Controlling the sway is extremely important for a safe and stable drive, especially when towing a large travel trailer with your truck. Without a sway bar or sway kit, you may encounter some serious accidents because of the uncontrollable movement of your travel trailer.
In this article, I will discuss the significance of a sway bar and enlist some of the best sway bars you can purchase for your travel trailer. But, let me tell you about the trailer sway first.
What is Trailer Sway?
Before we go into the details of a sway bar, it is necessary to tell you what trailer sway is. Trailer sway can be defined as a mechanical phenomenon in which the travel trailer rotates left and right on its axle, at the same time that it’s moving down the road.
When Do You Need a Sway Bar?
Sway bar can be a very handy addition to the travel trailers. For instance, if you own a bigger travel trailer, then that’s when you will need a sway bar. Also, if it’s the windy condition then you must need this with your TT.
If you are driving through the highway that is having big trucks passing by or also if the roads have cautioned of high wind then your TT and truck need a sway bar. This is because a bigger travel trailer has more tendency to sway as compared to the smaller ones.
How Does the Sway Bar Help to Control Sway?
One most important question that I would like to answer is how a sway bar helps control sway.
A sway bar comprises two sides. One of its sides locks onto the ball on the hitch of the truck while the other locks onto the ball on the tongue of the travel trailer. By keeping these two parts difficult to move in and out, this bar prevents your travel trailer and truck from swaying.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Choosing Sway Bar for Travel Trailer:
Purchasing a sway bar for your travel trailer can be quite tricky because numerous sway bars are available in the market, all of which are of different quality and specifications. If you keep these things mentioned below in your mind, I guarantee you will be able to get the right one for your travel trailer.
- Connecting and disconnecting the bar is easy
- Its size is according to the size recommended in the owner’s manual of your truck and travel trailer
- It is equipped with adjustable tension bars
- It has an improved friction bar design
- The bar allows you to back your trailer up without disengaging
- Choose a sway bar that flexes and can absorb shock
Best Sway Bar for Travel Trailer
Position | Preview | Name | Price |
1. |  | Pro Series 83660 Value Friction Sway Control |  |
2. |  | CURT 17200 Trailer Anti-Sway Bar Control Kit | |
3. |  | EAZ LIFT 0224.2014 Screw-On Sway Control, Right Mounted Passenger Side | |
4. |  | EAZ LIFT Screw-On Sway Control, Left-Mounted Driver Side | |
5. |  | Husky 34715 Right Handed Adjustable Sway Control Kit | |
1. Pro Series 83660 Value Friction Sway Control
Despite not having a trailer rating, this controller has a good quality and is sturdy built. It comes with everything that is required for installation, including the manual.
This sway controller slows the side-to-side movement of the trailer depending on how much you tighten the tension screw. A great thing about this controller is that you can use it on the left side and right side as well.
On the negative side, it is flimsy, stiff, and produces a really loud noise. Likewise, you will have to remove it while you back up your travel trailer. See the latest price here.
2. CURT 17200 Trailer Anti-Sway Bar Control Kit
This is one of the best anti-sway bars available. This sway controller can either be used by itself or paired with a weight-distribution hitch for maximum sway control. It is easy to install and best of all it is available at a relatively low price.
Apart from its pros, it also has some cons. Firstly, their customer service is non-existent. Secondly, the bolts are of low quality and strip easily. Lastly, it can’t fit all trailers with an A-frame tongue. See the latest price here.
3. EAZ LIFT 0224.2014 Screw-On Sway Control, Right Mounted Passenger Side
This sway bar from EAZ LIFT has a rugged and sturdy construction. It reduces the sway up to 80% – 90%. Although it is said to be one of the best, it still has some problems, e.g., it squeaks while turning, bolts shears off, and has to be removed before backing up. See the latest price here.
4. EAZ LIFT Screw-On Sway Control, Left-Mounted Driver Side
This product is worth the price as it comes with extra stability compared to other sway bars in the market. It is an easy-to-use item featuring an adjustable tension and an unprecedented amount of control. On the contrary, this product is side-specific and can only be used with an “A” frame. See the latest price here.
5. Husky 34715 Right Handed Adjustable Sway Control Kit
This y bar from Husky is a near-universal fit because of its adjustable length. It is a high-quality product that reduces sway and can easily take away the wobbling of your travel trailer.
Although this is a great product, the installation instructions provided by the company are vague. Moreover, it isn’t easy to loosen or tighten this sway control. See the latest price here.
Best Sway Control Hitch
Position | Preview | Name | Price |
1. |  | Equal-i-zer 4-point Sway Control Hitch | |
2. |  | Fastway e2 2-Point Sway Control Round Bar Hitch | |
3. |  | Husky 30849 Round Bar Weight Distribution Hitch with Sway Control | |
4. |  | CURT 17500 TruTrack Weight Distribution Hitch with Sway Control | |
5. |  | Fastway e2 2-Point Sway Control Trunnion Hitch | |
6. |  | Reese Integrated Sway Control Weight Distribution Kit | |
1. Equal-i-zer 4-point Sway Control Hitch
This sway control hitch is designed for trailers with tongue weights ranging from 600lbs to 1200lbs and up to 12,000lbs of gross trailer weight. It includes all the necessary hardware, so you don’t have to spend extra money purchasing anything.
It helps to prevent sway from things such as wind or large trucks passing you on the highway. The only con is that it is comparatively expensive than the one with chains. See the latest price here.
2. Fastway e2 2-Point Sway Control Round Bar Hitch
This is a comparatively better option as compared to the ones with chains. With this, you can easily backup without changing anything on this hitch. The large hitch will protect your bumper from unexpected objects when not towing.
On the contrary, the connections of the weight distribution bar are quite difficult to disconnect. Also, it rusts quickly. See the latest price here.
3. Husky 30849 Round Bar Weight Distribution Hitch with Sway Control
A great quality product from Husky that controls fishtailing and distributes the weight. With this kit, you can back up your trailer with everything on. It offers perfect sway control, especially on windy roads.
On the contrary, it is not good with heavy loads. Moreover, its retainer clips are flimsy, and the instructions to install are vague. See the latest price here.
4. CURT 17500 TruTrack Weight Distribution Hitch with Sway Control
This is a solid product designed for Class II receivers and Class III receivers equipped with Class II adapters. Its high-quality hitch assembly makes it the best one. A big advantage of this hitch with sway control is that you can back up without removing the bars.
The major problem with it is that you will have to keep it lubed. Otherwise, it will get too noisy. Also, it has large trunnion bars, which hits the trailer frame when turning sharply. See the latest price here.
5. Fastway e2 2-Point Sway Control Trunnion Hitch
This product from Fastway offers a two-point sway control and provides two positive friction points to fight sway. This high-quality kit features a heavy-duty hitch that is easy to hook up and disconnect with a power tongue jack. You can back your trailer even without taking them off.
This kit doesn’t comprise a hitch ball, so you will have to spend extra money to purchase it. Moreover, the spring bar can easily slip off in a tight turn. Also, if you are towing over uneven terrain, it will go bad. It produces a lot of noise while you turn. See the latest price here.
6. Reese Integrated Sway Control Weight Distribution Kit
Featuring an integrated sway control, this is a versatile and adjustable weight distribution kit. This versatile kit comprises thick torsion bars and prevents your trailer from swaying.
On the negative side, it has a comparatively long and heavy shank. Moreover, the paint job on the bars is extremely terrible, and also it doesn’t include a lifting handle. See the latest price here.
Different Types of Sway Control
As far as the types of sway control are concerned, there are two major types of sway control, i.e., “friction” and “dual-cam.”
One end of a flat metal bar is attached to the ball mount on the tow’s vehicle hitch in a friction device. Then a second similar bar is attached to the trailer’s frame behind the coupler. The bars then overlap with a pad of friction material, and when the trailer turns, the bars slide across each other, and the friction resists the turning action.
The dual-cam device is built into the tips of the spring bars. Whenever the trailer starts to turn away from a straight line, one of the spring bars is lifted, and the force required to lift it resists the turn and pushes the trailer back toward a straight-behind position.
How to Install a Sway Bar on a Travel Trailer?
Before I conclude this guide, I would like to tell you how you can install a sway bar on a travel trailer. Installation of a sway bar is not very difficult. All you have to do is just follow the steps given below:
- Install the ball that is included with sway bar
- Measure from the center of the ball to 24-inches back
- Mount the center of the ball on that plate at that 24-inch point on a travel trailer
- Drill holes at that point and mount the ball plate, and tighten the bolts
- Set up the ball mount side of sway bar with a clip
- Insert this side on ball mounted on the coupler
- Add the clip to secure it
- Loosen the front handle
- Place the adjustable arm on a ball that is on your hitch for sway control and tighten it down by moving the handle
- Insert the front end on the ball on the hitch that is for sway control
- Snug it up and insert a clip
Read More About: Best Weight Distribution Hitch for Travel Trailer
Conclusion
Sway bars are an important item for your travel trailer, and every person owning one should know this. If you don’t have one, don’t worry, because if you are reading this, it is not too late. This guide will help you know about the importance of a sway bar and will assist you in purchasing the best one for your trailer.