Why Can't You Back Up with Friction Sway Control Bars

Question:

Why do sway control bars not allow backing up. I dont understand the problem there. Pulling a 32 ft 34ft hitch to rear bumper, 2016 T28FQDX Shockwave Toyhauler with a 2015 Chev Silverado 3500. Hitch is an Eazy Lift, 1,000# rated tongue weight. Fully loaded trailer grosses about 12500, sways with one sway bar, thinking of putting a second one on.

asked by: Jack T

Helpful Expert Reply:

Friction sway control bars are designed to work fine going forward when turning or not but not designed to turn when backing up (backing up straight is fine). It can and likely will damage them because apparently the force being applied to them is different when going in reverse. there is some physics involved that, admittedly, is over my head.

I don't know how your EAZ-Lift system is set up but in order to use a second friction sway control bar the head on the weight distribution system will have to have the hole for the small ball on both sides of the head. If it does not you can't use a second bar. But even if you could using 2 bars would not be all that effective on a trailer weighing over 10,000 pounds.

If interested you could use a different system that does allow backing up and has a better sway control system. I recommend the Steadi-Flex, # RP66561, rated for 700 to 1,400 pounds tongue weight. The sway control is built-in, backing up is not a problem, even when turning, and the system sets up quick and easy. The only other part needed is a ball with a 1-1/4 inch diameter shank, # C40030 as an example, if you don't already have one. I have linked some videos on the Stead-Flex system for you.

If your current system is rated up to 1,000 pounds then it is possibly overloaded. Tongue weight for weight distribution is the tongue weight of the trailer when loaded and ready to tow plus the weight of anything loaded behind the rear axle of the tow vehicle. If the trailer weighs 12,500 pounds and tongue weight is typically 10 to 15 percent of the gross trailer weight then that would mean the tongue weight is 1,250 to 1,875 pounds.

expert reply by: Michael H