Towing without mounting the anti-sway spring arms (bars)

[Mike_and_Verena]

I have an E2 Fastway weight distribution hitch, overall it has worked well.

Just want to ask a question, I'm still a newbie. So far every time we've gone anywhere we put the sway bars on and even in strong cross winds the trailer was steady.

Do I need to put the spring arms (sway bars) on for short trips across town in good weather? It seems to me that there shouldn't be any problem to that. Just want to double check if anyone has any ideas on this.

Thanks.

[B-n-B]

colliehauler wrote:

Bucky Badger wrote:
I don't use bars from the storage yard to my house.

I don't either but it's only about 1 mile of residential streets.

+1

You shouldn't have any problems.

[nickthehunter]

The hitch on your TV has a rating for tongue weight. It will be two numbers, and it will be something like "500 lbs. without WD system", and a second number like "1500 lbs. with WD system". I don't have a clue what you're towing with, but if the tongue weight of your TT exceeds that first number (without WD system), you have a potential disaster in the making; if you tow without those bars hooked up.

[GaryWT]

I know for me, my E2 Equil i zer hitch, the bars are both wd and sway. Takes minutes to put them on. Sometimes the wd is a lot more important than the sway. As stated, some hitches are rated a lot lower without wd so you might be too heavy for the receiver and then there could be a problem.

I do pull mine from storage to the driveway without wd but that is only about 35 feet...

[colliehauler]

Bucky Badger wrote:
I don't use bars from the storage yard to my house.

I don't either but it's only about 1 mile of residential streets.

[APT]

The Fastaway system is a WDH with integrated say control. It distributes some trailer tongue weight off the rear axle and onto the front axle of the tow vehicle as well as reduced sway control. You have both benefits or neither. Sway is less likey to be a probably at lower speeds, say <50mph than highway/65mph. Likewise, the reduced weight on the steering wheels will have less effect at lower speeds. However, your receiver likely has a lower weight limits without a WDH, so check that before perusing.

Generally, I'd say stick with it until you know very well how a WDH works and your exact weights and ratings.

[Mr__Camper]

Compare the extra few minutes putting them on and taking them off with the time spent when you don't and the ball separates and the RV goes straight when you turn right. Actually saw this happen this fall on route 9 in Arkansas. The guy was heading south on 9 and the driver made a right onto 10 westbound. He missed a pothole, made the turn and his RV continued south, hit a ditch and turned on its side. Took almost 10 minutes for the police to arrive.

[2_Retired]

Why wouldn't you use them if you have them? Stability = safety! We NEVER failed to use them when we towed our TT.

[Campfire_Time]

The spring bars are also what provides the weight distribution. Without them you may not have enough weight to have control on the TV's front wheels. Even on a short ride that could be a scary thing.

[fla-gypsy]

As long as you can be certain that nothing unexpected won't happen. Think about that for a minute.