sway bar for towing a trailer

[Dean and Buster]

Rob, the one you linked has an 1000 pound minimum tongue weight...which is too heavy.

I think we have a bit of a cross-connect.

Aren't we talking about a small cargo trailer with a tongue weight of about 200 pounds more or less?

:huh:

yes 6x12 cargo trailer nothing in it yet

 

[tx2sturgis]

Here is my rig, E250 Ford cargo van, standard length, 6x12 cargo trailer.

No WD or sway bar, it pulls fine.

With the motorcycle, all gear, fluids, food, and supplies aboard the van and trailer, with a 150# generator on the tongue.

Cargo weight total on the trailer is probably around 1000 pounds, trailer weighs about 900 empty...so total weight (1900) is way less than half of the van weight, which is about 6000 pounds.

 

[Dean and Buster]

Here is my rig, E250 Ford cargo van, standard length, 6x12 cargo trailer.

No WD or sway bar, it pulls fine.

With the motorcycle, all gear, fluids, food, and supplies aboard the van and trailer, with a 150# generator on the tongue.

Cargo weight total on the trailer is probably around 1000 pounds, trailer weighs about 900 empty...so total weight (1900) is way less than half of the van weight, which is about 6000 pounds.



great 

 

[SoulRaven]

I am not sure about the minimum tongue weight , mine is much less than 1000lbs. Best to check with etrailer. Mine is an equalizer but the twin to the curt.


I'm out of it.

 

[tx2sturgis]

Hey Rob, I agree, 100% about using WD and sway control on bumper-pull travel trailers...

In fact, one of my good friends bought a large toyhauler and I TOLD him he needed a WD hitch, but he said nah...

The he took it on a 500 mile trip.

First thing he did when he got back was to go buy a $600 WD hitch.

Live and learn!

 

[Dean and Buster]

Hey Rob, I agree, 100% about using WD and sway control on bumper-pull travel trailers...

In fact, one of my good friends bought a large toyhauler and I TOLD him he needed a WD hitch, but he said nah...

The he took it on a 500 mile trip.

First thing he did when he got back was to go buy a $600 WD hitch.

Live and learn!

so true tx2sturgis

 

[Dean and Buster]

I want to thank everybody for the in put to my post I feel this is important to all new cargo trailer dwellers
there are no stupid questions in life

 

[jimindenver]

Honestly if you have not bought the trailer, buy one with brakes. Your sphincter will thank you at some point in the future. You may not need sway control or a equalizer hitch but I certainly would not want my nose riding high.

 

[SoulRaven]

Dean and Buster, you've gotten opinions from novice's like me and from people who are more experienced and more versed in what is safe. I know I did basic research and it was not nearly enough, I did not ask on the forum, I just figured I could deal with it as I went along. I was wrong. Only by the grace of whatever god or gods you believe in did I not kill or injure someone or myself. I sometimes joke about spinning out in the middle of I-10 during morning rush hour and doing so with no injuries but I was lucky.

If you call etrailer and speak to them I have found them honest and knowledgeable, you can spend the 3000 dollars needlessly on a really fancy and complicated hitch or you may not need one at all. Your call.

Whatever your comfort level is go for it. But at least go informed.

 

[Dean and Buster]

Honestly if you have not bought the trailer, buy one with brakes. Your sphincter will thank you at some point in the future. You may not need sway control or a equalizer hitch but I certainly would not want my nose riding high.

I just went over to his wifes house  to pay my respects and he got a tandem axel so it does have breaks and I hope this is good

 

[tx2sturgis]

spinning out in the middle of I-10 during morning rush hour and doing so with no injuries but I was lucky.

Dang...yeah this would make one very skittish....I understand your position now.

I assume no sway bar or WD hitch in use at the time.

Was this a travel trailer or a cargo trailer?

 

[SoulRaven]

it was an 18 ft Travel trailer. JiminDenver and pnolans came and helped out. It was loaded wrong and hitch was too high. Blocked the three middle lanes of I-10 during mid morning traffic and didn't hit anyone or be hit.

 

[Dean and Buster]

Dang...yeah this would make one very skittish....I understand your position now.

I assume no sway bar or WD hitch in use at the time.

Was this a travel trailer or a cargo trailer?

yes it was it pulled like crap on my truck back in the 90'

 

[Dean and Buster]

it was an 18 ft Travel trailer. JiminDenver and pnolans came and helped out. It was loaded wrong and hitch was too high. Blocked the three middle lanes of I-10 during mid morning traffic and didn't hit anyone or be hit.

that's scarry

 

[Dean and Buster]

Dang...yeah this would make one very skittish....I understand your position now.

I assume no sway bar or WD hitch in use at the time.

Was this a travel trailer or a cargo trailer?

this is a cargo trailer and it is tandem

 

[SoulRaven]

I was very light in the front of the trailer, I had just bought it. It had nothing in it and was riding a bit nose high. I had had a couple of small sways but always got them back under control. The one that spun me was aided by a high crosswind. 

After the installation of the weight distribution hitch with a one point sway bar I had no issues and the winds from New Mexico to Pecos Texas were between 20 and 30 MPH. 

Properly set up I may not have needed a sway bar and hitch. I'll never know. Got one now and use it always. 

 

[Dean and Buster]

I was very light in the front of the trailer, I had just bought it. It had nothing in it and was riding a bit nose high. I had had a couple of small sways but always got them back under control. The one that spun me was aided by a high crosswind. 

After the installation of the weight distribution hitch with a one point sway bar I had no issues and the winds from New Mexico to Pecos Texas were between 20 and 30 MPH. 

Properly set up I may not have needed a sway bar and hitch. I'll never know. Got one now and use it always. 

not good

 

[tx2sturgis]

this is a cargo trailer and it is tandem

Ok, a tandem trailer WILL have electric brakes.

You will also need a brake controller on the van. Do not pull this trailer very far without a controller except maybe to get it home a short distance. Much better to go get a brake controller installed first.

You will need to check the battery on the tongue, there should be one for the break-away safety circuit. Also buy a set of rubber wheel chocks or tandem locks.

 

[Cammalu]

Busted axle will also get that big sway going. Happened to me!!!!

 

[Dean and Buster]

Ok, a tandem trailer WILL have electric brakes.

You will also need a brake controller on the van. Do not pull this trailer very far without a controller except maybe to get it home a short distance. Much better to go get a brake controller installed first.

You will need to check the battery on the tongue, there should be one for the break-away safety circuit. Also buy a set of rubber wheel chocks or tandem locks.

thanks for the much needed info