How Tight Should Bar Style Friction Sway Control Be

Question

Question:

I took off both the top handle on the sway control and the tension bolt at the bottom. I dont know what the preset bottom bolt was so I have to start from scratch. How tight should everything be? When the lever is engaged is it completely tight where it cant be tightened more? Does it tighten all the way to the plate behind it? It seems as though it could be so tight the sway bar wouldnt move or it might rip off? There is a lot of information up to the time of adjustment then none.

asked by: Mike

0

Expert Reply:

You won't see too much information on how tight to make a bar style friction sway control unit because it will be different for every situation. You would make it about as tight as you think it needs to be and then tow the trailer to see if it needs to be tighter or looser.

If you made it as tight as you can then you would not be able to move the bar by hand but the force of the trailer pushing it around can move it. But if it is too tight then it is possible that something could get damaged.

expert reply by: Michael H

0

Answer 1

A friction type sway control unit like the Curt #17200 should be adjusted so that it is not easy to move by hand, but still can be moved by the greater force from the moving trailer. You will need to do some road testing to find the correct…

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Answer 2

I recommend the Buyers Products Ultra Bright LED Flood Light in either 4,050 Lumens #3371492190 or 9,000 Lumens #3371492196, to replace the halogen lights on your Haulmark Race Enclosed Trailer. You will want to verify the fitment for these as I am…

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Answer 3

If the trunnion bars on the Strait-Line Weight Distribution System like part #RP66083 come off during sharp turns then the lift brackets are not in the correct positions. There are two ways to install these lift brackets, with the included set screw…

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Answer 4

Extremely sharp turns like jack-knifing can result in the tension bar coming off of the dual cam completely on the Reese Strait-Line Weight Distribution Systems. The strait line system is designed for the spring bar to lift up off of the cam to allow…

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Answer 5

You said you estimate the tongue weight to be somewhere between 800 and 1,100 lbs. Most of the time we find that the tongue weight will actually be around 12 percent and then you add the weight of any cargo being carried behind the rear axle of the…

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Answer 6

The handle is actually the on/off switch for the unit and the bolt under the handle is the tension adjustment bolt. You will need to turn the On/Off handle clockwise (tighter) until the handle will stay firmly in place parallel with the main body of…

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Answer 7

On a weight distribution system that has spring bars hanging from chains, once you engage the spring bars and lower the jack the chains will be tight. It does sound like some adjustments need to be made though since you should have about 5 chain…

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Answer 8

With friction sway control like #17200 you know it is too loose if the trailer is still swaying. If it is too tight then when you turn it will make a lot of noise (some noise is common) and it may get damaged when you turn. Start out moderately tight…

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Answer 9

We'll typically recommend folks start with a rear anti-sway bar which will solve handling problems the majority of the time. For your 36 foot 2002 Workhorse chassis, use the #RM-1259-109. If your motorhome follows ruts in the pavement, you'd…

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Answer 10

The order of support and stabilization I recommend is to first add the Rear Anti-Sway bar, then the Front Anti-Sway, then the Steering Stabilizer. Next use the Rear Helper Springs followed by the Front Helper Springs. To give you my recommendations,…

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Answer 11

For your NEO NMS2685TR with the enclosed V-nose, the Reese Friction Sway Control Kit #83660 is the best option. Because of the length of your trailer, two are recommended. You can use the Reese Sway-Control Bracket for 2" Ball Mounts #RP26003…

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Answer 12

My contact at Reese mentioned that the Reese Friction Sway Control Kit #83660 you were looking at can be installed on a trailer with an aluminum frame, but only if the trailer manufacturer is OK with the installation due to it requiring you to drill…

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How Tight Should Bar Style Friction Sway Control Be

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