Traction control systems and trailer sway bars

[ognend]

Hello! I have been reading my new truck manual (yeah, I know!) and in the towing section it mentions that the Traction Control System and Stabilitrak system "sense" trailer sway and selectively apply trailer and truck brakes (and may even reduce engine torque) if they sense your trailer is swaying. Does this mean I can do away with my sway bar? Or is this just sounding great on paper but not in practice? I would not mind doing away with the sway bar but on the other hand it is a "hardware device" that needs no computers and is really not subject to any failure and needs nothing to operate. Thanks!

[valhalla360]

It will work but not as well as a properly set up trailer with a good hitch weight and a WDH with sway control.

One problem is if it is activated a lot, you will wear out brakes and burn more fuel...so better than losing control but not a good plan for every day towing.

[ognend]

time2roll wrote:
I agree with Grit. Will depend on the combo and how it tows without. Also read the complete towing section of the owners' manual as there could be more details than the marketing brochure. Some truck hitches want the weight distribution etc. to go over 5,000 pounds trailer weight. Plenty of larger trailers tow just fine with just a pintle hook.

Give it a go and post the results.

I've been towing this trailer since 2007 with 4 different trucks (1/2 ton, 2 3/4 ton diesels and now a 1-ton DRW cab/chassis) - I always used the same adjustable WD/sway-bar hitch since the trailer has been the same trailer since 2007. I was just hoping to see if I can do without the anti-sway bar on the trailer/hitch and maybe without the weight distribution as well. The trailer has a GVWR of 7,000lbs and my current truck is 8800lbs. I read my towing section of the truck manual and I understand about weight distribution in trailer and need to have 10-15% of trailer weight on the hitch.

[time2roll]

I agree with Grit. Will depend on the combo and how it tows without. Also read the complete towing section of the owners' manual as there could be more details than the marketing brochure. Some truck hitches want the weight distribution etc. to go over 5,000 pounds trailer weight. Plenty of larger trailers tow just fine with just a pintle hook.

Give it a go and post the results.

[Mike134]

ognend wrote:

Excuse me for ruining your day up there on the pedestal of towing Gods. Jeez.

Have to excuse him, he's got over 15,000 posts (average 5 a day) so he's "that guy" at the campground bar.

[ognend]

Grit dog wrote:
Why do you need it? If the answer is because your trailer tows poorly and is all over the road, then absolutely you cannot get rid of it. Why would you want your vehicle trying to compensate for a schitty handling trailer with its own brakes ALL the time?

However, if the answer is you do not know why you need it, perhaps only because someone said it was required, then you most likely dont need it nor did you ever need it, regardless of what fancy features the truck has.

I am not sure why these angry tones - it was a simple question. I put on weight distribution/anti sway hitch on my trailer because it is cheap insurance but this was back in 2007 when I had a 1500 truck (1/2 ton). Now I have a truck that weighs more than the trailer and a truck that has all this fancy new stuff like traction control, stabilitrak etc. So, I thought I ask. Excuse me for ruining your day up there on the pedestal of towing Gods. Jeez.

[NamMedevac_70]

I have had excellent results with the Equalizer Weight Distribution system and their square sway bars allowed me tight but not extreme tight turns. The bars are easy and quick to remove. The system is easy to use and set up with no da chains. I love it and its simplicity.

Due to my short block list I cannot see some comments. Too bad GD. Cheers

[goducks10]

The factory built in sway control is a reactive vs proactive system. It only activates after the trailer has excessive sway. To stop the trailer from having excessive sway in the 1st place is to have the correct tongue weight and or a good WDH with built in sway control. Your tow vehicle must be set up correctly as well with the front end returned to OEM requirements.

[Lwiddis]

Is your tongue weight in the 13-15% range? That’s the number one sway preventative. Check by weighing at a scale. So far my 2020 is doing fine without the sway bar.

[Grit_dog]

Why do you need it? If the answer is because your trailer tows poorly and is all over the road, then absolutely you cannot get rid of it. Why would you want your vehicle trying to compensate for a schitty handling trailer with its own brakes ALL the time?

However, if the answer is you do not know why you need it, perhaps only because someone said it was required, then you most likely dont need it nor did you ever need it, regardless of what fancy features the truck has.

[ognend]

Sjm9911 wrote:
Lol, it will help after you start swaying. I would rather have a sway bar that prevents sway from happening in the first place. Its cheap insurance.

I have a sway bar and I have a WD hitch but the hitch is like, 50 lbs and the WD arms reduce my turning radius (my flatbed/hitch is low in the back and comes up against the WD arms). It is a pain in the arse to set up as well, every time I need to hook up. I was hoping I could do away with the whole thing.

[Sjm9911]

Lol, it will help after you start swaying. I would rather have a sway bar that prevents sway from happening in the first place. Its cheap insurance.

[ktmrfs]

stabilitrac can only do so much, IMHO the short answer to your question is NO.