Sway Bar Noise

[llinderman]

We picked up our new Scamp 4 days ago. We had Scamp install a sway bar.

Since then we've driven about 800 miles with no sway at all, even at speeds as high as 75 mph


But the sounds that come from the sway bar, especially when turning, sound like a torture chamber. Is that normal?


Larry

[tractors1]

The sway bar depends of friction to work; you might have it a bit too tight. Do NOT lubricate it!

I'd back off a bit and see how it goes. Still no wiggles when big trucks pass, you should be good.

[Glenn Baglo]

I'd slow down too.

[Byron Kinnaman]

The tires are rated for 65mph maximum. Exceeding that for any length of time is asking for a blow out.
I tow my 13' without an anti-sway bar. No problems. Anti-sway bars, at least in my opinion, will mask a problem that should be corrected.

[Jon in AZ]

I don't see a problem with using a sway bar... as long as you first establish that the trailer is stable without it under all normal towing conditions. It's meant to be an auxiliary safety device in an emergency situation.

I agree that 75 is way too fast!

[alan H]

I really hope the 75 mph is a mistype
If not please let everyone know where youre heading so we can get off the road
75mph towing a trailer ... You have to be kidding


Sent from my iPhone using Fiberglass RV

[Byron Kinnaman]

Originally Posted by Jon in AZ

I don't see a problem with using a sway bar... as long as you first establish that the trailer is stable without it under all normal towing conditions. It's meant to be an auxiliary safety device in an emergency situation.

I agree that 75 is way too fast!

The problem I see is that many people put on an anti-sway bar to correct a problem, not as an added safety device. In my opinion an anti-sway bar is dangerous in some conditions. I've never used one and travel a lot. 10K miles so far this year.

[Jim Bennett]

You all might have to stay home a lot, as I regularly see trailers being pulled at speeds near 75mph. I have done it too, as my tires (and most ST tires) are rated at 65 at the minimum rated pressure for the weight of the trailer, but if you can increase the pressure by 10 lbs without exceeding the maximum, they are rated for 75. Still, the fastest I usually travel is 110 kph (or 68 mph), the speed limit on many highways here, and only exceed that on rare occasion.
https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=h...plications.pdf

I am of the same mind as Jon, that there is no problem using sway control, but just so long as it is an assist, and not covering for a loading problem.

There really should be no excess noise though, I too would back off a bit on the friction.

[floyd]

Originally Posted by Byron Kinnaman

The tires are rated for 65mph maximum. Exceeding that for any length of time is asking for a blow out.
I tow my 13' without an anti-sway bar. No problems. Anti-sway bars, at least in my opinion, will mask a problem that should be corrected.

I see a friction sway bar as a luxury improvement.
It hides nothing. In fact I think it shows a dedication to excellence and improvement after all else has been done.

Besides , a "MASK" can sometimes really improve your game!!...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttoC1n8z9h4

[Franswa]

quite a few people around here confuse sway bars with weight distribution bars....or at least say one for the other....

I have a standard WDH that came with the trailer (no anti-sway bar or bars)...I used to hear a lot of noise back there making turns (clanging/banging) then I greased the ends of the weight distribution bars that fit inside the hitch and the noises dissapeared

made sense once I'd done it...during a turn the ends of the bars would have to rotate a little...metal on dry metal with a whole lot of torque involved...they would bind up....with a little bit of grease they don't anymore

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by Byron Kinnaman

I tow my 13' without an anti-sway bar. No problems. .

I agree but I suspect neither of us would ever tow at 75 mph either

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by floyd

I see a friction sway bar as a luxury improvement.
It hides nothing. In fact I think it shows a dedication to excellence and improvement after all else has been done.

The key words in the above are "after all else has been done"

[floyd]

Originally Posted by Carol H

The key words in the above are "after all else has been done"

Actually If "key" words must be taken out of context they might be "it shows a dedication to excellence and improvement".
It was never I who suggested that friction sway control was a band-aid. It is an effective supplement to good system.

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by floyd

It is an effective supplement to good system.

Totally agree assuming of course that ALL has in fact been done to set up the trailer to make sure it is a good system!

[gordon2]

13 replies and no one sees to have given a simple answer to the OP's original question:
Is the sound from the sway bar normal?

Now I am subscribed to the thread also to see if the question is answered since mine also makes torturous sounds when turning. I do not think it is too tight. I thought it might make less noise after it got broken in some but it seems not.

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by gordon2

13 replies and no one sees to have given a simple answer to the OP's original question:
Is the sound from the sway bar normal?

See post #2 for the answer

[floyd]

Originally Posted by Carol H

Totally agree assuming of course that ALL has in fact been done to set up the trailer to make sure it is a good system!

WORD!

[floyd]

Originally Posted by Carol H

See post #2 for the answer

OK Yes the normal design friction sway makes noise when tight and the rig is turning, this is normal and you will soon learn to ignore it.
I have an ACER which is an enclosed design with a threaded rod instead of a plate, it is a bit quieter, but I have only seen the one I have, since I got it 12 years ago.

[neparker]

I found that lubricating the balls (NOT the friction bar!) reduces some of the noise. See http://www.reeseprod.com/support/ins...ion/N26660.pdf for more info.

[Gilles]

Here is the product I use:

Husky Center Line TS | Husky Towing

I bought the Husky "Center Line TS" 400-600 books on the hitch, the smallest in this style.
It combines stabilizer and anti-sway, 2 functions in one in this system.
It is also noisy when parking, especially not to apply grease it retains dust and it's worse.
I look for a lubricant that is good but do not trap dust.