Do I need sway bar

[forthefunofit94]

I just got a new F150 w/ tow package, built in sway and trailer brake. I have an Equalizer hitch that has the sway bars. Will I still need the bars, or will the built in be enough? My TT is 5,044 lbs. The truck is rated at 9,200.

[APT]

Your tow rating of 9200 pounds requires a WDH. The receiver and possibly vehicle owners manual say a WDH is required over 500 or 600 pounds of TW. I'll assume your 5044 pound trailer weight is brochure/web site dry weight, so you'll be closer to 6000 pounds loaded with 8000 pounds of TW.

The electronic sway built into the vehicle is reactionary after sway has happened and best to never activate. The mechanical sway control of most WDHs help prevent the sway from starting.

[mileshuff]

The Equalizer bars serve two purposes. They do help with sway thru friction at the L brackets as well as at the hitch head. They also help distribute weight and reduce sag on the TV.

How does built in sway on new TV's work? How does it detect sway?

[forthefunofit94]

Yes, I do have the brand name. And yes, after these reply's, I am going to continue using it.

[mkirsch]

Look at it this way: You already have it. It is set up and you know how to use it. It will cost you nothing to use it, and there is nothing to lose by using it. There is no downside to using it.

BTW you have to be careful with terminology. "Equal-i-zer" is a brand of hitch with built in sway control, sometimes mistyped/shorthanded as "Equalizer." Some people mistakenly call any weight-distributing (shorthand as WD) hitch an "equalizer, which causes confusion.

So do you really have an "Equal-I-Zer" brand hitch, or another weight-distributing hitch?

[forthefunofit94]

ChooChooMan74, you are correct. I miss spoke. I guessing I am better to continue to use these. They are not a problem, I was just wondering if it was over kill. Thanks for you input.

[ChooChooMan74]

I think you're getting terminology messed up. The spring bars on a WDH are not sway bars. They help to redistribute the load better. Most vehicles say you need a WDH over a certain tongue weight. Even if your actual tongue weight was close, I would still go with one, as it will help alleviate porpoising.

Some WDH has built in sway control, like the Equal-i-zer with 4 point sway control and Reese Dual Cam. Those help keep your trailer straight from crosswinds and passing trucks and busses.

[bikendan]

If you have an Equal-i-zer WDH, it already has integrated sway control.

[Tankcar]

Hi. About the first or second time your trailer moves you from one lane to another after a bus or Semi passes you. Or side wind from 10 to 20 MPH. You will have the answer to your question.

[Grit_dog]

forthefunofit94 wrote:
I just got a new F150 w/ tow package, built in sway and trailer brake. I have an Equalizer hitch that has the sway bars. Will I still need the bars, or will the built in be enough? My TT is 5,044 lbs. The truck is rated at 9,200.

IMO sway control on the truck or hitch is different than a sway bar.
Sway bar links the 2 sides together and effectively increases your payload on one side when loaded unevenly.
Pulling a little trailer 5klbs with the electronic nannies in the truck and sway control equalizer hitch really negates the need for any other suspension mods in your case.
I've towed ALOT heavier without a fancy hitch with the newer 150s and it wasn't an issue. (Did leave a couple 14k loads on the side of the road and went and got my personal rig in my sig to pull them though!)

Edit: Misread your post. You were talking about the sway bars on the eq hitch not adding one to the truck axle. Just go try it. If sway is an issue, I'd rather the friction bars take over first than have the truck applying brakes and changing the throttle to get me in line. Although ive tested the sway control with and without a trailer on several different newer trucks and while I'd rather control my own destiny, when the truck takes over and straightens you out its pretty cool technology!

[forthefunofit94]

That's what I thought. Thanks for the feedback. I can't wait to hook it up and go.

[SouthpawHD]

I have built in sway control into my GMC as well, but I can tell you that having the sway bars makes it that much better.

[Greene728]

Try it and see. Best answer I can give.

[bgum]

Yes.