Fix the Fundamentals First!
If your rig sways or seems to be on the verge of swaying, don't add a friction anti-sway bar, fix the problem that exists -- The anti-sway bar can be a good thing to add for added protection AFTER your rig is fine-tuned in terms of
weight distribution and balance based on *scale* measurements -- OR it can be a 'band-aid over gangrene', masking the problem and letting you get really deep into fundamental sway territory before it suddenly doesn't work and bites you in the butt!
There are basically three kinds of sway:
That induced by wind or passing trucks; and,
That induced by changing direction relatively quickly; and,
That induced by a combination of
weight imbalance and speed.
The first is usually the one noticed by inexperienced trailer pullers, but the second and third are the ones that will put you in the ditch or opposing lanes of traffic -- The third may exist and be precipitated by the first or second, esp under slippery road conditions.
When using a friction anti-sway bar, be sure to follow manufacturer's instructions and loosen or disconnect it when driving on slippery road surfaces like rain, snow, ice or gravel. HUH? DISCONNECT it when SLIPPERY??? Yes, because it can easily make things worse, not better.
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 a percentage 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
I can't empathize enough how important it is to get the actual weights of tow vehicle and trailer, all loaded, fueled, and ready for the road (because that's how we do it in the real world, not just taking so fuzzy "dry weight" figures from the manufacturers and adding estimates of the gear, food, liquids and options that we've added to both) and then setting it all up so the proper tongue weight range is reached. It's a bit of trouble in the beginning, but won't change much after that.
There's a whole bunch of information archived in the Links and Files Sections of the Yahoo Scampers Group that applies to most of our eggs, not just the Scamps -- Drawback is that one needs to be a member of Yahoo and also of the Group to access them but the good news is membership is free (I recommend NOT signing up to have posts and digests sent to your email address, rather just access the Messages Board on line if desired or ignored if also desired) -- Here're the URLs for the towing and sway resource links and files:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/scampers/lin...g_001187827197/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/scampe...FAQ/Anti-Sway/
Lots of other good Yahoo Groups with RV information, including things like Internet by Cell Phone, Internet by Satellite, etc.