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06-25-2014, 09:17 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Streetsboro
Posts: 4
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Sway Bar, Brake Ctlr questions from novice tower
Hello,
I am new to towing. Just bought a GMC Acadia with factory installed tow pkg and will be pulling the 2010 Jay Feather Sport, model 119. I had a brake controller added to Acadia. With the trailer, the pervious owner included his towing gear consisting of adjustable hitch, leveling bars and sway bar. While on a practice drive all seemed to work well but I do have a few questions:
1. Sway bar is noisy when not traveling in straight line. I believe there will always be some noise but are there any tricks to minimize it and how do I know for sure when I have sway bar adjusted for best performance?
2. I adjusted brake controller until I felt it was set correctly. Again though, how can I know for sure it is set correctly keeping in mind safety and both sets of brakes effectiveness?
3. I understand purpose of sway bar and feel it is a necessary piece of equipment. But I read about not using it in rainy, snowing or slippery conditions which seems like when it would be most useful. So am I correct in believing it is a necessary piece of equipment or with the rig I have and being a careful driver, can it be considered optional?
thank you for your advice,
Bob Peters
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06-25-2014, 11:05 AM
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#2
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 9,424
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Bob,
Welcome to JOF
In response to your questions:
1) Check out the following link for proper adjustment and maintenance of a standard friction control sway bar: http://www.etrailer.com/instructions.aspx?pn=RP26660
2) Knowing the brand/model of bake controller would be helpful, but basically you want the trailer brakes to engage just prior to the TV's brakes. Also, in an open parking lot test the "manual" operation of the brake controller....., moving at about 10mph apply the trailer brakes "manually" from the controller (don't apply TV brakes) and the trailer brakes should lock up.
3) IMO every TV/TT combination should have a sway control device, with or without a WDH. There are to many less then ideal towing conditions that can arise that could contribute to a sway event.
Hope this helps
Bob
__________________
2016 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4.10
2018 Jay Flight 24RBS
2002 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4:10 (retired)
2005 Jayco Eagle 278FBS (retired)
1999 Jayco Eagle 246FB (retired)
Reese HP Dual Cam (Strait-Line)
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06-25-2014, 09:33 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: North Idaho/Arizona
Posts: 5,446
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Bob, some of the noise could be coming from the hitch ball. A light coat of oil or grease can help there. The bars on the weight distribution hitch can and should also be lubed where it fits into the hitch. The sway control needs to stay oil free and dry as it works on friction.
__________________
2011 Eagle 330RLTS with just about every option.
2017 Silverado 1500 4x4 5.3 with tow package. (no, we don't tow the Jayco with it.)
2018 Surveyor 265RLDS well equipped.
Life in the slow lane is still life.
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06-27-2014, 11:56 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: north az
Posts: 305
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Never but oil or grease to quite the bar. Perhaps a good cleaning of the slide with steel wool would help. Loosen the handle, and the slide will pull out. The nut below the handle adds or lessens tenson on slide. Factory setting is the starting place. Only way to adjust, is to pull unit, Got sway, tighten down 1/4 turn, then pull again. etc etc until you are happy.
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06-27-2014, 12:05 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: north az
Posts: 305
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My receiver/ wdh connection is loose, and it bangs and rattles somewhat, more on rough roads. Just the way it is.
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06-27-2014, 12:27 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 3,430
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I've towed with my sway control bar in the rain. It saved my neck once. When they get wet they groan like crazy. Because of the tightness, they don't dry out fast so they can continue to make noise long after it stops raining. Make sure its tight enough. If its too loose it can make noise also. The link applies to all sway control bars, not just the Curt they have in the picture.
http://www.etrailer.com/question-35976.html
__________________
Chuck
2013 Jayco Jayfeather X20 E (sold)
2016 Chevy Silverado LTZ 2 Z71 Crew Cab (sold, and dearly missed)
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06-27-2014, 05:25 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Greater Grand Rapids
Posts: 1,393
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First time I towed with my WDH & Sway-control Bar, the set-up made so much noise I thought it was going to break. Asked for help, here, and folks said to get the hitch ball and the WDH bar ends greased up to get the noise under control. My bars have grease zerks, so pumped them up w/grease and was amazed how much that quieted things down. (you guys have been so much help to me. Thanks!) The friction sway control bar still screams when I turn a corner, but that's just the way they are. Lube up your hitch ball too. That will also help quiet things down. Just beware not to get it all over your pants when you unhitch!
__________________
2013 Eagle 266RKS
2011 Ford F-150 w/3.5L Ecoboost & H.D. Tow Package
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06-27-2014, 05:45 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Los Lunas, New Mexico
Posts: 3,766
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X2 on Brownie's comments....especially the grease on the pants - hands too!
__________________
2018 Eagle HT 26.5 RLDS. SOLD
2009 F150 Supercab UNICORN, 5.4L ,3.73, HD and Max Tow Packages, Timbrens, Bilstein shocks.
Wet bolt kit. Andersen Ultimate 20K hitch. TST 507RV TPMS. Hydro Life HL-200. 16" Goodyear Endurance. Progressive EMS. SteadyFast Stabilizers. Furion backup camera.
Best friend wife, Di, and dog Cooper. RETIRED
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