Should 1 or 2 Bar-Style Friction Sway Control Units be Used on a 7,000 Pound Trailer

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Question:

Im confused about sway control. I have a 34ft travel trailer with weight distribution and ready to put on a reese sway contol articles i have read say you need two. Dealers say one. Pulling with a 2014 ford f150 with 11300 tow rating. Trailer empty weight 7160

asked by: Dennis

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

Basically, one friction-style sway control can be used for trailers with up to 6,000-lb GTW. If your trailer's GTW is between 6,000 lbs and 10,000 lbs, you will need two sway-control units, one on each side of the trailer. You will also want to use two units if your trailer is 26 feet or longer.

The problem is that with the higher weights or with longer trailers the friction bar style sway control unit would not be effective and you would still have a sway problem.

The Reese sway control, # 83660, is a low-cost option so using 2 of them would not be an expensive investment and it will provide functional sway control for heavier/longer trailers. I have linked a video on the Reese sway control for you and some links on weight distribution.

expert reply by: Michael H

1

Dan

6/22/2020

If you run 2 friction sway bars do you have to do anything to them? Some say you have to flip the inside around on the one on the left. Is this correct?

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Chris R.

6/25/2020

You're correct. To install the Reese Friction Sway Bar # 83660 on the left side you'll just need to remove the slide bar and reinstall it upside down. This actually isn't too difficult of a process.

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Mark C.

5/28/2021

@ChrisR I just purchased a used camper trailer which came with one Friction Sway Bar. After reading this I think I will look to add another (31' trailer with 8000 lbs GTW. However, due to wear and tear we were unable to determine which brand it is. If I were to buy another friction sway bar, would it be compatible with my current one? I am not sure if they are built different and one may "fight" the other. I guess that too would depend on if I have one tighter than the other?

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Jon G.

5/28/2021

@MarkC Getting the same brand doesn't matter. One of the most popular sway controls that we have is part # 83660. I would make sure that you have both sides adjusted as close to the same as you can get just to help make sure it is even sway control.

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Answer 1

The Roadmaster Rear Anti-Sway Bar #RM-1139-173 contains the polyurethane bushings and mounting hardware to install onto your 2017 Ford F-250. The only extra item you would need is the end link kit. The sway bar and end link kit is available in one…

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Answer 2

Between the Curt TruTrack system #C17500 and the Husky Center Line system, #HT32218, the differences are basically cosmetic. There are some slight differences in the design of various components between the systems but they function the same. The…

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Answer 3

You are correct, adding a second sway control bar, like the Curt Friction Style Sway Control, #17200, is recommended for trailers over 26 feet long. I might start out conservatively if the sway you are experiencing is not too bad, and order one sway…

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Answer 4

You can install friction sway control on both sides of a trailer like the part #17200. The only recommendation I would make is to be aware that when backing the trailer in tight situations you should probably remove the sway controls. This would be…

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Answer 5

The Husky Center Line Weight Distribution with Sway Control 32217 is for 600 lb to 800 lb total tongue weight capacities (the tongue weight of your fully loaded and ready to go trailer plus the weight of any cargo behind the rear axle of your tow…

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Answer 6

For a weight distribution system, there are always exceptions,but in general the systems with only bars and chains do not have sway control. They are adjustable in tension for different weight, but are a little more work. The bar systems whether…

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Answer 7

Thank you for all of the information! It sounds like you have the Plug-In Wiring Adapter #3015-P that's connecting the Prodigy P3 #90195 to the factory tow package port on your 2005 Chevy Silverado. From what I'm seeing it looks like that…

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Answer 8

The Lippert Sway Command #LC380605 and Tuson Electronic Sway Control System #335TSC-1000 are both similar in how they at installed since you splice them into the trailer brake circuit on the trailer side. They both have lights to help troubleshoot if…

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Answer 9

I spoke with Tekonsha who is one of the leading brake controller manufacturers and they stated that you should have no problems installing a brake controller on your 2017 Chrysler Pacifica with start/stop technology. All of the electronics within the…

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Answer 10

According to the online information I found for your 2011 Buick Enclave CXL with front-wheel-drive, the vehicle is rated for a maximum trailer weight of 2000-lbs unless it is equipped with the trailer towing package, in which case its towing capacity…

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Answer 11

The Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller #90195 referenced in your question is an excellent choice and exactly what I would have recommended. There is not a built-in brake controller port on your 2018 Buick Enclave that will allow for…

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Answer 12

I spoke with my contact at Optronics and he informed me that this Optronics Trailer Light, part #BUL78C3MB, is certified to be used as a utility light for a trailer but not as a reverse light. He said that if you were to use this as a reverse light…

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Should 1 or 2 Bar-Style Friction Sway Control Units be Used on a 7,000 Pound Trailer

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