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01-20-2017, 01:07 PM
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#1
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Seasonal Camper
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Texas
Posts: 297
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Remove sway bar when backing?
About to have a Curt WD hitch with sway bar installed. Over the past month, I've had three different RVers tell me that I should removed/disconnect the sway bar when I'm back up the RV.
When I mentioned this to the hitch installer this week, he said he'd had a few other folks mention that to him but he's never had a problem with the sway bar when backing, citing his 30 years of towing experience.
What are your thoughts on this? Remove/disconnect the sway bar when backing or just leave it alone?
__________________
Jeff & Laurie -- Full timing in Rockport, Texas
Auggie (our beer-loving English Cocker Spaniel)
Angus (55 pounds of attitude in a 5 pound chihuahua body)
Our home base -- 2018 Grand Design Solitude 375RES -- The "Uno Mas!"
The mobile office -- 2016 Crossroads Hill Country HCT26RB -- The "Poquito Mas!"
Gone but not forgotten: 2015 Heartland Landmark 365 Key West (lost to Hurricane Harvey)
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01-20-2017, 01:39 PM
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#2
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: SC
Posts: 679
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It isn't the backing up, it's the maneuvering. If you're just backing up a few feet, straight, i.e. to clear an obstruction ahead (like some guy pulled into the gas pump in front of you, and it looks like he will be in the bathroom for a while), then no problem, just have a spotter, and move straight back a few feet.
The problem and advice comes when you are trying to back into your spot, or turn around in a tight spot. Those types of maneuvers where you are going from lock to lock on the steering column. This is where the sway bar could get in the way, and possible break, or do damage. For the easy, i.e. 1/2-turn back into a slanted back-in spot, I normally do not remove the bar.
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Marty and Martha
2015 Z-1 211RD
2012 Nissan Titan
Dalzell SC
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01-20-2017, 01:57 PM
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#3
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Belle River , Ontario
Posts: 1,753
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When I had the friction sway bar on previous trailers , I never removed it . When I did pull into a campground ,after checking in ,I would loosen it (if I remembered) as the sway prevention was not necessary. If it is installed correctly it will be able to turn pin to pin. Plus it does not know forward from reverse...just in case somebody tells you to only remove in reverse.
On one vacation with 6 consecutive nights getting there ,I never even unhooked the trailer .Never even loosened the sway and they were pull thru and back in sites.
__________________
It was a rainy few days at Algonquin Prov park...tarps kept us dry.
Wayne --Belle River (Windsor), Ontario
2013 Sunset Trail Reserve 25RB..(just sold it)
2015 White Chev Silverado 2500HD 4x4 (6.0 l gasser)
2003 Mountain Star 890SBRX Truck Camper
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01-20-2017, 01:58 PM
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#4
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Nv
Posts: 628
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MartyinSC
It isn't the backing up, it's the maneuvering. If you're just backing up a few feet, straight, i.e. to clear an obstruction ahead (like some guy pulled into the gas pump in front of you, and it looks like he will be in the bathroom for a while), then no problem, just have a spotter, and move straight back a few feet.
The problem and advice comes when you are trying to back into your spot, or turn around in a tight spot. Those types of maneuvers where you are going from lock to lock on the steering column. This is where the sway bar could get in the way, and possible break, or do damage. For the easy, i.e. 1/2-turn back into a slanted back-in spot, I normally do not remove the bar.
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Steve & Sue
2017 Grand Design 297RSTS Travel Trailer
2017 Ford F-350 Lariat Crew Cab diesel 6.7 SW LB 11,500 lb GVWR package
Former: Crossroads ST26RB
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01-20-2017, 02:17 PM
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#5
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Seasonal Camper
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Texas
Posts: 297
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OK, thanks, all. 
__________________
Jeff & Laurie -- Full timing in Rockport, Texas
Auggie (our beer-loving English Cocker Spaniel)
Angus (55 pounds of attitude in a 5 pound chihuahua body)
Our home base -- 2018 Grand Design Solitude 375RES -- The "Uno Mas!"
The mobile office -- 2016 Crossroads Hill Country HCT26RB -- The "Poquito Mas!"
Gone but not forgotten: 2015 Heartland Landmark 365 Key West (lost to Hurricane Harvey)
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01-22-2017, 08:24 PM
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#6
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Normal
Posts: 639
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When I had my travel trailer, I always loosened the friction sway controller prior to backing into a spot...just my two cents....
__________________
2015 Rushmore Springfield
Disc Brake upgrade, Goodyear G614 tire upgrade
RV FLEX-ARMOR roof, Mor-Ryde IS suspension
2017 F350 Dually 4x4 6.7 Bronze Fire
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01-22-2017, 09:55 PM
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#7
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: SC
Posts: 679
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gossamar
When I had my travel trailer, I always loosened the friction sway controller prior to backing into a spot...just my two cents....
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Doing that also makes for a more quiet parking job. The friction bar wants to moan and groan a lot!😀
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