Not good! Anti-sway Bar Issue

[Soulman]

May as well make my 100th post a good one....check this out....



Had the anti-sway bar for a couple years but didn't need it until we got a bigger trailer. Less than 100 miles into our first trip and I see it hanging down at our first stop. The ball was ripped off the mounting plate. Having never used one before, I'm 100% sure it was "operator error". So, before our next trip, I've got to weld the ball back on and, more importantly, learn how to PROPERLY adjust the tension. So feel free to school me, if you will. Obviously, I could use some help!

[Threebutchers]

Yikes.....glad your safe!!!!

[Grumpy]

Is the ball properly located, or did you make a tight turn while backing up?

[Mike WA]

I would just buy another ball plate and bolt it on.

[lx22f/c]

Originally Posted by Mike WA

I would just buy another ball plate and bolt it on.

X2 they are cheap... Looks to be properly located to me but i am using my phone and hard to tell for sure..
You could have just got a defective one.
I tighten mine down the way my dad did " tight as you can get it, then one more turn" Lol but i loosen up before backing a tight turn.

[ktbarrentine]

x3 on installing a replacement ball. You should be able to find the manuf specs and instructions on line for your strut. There are some youtube videos as well, but be carefull with those...anyone can make a youtube video (just sayin').

[Rustic Eagle]

Here are the Reese installation/adjustment instructions: http://hitchpro.com/application/supp...ons/N26660.pdf

As mentioned, best to remove the sway bar when backing up.

Bob

[Soulman]

Well, this was not the result of backing up. I was at a rest stop when I noticed it. It was installed exactly (former engineer) to specs. I'm pretty sure it was a tight turn but going forward not back and too tight of a setting. I remember that it made a lot of scraping(?) sound whenever I made a turn, just figured that was the way it was supposed to sound and that it was working. Thanks Rustic Eagle for those instructions...they are similar to mine, but when I set it to those specs, it wouldn't budge. I will look at a new plate since they're not supposed to be too expensive and decide from there.
Thanks for all the good thoughts and advice. Great group of people here!

[VicS1950]

Originally Posted by Rustic Eagle

...
As mentioned, best to remove the sway bar when backing up.

Bob

That's my understanding and I apply that as SOP. That can apply to tight turns while going forward also.

If it didn't happen when backing up then I would check the location of the mount(s) and geometry of the installation very carefully. If the bar comes to either end of its travel something needs to give.

I'm 99% positive that the USA swivel ball sizes are standard. I learned that the plate bolt patterns are not all the same when I replaced the mount/sway bar which the previous owner took with him. The pattern was off just enough to make it a real pain to modify for attachment. I recommend replacing with the same maunufacturer or at least taking the broken plate with you to check the hole pattern. vic

[sirrealone]

If I forget to take the sway bar off before backing off or making a very tight turn, then the hitch pin will bend. I've gone through a few and now keep some extras with me.

[mohok1]

Look up WDH videos on the net. Will give you proper set up instructions. Hope this helps, it did me. I towed for 12 years with a WDH and never knew how to set it up properly until I moved up to a 35.5 foot TT. I installed a sway bar on the left side also and towed 900 miles last weekend and had little to no fishtailing. I had some broadside wind gust
enroute. The trucks did not bother me either.

[Soulman]

Thanks to all for the info and advice.....love this forum!