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Old 06-20-2013, 06:32 PM   #1
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Sway bar, backing up??

Some people say DO NOT back up with sway bar attached. Our dealer said it is ok. Which is it? Need all the help we can get. First outing tomorrow.
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Old 06-20-2013, 06:42 PM   #2
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I have seen the frame bent by someone backing up with the sway bar on. I always take it off. Also it is harder to get the trailer to go where you want it with a sway bar attached. Have a great trip!
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Old 06-20-2013, 09:10 PM   #3
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I have never taken it off and I've never had a problem. In my opinion, as long as you don't turn sharp enough to contact the sway control ball to the trailer frame you'll be just fine. My truck/camper combo won't turn that sharp and to be honest, I don't think that I'd ever need to even if I could.
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Old 06-20-2013, 09:18 PM   #4
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We bought a new antisway bar for our previous trailer. The manufacturers instruction sheet said to remove the bar before backing up. The one that came with that used trailer was bent, hence the replacement unit.
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Old 06-21-2013, 06:25 AM   #5
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It sounds like the problem is backing up sharply. Opinions are about 50 50, so I think I will make a habit of removing it, in case I need to back into a tight space. Thanks to everyone.
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Old 06-21-2013, 06:44 AM   #6
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It takes all of 15 seconds to take the sway bar off. I always take it off when I get ready to back up (i.e., into campsite, into driveway, etc). I'm out of the truck before I back up to "size up" the situation anyways, so off comes the bar. Only need it on the hwy anyway.
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Old 06-21-2013, 08:41 AM   #7
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I have never taken mine off, but I did see photos recently where someone snapped the ball right off the mount on the trailer.
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Old 06-21-2013, 11:09 PM   #8
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When I stop to park the trailer I always get out of the truck and look the spot over. That is a good time to remove the sway control. As mentioned you will have to turn really sharp to put it in a bind and bend it.
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Old 06-22-2013, 11:47 AM   #9
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My set up does not Click image for larger version

Name:	husky centerline.jpg
Views:	42
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ID:	8713require it be taken off prior to backing up. I do have to be lined up in a straight line to take my bars off though or it just doesn't work.
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Old 06-23-2013, 06:22 AM   #10
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I find that removing the sway bar is a nice way to pass the time while I'm filling my fresh water tank before parking my rig on the campsite.
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Old 06-23-2013, 06:31 AM   #11
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Always get in the habit of removing it. All it takes is one sharp turn while backing to bottom out the bar and either bend it or damage one of the ball mounts. We either remove it upon checking in at the CG or the wifey will remove it just before backing into a site.
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Old 06-23-2013, 03:08 PM   #12
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When I arrive at the site, I go to the fridge for a cold one, (and it is cold because I leave the refridge running whle traveling)opon heading back to the tv I remove the sway bar to do any backing up, turning & going forward my DW wants. Before disconnecting, I will probabley get another cold one,(you can't even imagine how hot and dusty it can get in some CG'S) then pick up the sway bar before I FORGET where I put it .Larry
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Old 06-30-2013, 08:00 PM   #13
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I have read a lot about reversing with sway bar hooked on. Some say it is safe and some say remove. The one I have says it is okay to keep it on, but I take it off as I figure it is better to be safe than sorry. It is one of those things that when you are towing how often apart from parking the TT are you backing up.......if it is just at the CG then I would take it off to be safe.
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Old 06-30-2013, 09:00 PM   #14
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We have the Equalizer sway/wdh system. The design on that wdh is such that we are not required to remove the bars prior to backing. One of the reasons we went with the Equalizer is when we 'long distance' travel in unfamiliar area's including gas stations, we've had moments where we had to back up unexpectedly...
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Old 07-02-2013, 07:46 PM   #15
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I have towed some where around 50,000 miles and have never taken mine off, just lucky I guess
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Old 07-31-2013, 08:58 AM   #16
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It sure is a lot easier to take a couple of minutes to remove the sway bar than to have it replaced or worst have to deal with a bent frame....

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Old 07-31-2013, 09:18 AM   #17
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Depends on manufacturer and design. We have the Equal-i-zer which is designed to be used in reverse as well, our main reason for getting it. I prefer to be able to back up in a pinch, even tight if needed. I could easily see bending a few of the styles out there. If you don't turn sharp, most units should work in reverse, but remove it if you are unsure. Even with our Equal-i-zer it backs easier with them off, not fighting the load, especially on a hilly site. What I tend to do, is while my wife registers, I remove the bars and stow them in the TT. Saves a few minutes at the site, and we can reverse easier. Gets me to that 'cold one' that much faster, using time i would have spent sitting in the TV or wandering around the campground office/store!
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Old 07-31-2013, 12:55 PM   #18
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We always take it off when backing up.

We tend to visit the same 3 local campgrounds for the most part. I've set a location reminder on my iphone that will alert me to take off the sway bar when I arrive at each campground. It's a pretty cool feature.

The one downside is that I will get an alert every time I pass the check in area of that CG while I'm staying there but that's a small price to pay. lol
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