junmy3
Warner Robins GA
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I went with a friend of mine to pick up his new TT. During the PDI, he was told that while raining he should remove his sway bar because if it got wet could stick. This is the first time that I have ever heard that. Is there any truth to it.
Also during my PDI, I was told to hand tighten the sway bar as much as I can. He was told to lightly tighten it and then back off a little. I am not sure if the brand makes a difference, but I have a Husky sway bar and my friend has a Reese Sway Bar. Thanks
Jim & Junnie
2005 Sunline Solaris T-2553
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jmcnab
Toronto Ontario Canada
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I've heard this too but have driven thousands of miles in the rain and SNOW and have never loosened up the sway control.
02 Yukon Denali XL
08 KZ Spree 324BHS
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junmy3
Warner Robins GA
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Snow was mentioned as well as rain, but snow is not much a consideration here in Middle Georgia.
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Hornet28BHDS
Parker, PA
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I've never loosened the sway bar while driving in rain. I would think then you would need it more so than when the roads are dry. I tighten my Reese bar as tight as I can and then back off a quarter turn.
2006 Hornet 28BHDS-Bunk House, Dual Slides
2006 Dodge Ram 2500 HD
5.7L Hemi, Factory Towing Package
Reese Brake Controller, WD Hitch and Sway Bar
Life is short, why not spend it in an RV!
SPRING HAS SPRUNG!
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samsontdog
Sac. Ca summer, Yuma Az winter
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jmcnab wrote:I've heard this too but have driven thousands of miles in the rain and SNOW and have never loosened up the sway control.
Same as above
samsontdog 
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grantster
Beautiful British Columbia, Canada
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if we were to remove our sway bars every time it rained here in Vancouver, they'd never be used...
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Terryallan
NC
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It is in the instructions that came with it. Reason is. The sway bar can cause the TV to not turn when the roads are slick. It is nothing more than 2 brake pads on a slide. It tries not to slide. So if it can overcome the input from the steering wheels. It will / can cause the TV to go straight instead of turn.
The instructions also say to tighten the handel till the threads bottom out. The handel is a on off tool. It does not set the sway bar tightness. That is done with a seperate bolt, under the handel.
The trailer should not sway without the sway bar. It is for controling sway once it starts. Not to prevent it from happening. It is really for those emergency manuvering situations. when someone does something stupid in front of you, and you have to dodge them. Or those times when you have a flat, or other sudden movement.
Follow the instructions that came with it. Don't rely on what others say to do. They won't be there when something happens.
I loosten my handel a couple of rounds in the rain.
Terry & Shay
Pioneer 23T6
04 F150, 5.4, Lariat SuperCab
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pacificnw
Great Northwest
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grantster wrote:if we were to remove our sway bars every time it rained here in Vancouver, they'd never be used...
Ditto that
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Pete D
Washington
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Joined: 11/19/2005
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The real reason is that when the friction bar slips to a new position, it takes an equal amount of force for it to slip back to where the trailer is again following the tow vehicle.
If the second slip occurs on a slightly slipperier surface than the first slip, the trailer may skid instead. The friction bar manufacturers believe that this is likely enough to happen that they put a warning in the instructions. Reese's warnings are below.
One uses such a device at one's own risk. If the weather is such that one would always be disconnecting it, one should question why one bought the device in the first place - Would one buy tires that said 'Do not use on slippery surfaces'? There is an accident thread open right now on this site that may have been caused by the owner tightening his friction sway control instead of loosening it....
YMMV!! Ya pays yer money and ya takes yer choice!
Here's what the people who made it say:
QUOTE FROM THE REESE PDF FOR FRICTION SWAY CONTROL:
1.SWAY CONTROL CANNOT BE USED ON TRAILERS WITH SURGE BRAKES.
2.Trailer loading: Proper trailer loading is your first-line defense against dangerous instability and sway. Heavy items should be placed on the floor in front of the axle. The load should be balanced side-to-side and secured to prevent shifting. Tongue weight should be about 10-15 percent of gross trailer weight for most trailers. Too low apercentage of tongue weight can cause sway. Load the trailer heavier in front.
3. The handle (5) is an on/off device. The bolt (7) below is for adjustment only.
4. When towing during slippery conditions such as wet, icy, or snow-covered roads or on loose gravel, turn on/off handle (5) counterclockwise until all tension is removed from unit. Failure to do so could prevent tow vehicle and trailer from turning properly.
5. Do not speed up if sway occurs. Sway increases with speed. Do not continue to operate a swaying vehicle. Check trailer loading, sway control adjustment, and all other equipment, until the cause of sway has been determined and corrected.
6. Never paint or lubricate slide bar (6).
END QUOTE
1998 Ranger 4.0 4x4
1991 Scamp 13'
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Pete D
Washington
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Here's the accident thread; judge for yourownself:
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseac........d/tid/21462709/srt/pa/pging/1/page/1.cfm
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