Backed up with sway control bar attached

[Garce421]

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

[bedrck46]

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

[Garce421]

Thanks I'm thinking about a sticky note on the dash until it becomes a little more second nature

[roving legrands]

I just untighten mine, before backing up when I get to my destination, I'm guessing that's fine too??

[Jhowemca]

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.

[bedrck46]

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??

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.

[Harreec]

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.

[mike837go]

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.

[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

[UpNorthMGOBLUE]

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

[sirrealone]

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.

[Bassdogs]

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

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.

[Garce421]

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

[ALJO]

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.

[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).

[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.

[Seann45]

You will bend the sway control before you will bend the hitch..

[clif1025]

x2

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.

[Subaru297]

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).

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.

[TWP723]

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.