Roadmaster or Hellwig Rear Swaybar

[GeoBoy]

I have a 2015 GMC Sierra 3500 HD dually with a set of Timbrens and I am thinking about a rear sway bar. Both Roadmaster and Hellwig make rear bars for my truck but they mount differently. The Roadmaster end links mounts towards the rear where as the Hellwig end links mounts facing the front of the truck. Is the way they attach to the frame better or worse for the frame and the handling. Lastly the GM boxed frame is supposed to be very rigid is a rear sway bar necessary? Thanks.

[HMS_Beagle]

A rigid frame does not make a sway bar more, or less, necessary, but it does make a sway bar more effective. A sway bar has two functions: 1) to control body lean and 2) to control the proportion of weight transfer (to the outside tires in a corner) between front and rear axle. The latter in particular becomes more problematic with a floppy frame, as it simply twists more than the sway bar.

Body lean is what most truck/camper owners want to control, but weight transfer can become important if for example a very stiff bar is put on the back keeping a weak one on the front. You may find unusual handling when running empty in that situation. It is best to upgrade both ends in somewhat equal amounts.

[SidecarFlip]

Additionally, I'm moving my spare tire from under the truck bed to the front end. Nothing worse than dismounting the underbed spare tire, especially when it's not been removed for a while. All the road grime and **** collects under there and corrodes the securing mechanism. Been there and did that with skinned elbows and lots of cuss words.

Front mounting the spare eliminates that issue entirely, plus it gives you an extra receiver hitch on the front and it removes a bit of weight from the back axle and puts it on the front axle which is usually the lightest loaded anyway.

I never considered it at all until I had a flat in the boonies and had to wrestle the spare from under the truck. Won't happen again

[SidecarFlip]

While it may or may not be germane to your situation, I've broken a number of sway bar links driving off road with my camper on. I carry a spare with me now. When you articulate the rear end or front end (mine is solid axle front and rear), the stress on the opposite side of the sway bar (remember a sway bar is actually a torsion bar) can break the link (which is the connection to the frame rail).

Why off roaders routinely disconnect a sway bar when 4 wheeling.

If you drive on pavement or smooth surfaces all the time, no issue. I don't.

[d3500ram]

Where is your spare tire mounted? Perhaps that might make your decision.

I added a HellWig to mine and it was rear facing with the spare tire mounted flat under the bed behind the rear axle. The stock 265 spare tire fit with no concern. When I stepped up to 285 tires, the spare still fit, but I need to specifically guide it into place around the sway bar.