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05-07-2015, 06:35 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Garden City
Posts: 151
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"Remove sway-bar before backing in"...who does this?
Ive read about this a few times. Does anyone do this?
When you back in, in theory, your trailer shout NOT be jackknifing...it should really be any more extreme than a turn...but in reality sometimes a tight spot you could be coming pretty close to jackknifing (without hitting the tow vehicle of course) and wouldn't want to be fighting the sway control
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2015 JAYCO JAYFLIGHT LSX 267BHSW
2017 CHEVY SILVERADO 5.4 L V8 ECOTECS
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05-07-2015, 06:42 AM
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#2
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Mobile
Posts: 25
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I have an equalizer brand and never disconnect it until I unhook. no issues.
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2015 Jayco x19H
2012 Ram 1500 4.7
Smart Power 2000iQ
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05-07-2015, 06:43 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 1,712
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I have a Fastway E2 (Equalizer clone) and never disconnect to back up.
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2018 28BHBE
2017 Ford F250 XLT, 6.2 gasser
2013 26BH (traded)
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05-07-2015, 06:45 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Sparta, TN
Posts: 1,174
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This applies to those who have a separate sway bar.
Everyone who values the camper and their tow vehicle removes the sway bar before backing.
If you are backing and exceed the sway bar travel something is going to give. Damage WILL result. Either to the trailer tongue, the hitch, or, at the very least, the sway bar itself.
I usually remove the sway bar while at the check-in station.
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Chuck - Sparta, TN
2012 Jay Flight 22FB, 2 x Honda EU2000i
2013 GMC Yukon XL Denali AWD
EDUCATION is what you get when you read the fine print.....
EXPERIENCE is what you get when you don't.
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05-07-2015, 06:47 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Langley
Posts: 516
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Due to the location of where I have to park my TT iat my house and sometimes at some camp sites, I will remove my WDH bars to be able to turn in sharper. It puts too much strain on the bars and I am sure on the frame of the TT and often makes it very difficult to remove when I am at too much of an angle.
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05-07-2015, 07:01 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Garden City
Posts: 151
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tnchuck100
This applies to those who have a separate sway bar.
Everyone who values the camper and their tow vehicle removes the sway bar before backing.
If you are backing and exceed the sway bar travel something is going to give. Damage WILL result. Either to the trailer tongue, the hitch, or, at the very least, the sway bar itself.
I usually remove the sway bar while at the check-in station.
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I have pro series...2 weight distribution bars and a separate sway bar...
good idea removing the sway bar at check in...
__________________
2015 JAYCO JAYFLIGHT LSX 267BHSW
2017 CHEVY SILVERADO 5.4 L V8 ECOTECS
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05-07-2015, 07:35 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Some place
Posts: 190
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Equalizer brand hitch here, bars are not removed until we are parked. I used the sliding friction bar with our popup. It was removed before backing in to a spot.
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05-07-2015, 07:39 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Bartonville
Posts: 513
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I saw a guy back his popup into a tight spot without removing the friction-type sway bar. The sway bar was bent so badly it was destroyed. Lesson learned - the hard way.
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Scoutr2 (Mike)
2015 Jay Flight 32RLDS Elite
2012 Chevy 2500HD Crew Cab LTZ (6.6L Duramax/Allison)
Equalizer Hitch (1200# bars)
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05-07-2015, 08:30 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Western, Maryland
Posts: 105
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I remove mine. Every camper. Every trip. Easy enough while filling water tank or at check in.
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Nancy-7 year US Air Force vet married to Joe-22 year retired US Air Force vet
2008 Nissan Pathfinder
2014 Jayco Jayflight Swift 264BH
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05-07-2015, 08:35 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Abingdon
Posts: 6,177
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I've gotten into the habit of disconnecting before backing into sites. Only because, we had to with the pop-up because of the sway controller. Although, the last time I went camping, I did not. Mainly, because it was a pull-thru site!
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2013 Jayco Eagle 328 RLTS
2021 Keystone Montana 3121RL
2013 F350 6.7L 4x4 CCLB
W/Air Lift air bags (front & rear)
Equal-I-Zer™ WDH & B&W Companion
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05-07-2015, 08:42 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 3,431
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I take it off. It's takes seconds to remove. I have to get out anyway to get a full visual on where I want to back in.
__________________
Chuck
2013 Jayco Jayfeather X20 E (sold)
2016 Chevy Silverado LTZ 2 Z71 Crew Cab (sold, and dearly missed)
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05-07-2015, 09:58 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Dallas
Posts: 155
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I agree with BCx213. Very well said.
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05-07-2015, 11:12 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Sparwood, BC
Posts: 2,800
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Never removed the sway bar with backing up the TT. When properly installed it touches the frame just under 90 degrees. The 1 1/4 ball still would be in the way.
If you are that close you're doing something wrong with backing up. Just re-learn to properly back up. Some automobile associations have classes available. Don't be ashamed to go to them.
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2014 Ram 1500 CrewCab 4x4 5.7 Hemi 3.92 Rear and Air Lift 1000
2005 Jayco Jay Feather LGT - 29Y GVWR-7000 lbs.
Dexter Axle Lift 4-9/16" - installed with sub-frame.
Pro Series 1200 lbs. WDH with Double Sway Bar.
Champion 3100/2800 watt Inverter/Generator-Onboard Solar Power
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05-07-2015, 11:32 AM
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#14
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Clayton NC
Posts: 45
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I do on an as needed basis like the time I got a site on a very narrow service road, lots of nearby trees, and a steep, rutted driveway. My rig just seems more responsive to directional inputs with the bars off and it easier on the equipment.
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2014 Jay Flight 32RLDS
2002 F250 with 7.3 L PowerStroke
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05-07-2015, 01:02 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Bremerton
Posts: 342
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For those of you with a REESE trunion-style WD hitch, be aware of the old style hitch head design. The trunion bars hit the threaded shank of the ball during extreme turns (jackknife while backing).
My WD bar busted out and damaged the socket in the hitch head - TWICE!
REESE stepped up and replaced my hitch head for free with a new design. The relief on which the ball sits is now higher and the bars now clear the threaded shank.
I have the strait-line sway control set up and don't have any issue (now) with a jackknife condition while backing. I would have to make full contract between TV and TT before the WD bars fell out of the strait-line brackets.
Again, for you RESSE trunion bar owners, check to see if your bars will make contact with the ball shank.
Tim
2008 26BHS
2010 RAM 2500 CCLB
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05-07-2015, 02:56 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Cedar Hill
Posts: 108
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I also have the equalizer brand sway control. Up until now, I have not removed them before backing into my sheltered park. However, the radius of turn is very sharp and I think removal of these bars would make it easier to back without the added resistance the bars put on my truck and the trailer frame. There is so much popping and creeking going on when I back, I think I will start removing them before hand.
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2015 Jayflight 23MB, 2007 Ford F150
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05-07-2015, 04:30 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Souderton, PA
Posts: 130
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It just depends if your bar has a small length of travel. The equalizers have a very long travel But you can still bend the bar retaining pin. Other types have much less travel and are more susceptible to damage. It is best practice to remove for sharper backing up.
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05-07-2015, 04:36 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Fort Wayne
Posts: 1,271
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I remove my sway bar but not my equalizers
__________________
2011 F250 King Ranch Crew Cab Diesel , 2015 Jayco Eagle 338 rets
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05-07-2015, 06:34 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: pottsgrove
Posts: 194
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I remove mine every time ... after my wife reminds me
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2013 23B
2001 Tahoe
Sold 2005 Fleetwood Allegiance
Sold 1999 Durango
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05-07-2015, 07:15 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: The Mitten
Posts: 459
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With the older friction style sway bars, yes, disconnect it. Can't explain the difference in physics for backing vs forward. What I can say is I was with my father in law once and he forgot to, made a backing turn (nothing extreme) and we heard a loud bang. Turns out it was the little ball that WAS on tongue to hold sway bar had blown off. Always heard about it but this is he first and only time I have experianced this.
UPC
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2013 F-350 SRW 6.7 Powerstroke
2015 Jayco HT 29.5BHDS
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