T
The Daily Insight

Can I use 2 sway control bars

Author

Eleanor Gray

Published May 05, 2026

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.

Can you put sway control on both sides?

Expert Reply: You can install friction sway control on both sides of a trailer like the part # 17200. … Typically we recommend two sway control units when the trailer is over 26 feet long.

Can you back up with sway bars on?

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.

Should sway bars be tight?

The sway bar shouldn‘t be too compressed or overextended beyond its limits. Make sure that the sway control isn’t too close to the bumpers or the trailer frame. You can adjust the tension until the towing feels right.

Are RV sway bars worth it?

Unlike a friction sway control system, dual cam sway bars are preventative. That means they help prevent sway before it happens. … Although dual cam RV sway bars are more expensive, they are the best choice for regular RVers. If you are on the road often or have a large rig, the extra money is worth it.

Can you over tighten a sway bar?

When installing MOOG bolt style sway bar links (also called barrel lock nut), it is important to avoid overtightening the bolt. … During installation, make sure that you don’t overtighten the bolt or you could put excess stress on the stud that could cause it to break.

Do friction sway bars work?

Friction sway control bars are cost-effective but interfere with the trailer’s ability to turn, so they need to be removed when backing up or driving in slick conditions. This type of sway control is most useful for smaller towing situations as opposed to longer trailers.

Do anti sway hitches work?

Anti-sway bars use the weight of the RV to create stability. You install the bars to the vehicle’s frame and chassis. Anti-sway bars designed for a trailer’s hitch and tongue also work similarly. They help reduce the vehicle’s side-to-side motion by bracing the weight of the vehicle’s axle against the chassis.

Why does my trailer sway at high speeds?

Trailer sway can be caused by gusts of wind, or the passing of big rigs, but can also be caused by a multitude of things that you can fix yourself. 1. … Place heavier cargo at the front of the trailer, center the cargo left-to-right, and use reinforcements to tie down the cargo and prevent them from moving around.

Do you need to remove sway bar when backing up?

Expert Reply: You would only need disengage/remove the sway control bar to be able to back up when using Pro Series weight distribution system # 49570 with friction sway control bar # 83660. If you were backing up in a straight line and not turning you can keep it on.

Article first time published on

Can you reverse with weight distribution hitch?

Yes, the Equal-i-zer hitch is designed to allow you to back up and take tight turns with the hitch hooked up. … You want to make sure your hitch has a max trailer weight higher than your trailer GVWR. Some trailers won’t list a GVWR but instead an Unloaded Vehicle Weight (UVW) and Cargo Carrying Capacity (CCC).

Are trailer sway bars necessary?

Sway control or sway bar hitches are optional pieces of equipment that you can add to your camper or hitch to prevent sway. Although they’re not required, adding a sway bar will provide a much more comfortable and stable towing experience and give you peace of mind.

What is the difference between a stabilizer bar and a sway bar?

sway bars keep the two front/rear tires close to the same extension. Thus keeping the center of gravity lower, so it won’t role over on it’s side as easy. Stabilizer bars keep the caster/camber from wobling all over the place, and I don’t think are used on buggies.

Can too much tongue weight cause trailer sway?

Excessive Tongue Weight If the trailer is too heavy, it can cause the tow vehicle to squat and make the rear “squirm,” which then creates sway in the trailer. The tongue weight should be around 15% of the total weight of the trailer to avoid squat as well.

How tight should weight distribution bars be?

How Tight Should Bar Style Friction Sway Control Be 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… view full answer…

Can you put too much tension on weight distribution hitch?

Expert Reply: If you have the spring bar tension set up too high you can see ride issues. Typically it’s a very harsh ride quality but sway is possible too. The best way to pick out a weight distribution system is to base it off of the loaded tongue weight of the setup when it is loaded and ready to tow.

Why do my sway bar links keep breaking?

Because the sway bar itself is a torsional swing, the sway bar link smooths the motion transfer between the sway bar and the control arm. … Like many automotive parts, over time the sway bar links will wear out. Water intrusion that leads to rust, age, and lack of lubrication all contribute to deterioration over time.

How tight should sway bar end links be?

Tighten the sway bar link nut using a combination wrench to hold the bolt head and a torque wrench and socket to tighten the nut. Use caution when tightening the link: it only requires light torque, typically 10 to 20 foot-pounds.

Can you replace just one sway bar link?

The answer is no, however your mechanic may recommend replacing both sway bar links because both links usually wear at the same rate and if one is bad, the other may go soon too. … There is no need to replace a sway bar link if it’s working properly and is not worn out.

Does weight distribution hitch reduce tongue weight?

A weight distribution system will not change the tongue weight of the trailer. It just maximizes the vehicle and hitches capacities if rated for weight distribution (check the sticker on the hitch and the owners manual for your 2013 Ford F-150).

Does hitch height affect trailer sway?

If your hitch is set too high or too low, you’re going to have a hard time towing your trailer and it won’t be safe to drive. … You’ll be less aerodynamic this way and your trailer is more likely to catch the wind and begin to sway.

Does weight distribution hitch help with sway?

Weight distribution hitches offer additional features to help with sway control. Better distribution of weight reduces the up-and-down motion of a trailer, while sway control addresses the side-to-side motion. Elements like passing cars and wind can lead to your trailer swaying back and forth.

Why is my trailer bouncing?

Numerous factors can cause trailer bounce. … Improper tire pressure, oversized trailer tires, stiff suspension, improper load balance or tongue length combined with the position of the axle can all be culprits.

What is the difference between 2 point and 4 point sway control?

The original 4 point hitch has 4 friction points to reduce sway, 2 points at the trailer brackets and 2 points at the hitch head. The e2 only has 2 points of friction at the trailer brackets. The 4 point hitch will reduce sway better than the 2 point. Both will distribute the weight the same.

How do you lose tongue weight?

If you need to reduce tongue weight, move the weight further back on the trailer. Once you have your proper balance, ensure the load is also evenly distributed on the left and right sides of the trailer, and secure it to prevent it from sliding while in motion.

How do you distribute weight on a trailer?

Heavier items should be loaded in the front, with lighter, smaller items placed near the rear. If you are towing a closed trailer, the lighter, smaller items should be placed near the top of the trailer in the rear. For an open trailer, smaller items shouldn’t be loaded above the height of the sides of the trailer box.

Can you back up with Blue Ox sway pro?

One piece of equipment that you can stay connected to while backing up is the SwayPro and TrackPro from Blue Ox. Both of these products are weight distribution hitches that allow you to back up without disconnecting.

Should I grease my weight distribution bars?

According to Reese you need to lubricate the ball mount sockets, hitch ball, and spring bar trunnions. The trunnions should be lubricated daily and when in use. You need to lubricate the upper and lower trunnion pivot pins and contact area in the ball mount sockets.

Should I grease the ball on my trailer hitch?

You do not need to grease your trailer hitch ball. That is entirely up to you. However, greasing it is recommended. Greasing will help ensure that the trailer hitch ball keeps its structural integrity, and it will help prevent it from squeaking.

Does a weight distribution hitch affect turning radius?

All weight distribution systems will limit your turning radius somewhat when backing in tight situations. … It is always a good idea to remove the spring bars before backing into situations where very tight turns may be required, to prevent damage to the weight distribution system.

What size trailer need sway bars?

If however, you have a larger travel trailer that is over 6,000 pounds or longer than 26 feet, you should install a trailer sway bar to both sides of your trailer to prevent unwanted sway on your trailer.