiencing

I'm not thinking I'm experiencing it. The trailer tilts...leans...(the top of the trailer goes further left than the bottom of the trailer on a right-hand turns and visa-versa), around simple corners, not necessarily 60 MPH, just city turns are enough to see it. It's a lumbering beast and feels very unstable in comparison to my previous Toy Hauler that was 102" wide. I do not think the 6" difference should make that kind of a change but it's all I can think of so far.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Has 5vr suspension been modified.....raised?

Go to weld shop
Have 2" square tube welded to spring hangers side to side stiffing/adding support at spring shackles

I guess my response above was written in invisible ink 🙂

[bucky]

Let's not forget that most state DOTs (NCDOT, VDOT, SHA etc) slope roads for drainage, not common sense to aid in going around a curve. Leave off the low side curbing and the problem with ponding is cured.

[rhagfo]

rsg63 wrote:
I did due diligence and searched this topic but found nothing.

Does anyone know of a sway bar (think Hellwig) kit for 5th wheel rv's? I'd like to add one if they exist. I've already upgraded the rims and tires, and all four shocks to KYB units. My new rig is tall and narrow and I believe a sway kit could be the answer. Can I get some chimes on this? Impossible? Insane? Slow down around curves? Are you rich? I'll settle even for that stuff. hahahaha

Tall and narrow?

I would assume 8' wide, and max height is 13'- 6" max legal height.
Just wondering what type of roads and how fast, I tow at the speed limit +/-, and on some pretty curvy roads and typically at recommended speeds for curves, and never noticed the 5er leaning.

[time2roll]

I swear I had seen one posted with a pic but my search is empty.
About anything should work on a straight axle. Trick is to get it wide enough to attach to the frame rails.

[Old-Biscuit]

BFL13 wrote:
Would having a sideways tilting hitch head allow for the trailer to tilt more on turns than a regular hitch head?

NO

My 5th wheel hitch is a 4-way articulating head

My 5vr does not LEAN , SWAY or CHUCK


I still don't understand WHAT OP is experiencing or thinking he is experiencing

[BFL13]

Would having a sideways tilting hitch head allow for the trailer to tilt more on turns than a regular hitch head?

[rsg63]

Thanks Biscuit, No modifications to trailer suspension other than replacing factory lousy shocks. I see where you're going with that and it would be a low cost improvement overall even if not directly corresponding to the lean.

[Old-Biscuit]

Has 5vr suspension been modified.....raised?

Go to weld shop
Have 2" square tube welded to spring hangers side to side stiffing/adding support at spring shackles

[rsg63]

Thank you for that, MOR/ryde is something I had not considered, I will check into that. I also would like to check the side-to side weights. I only did axle-by-axle. And since we have a residential refer along with a very large slide all on one side, it could be a major factor.