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09-13-2015, 07:34 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Corpus
Posts: 15
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Backed up with sway control bar attached
So I have a pro series wd hitch with sway control bar. We are new to towing with wd hitch and I was told not to back up with the sway control bar attached...well I backed up with it probably 3-4 times on our first trip so far with it attached. Just plain forgot about it until I had it put away and unhooked. Could I have done any damage to the toungue of the trailer or the hitch with it attached? Doesn't really look any different, just curious. Thanks
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09-13-2015, 07:56 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Elizabethtown, PA
Posts: 1,560
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would all depend on what angle you had the TT and TV at You most likely didn't do any damage but you are pushing your luck. Get into the habit when checking in to remove the sway bar. While moving at campground speeds sway control is totally useless. Plus I don't think you have to worry about any large trucks passing you at high speed
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2004 Jay Feather 25E
2001 Ford Expedition 4X4 EB 5.4 3.55 rear
2004 Ford Expedition 4X4 EB 5.4 3.73 rear
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09-13-2015, 08:48 PM
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#3
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Corpus
Posts: 15
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Thanks I'm thinking about a sticky note on the dash until it becomes a little more second nature
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09-13-2015, 09:27 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: geneseo
Posts: 110
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I just untighten mine, before backing up when I get to my destination, I'm guessing that's fine too??
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2011 25.5rks
2019 2500 Chevy LTZ Duramax
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09-13-2015, 09:56 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Boston Suburbs
Posts: 302
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I've left mine on nine out of ten times while backing into a site without any problems... Sometimes it even helps.
Sometimes if I remove my WDH before I set up on an uneven site I can't fit any blocks under the tongue jack.
When this happens I can't extend my tongue jack enough to make the trailer level.
Though my WDH could be more forgiving than others. My spring bars slide on a friction bracket instead of attaching with chain links. Making the travel of the spring bars unlimited.
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2015 Jayflight SLX 287BHSW
2002 F-250 Extended Cab 4x4 6.8
Teconsha Prodigy P3 Brake Controller
Reese SC Weight Distrubition with sway control (12,000lb)
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09-14-2015, 01:10 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Elizabethtown, PA
Posts: 1,560
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Quote:
Originally Posted by roving legrands
I just untighten mine, before backing up when I get to my destination, I'm guessing that's fine too??
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If you can take the time to just untighten the sway bar then take the extra 30 seconds to pull the TWO pins and remove the sway bar.
__________________
2004 Jay Feather 25E
2001 Ford Expedition 4X4 EB 5.4 3.55 rear
2004 Ford Expedition 4X4 EB 5.4 3.73 rear
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09-14-2015, 06:15 AM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Stittsville
Posts: 54
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New to towing so I looked up my system
And this is what the manufacturer had to say about backing up:
"The Center Line HD system overcomes many problems associated with the equalizing hitches and passive friction sway controls that have been in use for the past 30 years:
• No more removing the sway control when backing up! The Center Line HD system is designed for your convenience."
My system is made by Husky.
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09-14-2015, 06:51 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Campbell Hall
Posts: 2,835
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The issue of backing with the anti-sway bar attached has less to do with running in reverse than the angles one gets when inserting a trailer into a campsite.
Towing forward will rarely see severe angles between the tow and trailer.
But, when we back the trailer, we can slowly go right to the limits of the ball & coupler system. At those severe angles, its is possible, even likely that an anti-sway system will stressed beyond its designed limitations.
So, will a sway bar be destroyed when you back up to adjust your rig at the gas pump? No, don't worry.
But is it a good idea to yank it (and the WD torsion bars) before starting the process of backing into a camp site. Just to make things easier and safer.
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TT 2015 19RD "TheJayco"
TV 2003 F-350 "Montblanc" - Housebroken chore truck
Sitting in The Cheap Seats.
And proud of it!
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09-14-2015, 07:57 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Elizabethtown, PA
Posts: 1,560
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The OP in this thread is talking about friction sway control SEE attached pic. This type of sway control should be removed when backing into a campsite or anywhere that you may encounter extremely sharp angles while backing
__________________
2004 Jay Feather 25E
2001 Ford Expedition 4X4 EB 5.4 3.55 rear
2004 Ford Expedition 4X4 EB 5.4 3.73 rear
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09-14-2015, 08:12 AM
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#10
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Alpena
Posts: 85
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I have the same memory problem, so the why I gave the DW the responsibility of telling me to take it off. We have had no issues since I did that
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09-14-2015, 10:29 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 195
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I've gotten in the habit of removing mine after I go into the campground office to check in. I backed in with mine on a couple of times, and while the bar was fine, I bent the heck out of the pin.
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09-14-2015, 10:58 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Dale Hollow Lake Tn/Ky
Posts: 2,525
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bedrck46
The OP in this thread is talking about friction sway control SEE attached pic. This type of sway control should be removed when backing into a campsite or anywhere that you may encounter extremely sharp angles while backing
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Think the key to remembering all this stuff is to establish a routine and follow it each time AND don't get into a hurry. I have a reese version of the same friction bar and it works great. Simple but effective. Its a pain to loosen it but have gotten use to giving it a turn or 1 1/2 so that it is easier to remove and reinstall when the TV is not at a perfectly straight angle. Its the severe angle that will bend or break this thing, not backing up. I try to remove it when I'm checking into a CG. Get a routine and follow it.
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09-15-2015, 07:30 PM
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#13
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Corpus
Posts: 15
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I know I should have removed it but this was our first time with a trailer that required a WD hitch with the pro sway control and I just plain forgot. It does take a little more to tighten it down all the way so maybe it's bent a little? Not sure but I will remove it from now on. Just hoping the tongue and my receiver are good
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09-15-2015, 09:20 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Sparwood, BC
Posts: 2,800
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Using this type of sway control for over 30 years and never removed or releasing when backing up. Have been in some very tight sites. Must have been lucky I guess.
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2014 Ram 1500 CrewCab 4x4 5.7 Hemi 3.92 Rear and Air Lift 1000
2005 Jayco Jay Feather LGT - 29Y GVWR-7000 lbs.
Dexter Axle Lift 4-9/16" - installed with sub-frame.
Pro Series 1200 lbs. WDH with Double Sway Bar.
Champion 3100/2800 watt Inverter/Generator-Onboard Solar Power
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09-16-2015, 02:31 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Greater Grand Rapids
Posts: 1,393
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Haven't posted in a while, but this subject matter caught my eye. About the 4th or 5th time out, I forgot to loosen/remove my friction sway bar, and snapped the shaft off the little ball. I wasn't even at that tight of an angle. Fortunately, there was a trailer dealer about 15 miles up the road who had a new ball in stock for about $9.00. Now, I make sure I loosen the friction handle while I'm at the dump station filling my fresh water tanks.
Just wanted to throw in my nickel's worth (inflation & all).
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2013 Eagle 266RKS
2011 Ford F-150 w/3.5L Ecoboost & H.D. Tow Package
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09-16-2015, 07:01 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: McKean, PA
Posts: 1,073
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We have a friction type sway control and when we travel, I have my wife check us in and I remove the sway control right at the campground entrance.
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2011 Skylark 21FKV
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09-17-2015, 06:03 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Saskatoon Sask Canada
Posts: 10,720
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You will bend the sway control before you will bend the hitch..
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Seann
2004 Chev Silverado Duramax optioned past the max. 2009 Jayco Eagle 308 RLS 900watts of solar, Lithium batteries (400amp hour), 2000 watt (4000 surge) whole house inverter.
145days /2023 2022/151 2021[/COLOR]
93/2020,157/2019219/2018 206/2017,215/2016, 211/2015, 196/14, 247/13, 193/12
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09-17-2015, 10:02 AM
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#18
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Lutz
Posts: 12
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Like this says
x2
Quote:
Originally Posted by us71na
We have a friction type sway control and when we travel, I have my wife check us in and I remove the sway control right at the campground entrance.
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09-17-2015, 11:06 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Calgary
Posts: 885
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brownie
Haven't posted in a while, but this subject matter caught my eye. About the 4th or 5th time out, I forgot to loosen/remove my friction sway bar, and snapped the shaft off the little ball. I wasn't even at that tight of an angle. Fortunately, there was a trailer dealer about 15 miles up the road who had a new ball in stock for about $9.00. Now, I make sure I loosen the friction handle while I'm at the dump station filling my fresh water tanks.
Just wanted to throw in my nickel's worth (inflation & all).
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I have never used this type of sway control but wouldn't the damage occur at the end of travel? Not from it being engaged. Loosening it won't save you from damaging it if you turn sharp enough. I think you need to remove it totally.
Correct me if I am wrong.
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2014 Jayco Swift 281BHS, 300W Solar!
2015 F250 XLT 4x4 Crew Cab, Short box, 6.2 gas
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09-17-2015, 11:54 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Abingdon
Posts: 6,177
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I had the same sway control with my pop-up. I pulled the pins and took it off EVERY TIME backing up. Now, leaving the tailgate down and punching a hole with the corner of it into my propane tank cover? Well..that's a different story.
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2013 Jayco Eagle 328 RLTS
2021 Keystone Montana 3121RL
2013 F350 6.7L 4x4 CCLB
W/Air Lift air bags (front & rear)
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