Print Page | Close Window

Anti-Sway bars

Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Reviews and General Information
Forum Discription: Find r-pod reviews and new product announcements here
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5219
Printed Date: 28 Mar 2024 at 9:18pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: Anti-Sway bars
Posted By: rickincambridge
Subject: Anti-Sway bars
Date Posted: 27 Aug 2014 at 9:00pm
I've got a 2011 Ford Explorer with a towing package and 6,800 pound towing capacity. Do I need anti-sway bars and a different hitch installed like the R Pod dealer recommended?

-------------
rickincambridge



Replies:
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2014 at 5:45am
You are well within your tow vehicle weight limits. It will really depend on your towing experience and comfort level.
Happy Podding!!


-------------
Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171


Posted By: HuronSailor
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2014 at 9:27am
Yes, you will be fine. 

We're planning a trip to the west coast, and some friends and fellow podders who've made that trip suggested that due to potential high crosswinds we might want to add a single sway bar before crossing the mountain ranges between there and Michigan. Cost for the sway bar and hitch adapter plate was $70 delivered from eTrailer.

We've never had any serious issues with a simple bumper hitch, but after installing the sway bar, the wiggle we got in the occasional crosswind or when being passed by a semi has been eliminated. So depending on where you plan to tow, this may be something you want to consider.

With your vehicle a weight distribution hitch shouldn't be needed. I don't have one on my pickup.


-------------
.: Mark & Beth :: Silverado 5.3L :: 2018 rPod 180 :.


Posted By: Newsguy12
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2014 at 11:28am
I'm towing our 179 with a 2014 Jeep Cherokee with a 4500lb tow rating.  No need for weight distribution hitch due to low tongue weight.  Installed an anti-sway bar...and I have yet to feel any wiggle even when passing a semi.  We just towed it across I-70 from Cincinnati to the Rocky Mountains.  My favorite quote is from my wife...."Is it still back there?"

-------------
Ram 1500
5.7L V-8 Hemi
2015 R-Pod 179


Posted By: Outbound
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2014 at 1:56pm
Need anti-sway?  No.  I towed my r-pod for almost 2 years without a sway bar.  However, after one particularly long, gusty/windy drive with the trailer fishtailing behind me, I decided that a sway bar might be a good idea.  It really was; I now won't go without anti-sway.  Honestly, it does make driving much more relaxed.

Now, weight distribution may be a different story.  Check the spec on your r-pod (different models have different tongue weights) and on your truck (you are aware that tongue weight and tow capacity are different things, right?).  If you're close (or over), definitely get a WDH.


-------------
Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150


Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2014 at 8:52pm
My story is the same as Outbound's - about 2 years w/o anything until one very windy day.  At the time I had a Sienna so I took care of 2 problems and got a WDH that includes sway control.  A world of difference in ride quality with the WDH acting as an additional suspension system.  When I moved to my current TV I tried half a trip w/o and half a trip with my WDH and have always used it since.  Still rides better with it.

-------------
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual


Posted By: Trinityfly
Date Posted: 18 Oct 2014 at 1:36pm
Just picked up my 179 and drove it the 50 miles home. Dealer said I wouldn't need weight distrubution or anti sway. After reading the above info I am def thinking about getting anti sway. Advice would be welcome

Tow vehicle is a 2011 Toyota Tundra 4.6 V8 with factory tow package

What do you all think? How much should I pay?

Thanks in advance
 


-------------
Joe and Diane, pups Jenny and Tyke. RPod named Lilly.
Alive and well deep in the toolies of Norther Calif


Posted By: Outbound
Date Posted: 18 Oct 2014 at 2:31pm
I've got a Husky friction sway bar.   http://www.huskytow.com/product/sway-control/%20 - http://www.huskytow.com/product/sway-control/ .  But there's one from Reese thats essentially the same.

Purchased it from my local dealer (Campkins in Whitby) for about $80.  Most any dealer who sells small trailers (e.g. popup/tent trailers) will carry them.  The install was reasonably simple: I had to drill 6 holes in my trailer tongue for self-tapping screws - I recommend a titanium bit to make it easier.  Also, I had to have a metal tab (included with the sway bar) welded to my hitch - which my dealer was able to do for $20 cash.  Note that friction bars are left-sided or right-sided, so make sure you have the tab welded (and drill those mounting holes) on the correct side.

-------------
Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150


Posted By: Budward
Date Posted: 18 Oct 2014 at 5:20pm
Here is the one I use-   it is on sale for $29.99 (normally $34.99) and if you look you can find a 20% off coupon pretty easily.
It is universal- can be mounted left or right.

http://www.harborfreight.com/trailer-sway-control-kit-96462.html - http://www.harborfreight.com/trailer-sway-control-kit-96462.html


-------------
2014 179
Towed by a 2015 Ford Transit Diesel
Supervised by a German/Aussie mix and a Labradoodle!


Posted By: NormanHill
Date Posted: 27 Oct 2014 at 9:46pm
Get the sway control. One side should be fine for the pod. The need for a WD hitch depends on how big your vehicle is compared to the trailer. My F150 didn't need WD, but after experiencing some sway from these single axle trailers I'm now a believer in adding it. 


Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 28 Oct 2014 at 6:54am
whats the dif between left or right side..........strictly preference?  hogone

-------------
Jon & Pam
2013 RP177
2010 F150
2017 HD Streetglide
2009 HD Lowrider
CHEESEHEAD


Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 28 Oct 2014 at 9:18am
Left side makes it easier for the driver to remove it before backing up, which is a reqirement for the stand-alone friction sway bars.

-------------
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual


Posted By: 2McPods
Date Posted: 02 Nov 2014 at 2:22pm
Originally posted by techntrek

My story is the same as Outbound's - about 2 years w/o anything until one very windy day.  At the time I had a Sienna so I took care of 2 problems and got a WDH that includes sway control.  A world of difference in ride quality with the WDH acting as an additional suspension system.  When I moved to my current TV I tried half a trip w/o and half a trip with my WDH and have always used it since.  Still rides better with it.

Hi Doug, what kind of WDH with sway control do you have?

Thanks


-------------
Everything Happens 4 A Reason

Pat & Viki McCartney
2015 171 {2McPods}
2014 F150
Pittsburgh, Pa


Posted By: ToolmanJohn
Date Posted: 02 Nov 2014 at 3:36pm
Originally posted by hogone

whats the dif between left or right side..........strictly preference?  hogone

The side chosen for a friction sway control mounting bracket is usually a matter of which style you bought. Mine came with the ball mount bracket that is on the passenger side of the tow bar, so right side mounting was required. My friction sway bracket only mounts one way on the tow bar, passenger side.

 If you can find one for drivers side mounting then get that one, it is easier to take off this way when you need to back up. Meh... Not a really big deal either way I guess, just a minor annoyance, unless it's pouring rain....

EDIT: Just checked on eTrailer and I could not a mounting bracket that mounts driver side. The versions they have are all passenger side mounted.


-------------
2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler
2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD)
2013 VW Touareg TDI


Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 02 Nov 2014 at 4:13pm
I bought the E2 for our pod and it worked well.  Our Salem came with a Reese Dual-Cam which is a step up but likely overkill for the pods.

-------------
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual


Posted By: sabaied@msn.com
Date Posted: 06 Nov 2021 at 2:47pm
I’m towing a 2014 182g with a Honda Pilot 3.5 6 cylinder: what brand of sway bar is recommended?

-------------
Eddy


Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 06 Nov 2021 at 5:05pm
Are you asking about sway control or weight distribution hitches or both? These serve totally different functions but ppl are often confused because the functions can come combined in a single device.

All weight distribution hitches pretty much do the same thing in slightly different ways. Their purpose is to counter the leverage of the trailer tongue pushing down on the hitch which lifts the front axle of the tow vehicle up. This makes the front axle light and adds more than the tongue weight to the rear axle. I would get an 800-1000 lb rated wdh as it has to lift both the tongue weight and the weight of stuff in the rear of the TV.

The purpose of sway control is to limit how much the trailer can twist side to side around the tow ball. This can be accomplished by adding friction to that rotational movement or by electronically activating the trailer brakes when sway in detected and before it gets bad. Your choice which way you want to go. If you choose friction   you can get that built in to the weight distribution hitch or separate. The built in approach is faster to install and remove, the separate friction sway control allows the weight distribution and sway control functions to be adjusted independently. Again it's a personal choice which way you go.

An example of an integrated wdh/sway control is the Fastway E2. Separate examples are the Reese Pro wdh and sway control. An example of electronic sway control is the Hayes system.   








-------------
1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold


Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 06 Nov 2021 at 7:33pm
I believe most anti-sway bars/friction bars are quite similar in style and function.  Since day one of owning a 177 (March 2011) a simple $40 Curt friction bar/anti-sway bar has been utilitized by an '08 and '13 Explorer as well as an '11 and currently a '17 F-150.  Many various road conditions as well as weather (snow, wind, hail, sleet) over 36,000+ miles.  Have been happy with what we have.


-------------
God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."


Posted By: Rpod-Couple
Date Posted: 06 Nov 2021 at 8:52pm
I recommend you stick with a 6000 lb weight distribution hitch. I initially used a 10,000 lb WDH on my Mazda CX9 and R-Pod 171. The CX9 is a similar size vehicle to the Pilot. The 10,000 lb WDH was too stiff and transferred every bump to my CX9. I replaced with 6000 lb spring bars and that smoothed out the ride and kept my front end level. 

I haven’t found the need for a sway bar but certainly can’t hurt.


-------------
Steve & Elaine
2021 R-pod
2023 VW Atlas Cross Sport


Posted By: Dirt Sifter
Date Posted: 07 Nov 2021 at 8:33am
Trinity, I just drove south and east from Eureka to Auburn, CA. Once I got down in the valley, the north winds were whipping and passing trucks had me a little concerned at first, but we didn't have a control problem at all. The winds took the top off my propane tank cover, but didn't bother my Rpod 195 while using a friction sway control bar. I was driving the Tundra at the time. While we probably don't need it, we use a WDH as well. Have fun!


-------------
Greg n Deb 2020 195 HRE
'07 Tundra 5.7L., '17 Tacoma 3.5L. Both with tow packages
1 Puggle, 1 Chihuahua support staff


Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 07 Nov 2021 at 9:12am
Originally posted by Rpod-Couple

I recommend you stick with a 6000 lb weight distribution hitch. I initially used a 10,000 lb WDH on my Mazda CX9 and R-Pod 171. The CX9 is a similar size vehicle to the Pilot. The 10,000 lb WDH was too stiff and transferred every bump to my CX9. I replaced with 6000 lb spring bars and that smoothed out the ride and kept my front end level. 
I haven’t found the need for a sway bar but certainly can’t hurt.



By 6000lb I think you mean a WDH designed for a 600 lb tongue weight. That is on the light side for a mid sized rpod. My 179 had a tongue weight of about 500 lbs. Adding in cargo in the TV it had to lift closer to 700 lbs. The WDH doesn't know whether it's lifing weight on the tongue or in the rear of the TV.

The spring bars are designed to handle about 2x the WDH rating, or 1200 lbs in the case of a 600 lb hitch. It's very common to get 2g bump loads which for me would be in excess of 1400 lbs, too much for a 600 lb hitch.

I had a 1000 lb rated WDH and it did not create too stiff a ride in my Highlander. I do think an 800 lb rated hitch (1600 max rating) would be the best compromise though.

Also you don't want to set up a WDH to level the tow vehicle, just to put the front axle load and height back where it was without the trailer. That results in the tongue weight being added to the rear axle, but no more, so there will still be some squat in the TV rear axle. If that is excessive then you probably have too much stuff in the back of the TV or too high tongue weight.



-------------
1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold


Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 07 Nov 2021 at 1:40pm
Originally posted by Dirt Sifter

Trinity, I just drove south and east from Eureka to Auburn, CA. Once I got down in the valley, the north winds were whipping and passing trucks had me a little concerned at first, but we didn't have a control problem at all. The winds took the top off my propane tank cover, but didn't bother my Rpod 195 while using a friction sway control bar. I was driving the Tundra at the time. While we probably don't need it, we use a WDH as well. Have fun!
Apropos the propane tank cover lid, when you get a replacement, drill a small hole in it that lines up with the holes in the hinge side that are not being used. Use one or more zip-ties through the holes to attach the lid to the cover. For a single tank, one zip-tie should suffice. For a double-tank cover, two zip-ties will be needed. That way, the lid will stay attached to the cover, even if it blows open.

-------------
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS


Posted By: Dirt Sifter
Date Posted: 07 Nov 2021 at 4:04pm
Thanks, Stephen, will do. First time in many years of trailering that I've lost one. Winds didn't seem as strong as others we've been in, but that top sure took a powder on this trip.


-------------
Greg n Deb 2020 195 HRE
'07 Tundra 5.7L., '17 Tacoma 3.5L. Both with tow packages
1 Puggle, 1 Chihuahua support staff



Print Page | Close Window

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Copyright ©2001-2009 Web Wiz - http://www.webwizguide.com