Forum Discussion

komodo's avatar
komodo
Explorer
Aug 25, 2016

Do I add sway bars to my F-150?

I’m purchasing a 2016 Ford F-150 this week. It comes with integrated sway control. On my jeep I had the sway bars added to my hitch system. Does this mean that when I use my F-150, I don’t add the sway bars anymore?

This is what the brochure says,

“Trailer Sway Control – works in conjunction with the AdvanceTrac® with RSC® (Roll Stability Control™) system to expand the vehicles dynamic stability control capabilities, adding an additional layer of confidence and control while towing a trailer”

I’m pulling a four thousand pound camper. Rockwood HW277
  • Your hitch should have a sway control hookup that will go from your trailer to your hitch. It's always recommended to use these. Heard too many stories of trailers "tipping" in high wind conditions when driving on the freeway. I can tell the difference when ours is not hooked up...just takes a minute.
    RV canopies
  • Thank you for your suggestions, as a result I decided to keep using my sway bar with my new truck.
  • If you have it already it can't hurt anything. Not really needed for a PUP camper IMO.
  • If your "sway bars" are like this, then go ahead and set them up for the new truck.. This is a "Weight Distribution" setup which puts weight back on the front axle and makes the whole rig tow much better..



    If your "sway bar" is a thing that you attach to the little ball on the hitch and to the trailer and then crank down on the handle, you probably don't need it, but it won't hurt anything either..

    Both systems help with towing, but once a trailer starts to really "sway", that's when the new F150's "sway control" will kick in and try to stop it. It does not prevent it.. That's what the bolt on and WD setups try to do.

    My TT is #5000 soaking wet, but I use the WD setup in the pic because I have over #650 tongue weight and that does sag the rear end a tad.. Put the bars on and it's back to normal height and weight is put back to the front, so it tows just fine.

    good luck!

    Mitch
  • IdaD wrote:
    I don't know that you need it for a pop up. When I towed ours I just dropped it on the ball and drove, and it worked fine.
    Sometimes that works, sometimes it doesn't. I have seen people with small rented "U Haul" utility trailers going down the highway like a dog wagging it's tail.
  • I don't know that you need it for a pop up. When I towed ours I just dropped it on the ball and drove, and it worked fine.
  • If you already have the hitch and the sway bars, why not go ahead and use them. Sway Bar helps prevent sway from starting. Integrated sway helps stop it once it starts. Every item you can add to keep your rig stable, go for it! Especially if you already have it.
  • No - you still need sway bars. All the built in thing does is slow you down if the trailer starts swaying. You want to prevent that from happening.