Integrated Anti-Sway vs Friction Bar Anti-Sway with Weight Distribution System

Question:

Id guess it was many years ago I purchased a Curt equalizer system with square bars. It was/is great! I recently purchased TWO anti-sway bars for a longer trailer and just realized you cant back upinch with them an am wondering if just anti-sway bars and the trailer end attachments make better sense using the original curt equalizer mount. About 600# tongue weight.

asked by: Craig M

Expert Reply:

The free-standing friction anti-sway devices like # 83660 can help control trailer sway once it has started but as you note they do NOT allow you to back up the trailer without first releasing their tension control or completely disconnecting them.

These also DO NOT provide the same anti-sway effectiveness as the weight distribution (WD) systems that have this feature built into their design. The better systems available today actually operate to prevent sway from starting, rather than simply reacting to it like the friction bars do. The systems shown on the linked page, such as the Equal-I-zer 4-Point # EQ37120ET and Reese Strait-Line # RP66083, actually work before sway starts to keep the trailer in line with the Durango.

WD systems should be selected based on your trailer's actual loaded tongue weight (TW) including the weight of any cargo behind the rear axle of the vehicle, such as a generator or loaded cooler. The actual trailer TW can best be measured using a scale like the etrailer Tongue Weight Scale # e99044. To this measured trailer TW weight add your cargo weight to get the total effective TW of the towing setup. Just click on that TW on the linked page to then see suitable options.

If your total loaded TW were actually 600-lbs then the Reese setup # RP66083 would be ideal. Just add the hitch ball, either 2-inch # A-90 or 2-5/16-inch # 19286. The goal is to have your total TW in the middle of the system's operating range. This Reese system works for TW from 400- to 800-lbs making it perfect for a 600-lb tongue weight.