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11-11-2017, 07:54 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 857
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Rear Sway Bar Addition
Oddly, even though our Ram 1500 has every other tow feature, it did not get equipped with a rear sway bar. I am considering a Hellwig 22mm kit. Has anyone done this upgrade. It looks easy. I guess I am mainly curious about the value of the investment. The bar and kit is $300(+/-). Is there a decent improvement in handling? I am mostly interested in handling under load. Also, is it necessary for the front and rear bars to be the same diameter?
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11-12-2017, 09:12 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Fulton, NY
Posts: 958
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While I have not installed a rear bar on a Ram, I have installed many on all my Astro vans and had one put on my Tundra when I bought it new. They always made a very noticeable difference in the handling. My Ram 2500 has one standard so I didn't need to add it. No need to upgrade the front unless you really feel the need to. The fronts will generally be a larger diameter due to the weight that is always present.
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2017 28BHBE Kitchen skylight, remote control and Aluminum wheels hitched by ProPride 3P
2017 Ram 2500 CC LB 4x4 Big Horn Cummins
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11-12-2017, 12:46 PM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Connellsville
Posts: 22,721
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My wife's 2010 Ram 1500 4x4 has one from the factory. Have you considered adding the factory bar instead of an aftermarket?
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Moderator
2017 Jay Feather 7 22BHM Baja/Andersen WD
2018 F150 4x4 3.5L Ecoboost Max Tow
2015 MB Sprinter 2500 Passenger 2.1L Diesel
2007 Ram 2500 4x4 Cummins 5.9L G56
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11-16-2017, 04:27 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Lakewood, WA.
Posts: 4,540
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I put one on my 2017 2500 CTD I did the rear and it do make a different, I'm thinking about installing one for the front but I'm weighting that out.
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2023 Jayco North Point 310RLTS
2022 GMC Denali Ultimate DRW
Retired Army MSG
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11-16-2017, 11:21 AM
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#5
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Central CT
Posts: 53
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I have an 07 F150 which also did not come with a factory sway bar. I installed the hellwig setup and it made a world of difference, i haven't been able to tow my tt with it yet, since i'm still waiting on delivery of it. However i've towed several smaller but still heavy trailers and it makes a massive difference in the trucks road holding ability, it has 3 adjustable mounting points to adjust the stiffness of it, i keep mine on the center one and i am happy with how it feels. before i installed it the truck drove fine but felt very boaty now with it installed even without a trailer it drives better than before. it is noticeable on the highway when changing lanes, or cruising on back roads. when i first put it on i tried it out and i was able to throw it around corners far harder than i ever expected to be able too in a full size pickup. In short i would definitely recommend it to anybody considering it. Also, my dad has an 11 ram 1500 and my hellwig bar is much larger than his factory one. Here are a couple pics, my only complaint is that i had to bend one of the brake lines slightly to get the brackets on the axle but their was really no way around that if i wanted to install it
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11-16-2017, 07:41 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Lakewood, WA.
Posts: 4,540
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RichP
I have an 07 F150 which also did not come with a factory sway bar. I installed the hellwig setup and it made a world of difference, i haven't been able to tow my tt with it yet, since i'm still waiting on delivery of it. However i've towed several smaller but still heavy trailers and it makes a massive difference in the trucks road holding ability, it has 3 adjustable mounting points to adjust the stiffness of it, i keep mine on the center one and i am happy with how it feels. before i installed it the truck drove fine but felt very boaty now with it installed even without a trailer it drives better than before. it is noticeable on the highway when changing lanes, or cruising on back roads. when i first put it on i tried it out and i was able to throw it around corners far harder than i ever expected to be able too in a full size pickup. In short i would definitely recommend it to anybody considering it. Also, my dad has an 11 ram 1500 and my hellwig bar is much larger than his factory one. Here are a couple pics, my only complaint is that i had to bend one of the brake lines slightly to get the brackets on the axle but their was really no way around that if i wanted to install it
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It look nice and beefy.
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__________________
2023 Jayco North Point 310RLTS
2022 GMC Denali Ultimate DRW
Retired Army MSG
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11-17-2017, 09:17 AM
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#7
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Cape Coral, Florida
Posts: 4,796
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I just bought TRD rear sway bar for 2016 Tundra part # PTR113-4070.
Less than 1 hour install. I got it in Amazon for $234 delivered.
Toyota wanted $599 + tax installed. 4Bolts and 2 U-clamps.
Great modification for small amount of $$
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Cape Coral, Florida
2021 Toyota Tundra SR5, 5.7 V8
2022 Jayco 240RBS
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11-17-2017, 08:13 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Lakewood, WA.
Posts: 4,540
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Yes I agree, on my 3/4 ton it make it more stable and I and a 35" fiver that weight about 11,000 lbs.
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__________________
2023 Jayco North Point 310RLTS
2022 GMC Denali Ultimate DRW
Retired Army MSG
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11-17-2017, 08:23 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Millington
Posts: 368
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Sway bars will make the biggest impact in the tightest, highest g turns- when the bar is most apt to transfer load. If you’re an aggressive driver it is a great investment. It will add little to nothing while towing because you are cornering slowly so there’s very little lateral load to re-apply to the opposite side of the axle.
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Rob, Sarah, Ella, Ava
2017 Eagle HT 29.5BHDS -- 2011 F350 CCSB 4x4 PSD
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11-17-2017, 09:56 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Calgary
Posts: 458
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The helwig product is well regarded on the other forum I hang out at. I've never added one, but I know people who have and were happy with the improved handling when towing. Hard to measure maybe.
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11-18-2017, 09:21 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 857
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Thank you, guys!
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11-18-2017, 09:22 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 857
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RichP
I have an 07 F150 which also did not come with a factory sway bar. I installed the hellwig setup and it made a world of difference, i haven't been able to tow my tt with it yet, since i'm still waiting on delivery of it. However i've towed several smaller but still heavy trailers and it makes a massive difference in the trucks road holding ability, it has 3 adjustable mounting points to adjust the stiffness of it, i keep mine on the center one and i am happy with how it feels. before i installed it the truck drove fine but felt very boaty now with it installed even without a trailer it drives better than before. it is noticeable on the highway when changing lanes, or cruising on back roads. when i first put it on i tried it out and i was able to throw it around corners far harder than i ever expected to be able too in a full size pickup. In short i would definitely recommend it to anybody considering it. Also, my dad has an 11 ram 1500 and my hellwig bar is much larger than his factory one. Here are a couple pics, my only complaint is that i had to bend one of the brake lines slightly to get the brackets on the axle but their was really no way around that if i wanted to install it
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I am considering the Hellwig for sure. I think that center setting would be about right for me, too. Was there any drilling?
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11-18-2017, 09:36 AM
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#13
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Central CT
Posts: 53
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FeatherFam
I am considering the Hellwig for sure. I think that center setting would be about right for me, too. Was there any drilling?
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No drilling. It was 100% bolt on. It took me about an hour without any rush
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__________________
2007 Ford F150 super crew lariat
eaz lift trekker hitch
primus brake controller
2018 slx267 bhs
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11-18-2017, 09:44 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 857
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Awesome! I think the rear bar and some "big" brakes are my summer project this coming summer. I am looking at the Power Stop Tow front and rear kit.
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11-18-2017, 09:51 AM
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#15
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Central CT
Posts: 53
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FeatherFam
Awesome! I think the rear bar and some "big" brakes are my summer project this coming summer. I am looking at the Power Stop Tow front and rear kit.
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I have the power stop sport brakes they are great
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__________________
2007 Ford F150 super crew lariat
eaz lift trekker hitch
primus brake controller
2018 slx267 bhs
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11-18-2017, 09:54 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 857
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RichP
I have the power stop sport brakes they are great
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What's the difference between the sport and the tow brakes? What made you go with the sport?
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11-18-2017, 09:58 AM
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#17
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Central CT
Posts: 53
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FeatherFam
What's the difference between the sport and the tow brakes? What made you go with the sport?
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The tow brakes come with a little better brake pad but they are far more expensive and I didn't want to spend that much more since the whole setup was almost 500 anyways
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__________________
2007 Ford F150 super crew lariat
eaz lift trekker hitch
primus brake controller
2018 slx267 bhs
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11-18-2017, 10:03 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 857
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RichP
The tow brakes come with a little better brake pad but they are far more expensive and I didn't want to spend that much more since the whole setup was almost 500 anyways
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Got it. I will do some digging.
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