2nd Anti-Sway Bar...Didn't consider I was pulling with a van

[travelingjw]

Learned something helpful today. I was with a friend who has been pulling trailers for years. We were in my Chevy 1500 Express Van (with a 2500 rear end). All my weight specs are good, checked by multiple "experts." We were driving and were hit with a gust of wind (my TT was not connected). While he and a number of others more knowledgeable then I helped me with the set-up, he had actually never been in a van before that got "hit" with a wind gust.
First thing, he apologized, for not recognizing how a van reacts to wind, second thing he said was go get a second anti-sway bar for your TT.

I am posting this because there has been a lot of discussion about hitches and sway bars the past month. My bias is that if it takes a few more dollars to be safe then choose safety. Your family and those of us sharing the road with you will appreciate it. I don't think I've ever seen one of the "crash videos" where they concluded that the crash was because there was "too much safety."

I have a husky round bar unit which will now have 2 anti-sway friction mechanisms attached.

[Rustic Eagle]

Yes, most WDH manufactures recommend adding a 2nd friction control sway bar on TT's longer then 25ft long if the WDH doesn't have integrated sway control.

Bob

[travelingjw]

Thanks. I am amazed at how many different views there are on this subject. Not as straight forward as one would expect. It will be installed prior to our next trip.

[Rustic Eagle]

IMO the longer/heavier TT's, HTT's etc., benefit greatly by adding the 2nd friction control sway bar. I ran across one WDH manufacture stating in the installation instructions that a "short wheel base" tow vehicle should consider adding the 2nd unit as well.

Bob

[Midnightmoon]

Originally Posted by travelingjw

Learned something helpful today. I was with a friend who has been pulling trailers for years. We were in my Chevy 1500 Express Van (with a 2500 rear end). All my weight specs are good, checked by multiple "experts." We were driving and were hit with a gust of wind (my TT was not connected). While he and a number of others more knowledgeable then I helped me with the set-up, he had actually never been in a van before that got "hit" with a wind gust.
First thing, he apologized, for not recognizing how a van reacts to wind, second thing he said was go get a second anti-sway bar for your TT.

I have a 2015 Mercedes Sprinter 2500 Passenger van. It is not my primary tow vehicle, but I have pulled with it several times. That van is very sensitive in the wind to begin with and when you add a 26' trailer behind it, it becomes like a sail in the wind. Biggest thing is to be comfortable with your combination and be prepared to react in the case of a heavy cross wind.

Speaking of cross winds, the Sprinter has an electronic cross wind assist. I'm not much for electronic gadgets, but it saved my bacon last summer when I got caught up in a strong thunderstorm down south. The system reacted much faster than I could.

[Seann45]

Google Hensley Arrow or Pro Pride for the very best in sway control. BUT be sitting on the toilet when you look at the prices. You can find lots in the used area they are expensive and worth every penny