Friction Bar Sway Controller for a Trailer Towed by a 1997 Chevy Suburban 1500

Question:

I have a 16ft x 7 utility trailer that i normally pull with my 02 F 350 Ford and believe me with that truck you dont know the trailer is back there, however , i purchased a 97 surburban 1500 LT 4/4 as a back up plan and now I am having to use it and of course pulling the trailer with this truck is a little different. I know where i can get a used sway bar kit for 200.00 but i sayw this Friction Sway Control Kit for 54.95 on your website and it might do the trick. Money for me now is a premium so i have to make it count. I pull the trailer every day , again mostly with my big F 350 but for at least the next week i will be pulling it with surburban and the wind and trucks are a little scary. Will this do the trick . This is my living as I own a snyders lance snack route so please tell me what your honest opinion is .

asked by: Randy M

Expert Reply:

If sway is an issue then using just a friction bar sway control unit like # 83660 is going to help. However if the trailer weighs over 6,000 pounds OR it is longer than 26 feet you would need 2 for it to be an effective sway control method.

This sway control bar bolts to the trailer and includes the balls needed. What you will need to add is a sway control bracket, # RP26003, for the small ball to rest on the truck side. I have included a link to an installation video for you and a link to an FAQ on weight distribution and sway control.

The best option is going to be a weight distribution system with built in sway control. I will be happy to make a recommendation but I would need to know the tongue weight of the trailer when loaded and ready to tow plus the weight of anything loaded behind the rear axle of the towing vehicle. I have included a link to an FAQ that explains how to measure for tongue weight.

expert reply by: Michael H