What is the Purpose of Spacer Plate Included in Curt Friction Sway Control Part # 17200

Question

Question:

what on earth is the point of the space plate and the 8 screws for the spacer plate when only four are holding the ball onto the frame? Why weaken the frame more with 4 useless holes.

asked by: Phil M

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Expert Reply:

I spoke with my contact at Curt and was told that the spacer plate included in the Curt Friction Sway Control for Weight Distribution Systems # 17200 serves as a reinforcement plate for the trailer side ball. It can be put under the ball or on the inside of the tongue for a backing plate to help the trailer tongue with the force being put on it. It is longer to give the unit more strength.

The plate can also be installed if achieving proper alignment is needed. The plate is only 1/8 inches thick, so it will not do a great deal, but if the trailer side ball needs to mount a bit further out, the plate can be used for this purpose. The additional holes on the plate are for added adjustability as to where the ball can be positioned on the spacer plate.

I have attached a couple of video demonstrations and the installation details of this product for your review.

expert reply by: Chris R

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Answer 1

All weight distribution systems will make noise. Some more than others. Those that use friction sway control like what you are describing do make more noise. On friction systems where the sway control is built in the wet weather isn't an issue.…

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Answer 2

I spoke to my contact at Curt and he said that if you were short or long on the #17200 install by like 1/4 of an inch you would probably be okay, but any more than that and you would have problems. If you go too long it will come apart on a sharp…

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Answer 3

The Curt Friction Sway Control #17200 can be mounted on either side of the trailer frame. The friction bar will mount upside down when installed on the other side of the trailer. The friction arm includes all the necessary hardware and components…

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Answer 4

I spoke to my contact at Curt and he informed me that there really isn't a factory preset tension that the #17200 will have. But in your case for a great starting point you will want to loosen the tension bolt till it no longer makes contact with…

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Answer 5

If using a friction style trailer anti-sway control mechanism such as #17200 it is necessary to release the tension on the arm, or better yet, disconnect it completely from the sway control balls on the hitch and trailer. For many maneuvers releasing…

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Answer 6

It is not necessary to grease the small balls used by friction sway control units such as #17200. But it also would not hurt anything and having some lubrication is definitely better than none. Two units are recommend for trailers over 26 feet and/or…

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Answer 7

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 8

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 9

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

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Answer 10

I did some checking and the hub/drum we offer that will work for you is the part #8-430-5UC3. This uses the same bearings as the 8-415 and will be an exact fit aside from the fact this is a non-ABS setup and the 8-415 came in an ABS setup and non-ABS…

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Answer 11

Hey Richard, thanks for reaching out! The Dexter DX7.5 Drop-N-Go Brake Actuator #099-175-00 is a great option for a replacement actuator because it's a direct replacement for the common Model 60 actuators that were popular in the '90s.…

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Answer 12

If you just need a 4-pin to 7-pin trailer wiring adapter, then you can use part #C57672. This will plug into the 4-pin trailer connector on your brother's vehicle and give him the 7-pin socket for the trailer. Keep in mind, this will only give…

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