Can I add sway bars to existing WDH setup?

[LOIL99]

I purchased a 2008 Rockwood Roo 23SS recently and it came with a WDH setup already installed. My questions is, is there a sway bar product I can purchase that can be installed (added to) my existing WDH setup? Or do WDH/sway bar setups come as an all in one package only?

Thanks in advance.

[Toddupton]

Yes you can easy if it has the hole on the wdh for the ball that it hooks to. If it does not have the hole a plate can be welded on.

[Bama Rambler]

Can you post a pic of the WDH? Different units take different sway controls, but Todd probably has it right.

[Flybob]

What is the make and model of your WDH?

[LOIL99]

Originally Posted by Bama Rambler

Can you post a pic of the WDH? Different units take different sway controls, but Todd probably has it right.

I pick up the unit in 2 weeks, I will definitely post a photo at that point. Thanks Bama.

[LOIL99]

Originally Posted by Flybob

What is the make and model of your WDH?

I don't get the unit for 2 weeks so I am not sure at this point. I will resurrect the thread once I know. Thanks Flybob.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by LOIL99

I purchased a 2008 Rockwood Roo 23SS recently and it came with a WDH setup already installed. My questions is, is there a sway bar product I can purchase that can be installed (added to) my existing WDH setup? Or do WDH/sway bar setups come as an all in one package only?

Thanks in advance.

Basic old-tech WDHs have add-on friction antisway bars.
Newer tech WDHs have integrated sway control and have no separate sway bars.

I tow my 2007 Roo 23SS with the Equal-i-zer 4pt WDH.

[Filterman]

Originally Posted by LOIL99

I purchased a 2008 Rockwood Roo 23SS recently and it came with a WDH setup already installed. My questions is, is there a sway bar product I can purchase that can be installed (added to) my existing WDH setup? Or do WDH/sway bar setups come as an all in one package only?

Thanks in advance.

There are a few good friction type anti sway devices or more accurately this are one or two that are branded by 10 different manufacturers. As stated, your head should have a little hole on a on either side of the main ball where you attach the smaller ball for the anti sway device. They work well, as you set them up properly before you hit the road. I pull a 9500lb Wildcat and it's what I use and works very well to control sway. Here is a link to Curts sight.

Sway Control | Trailer Sway | Weight Distribution
Cheers

[Jakieboy]

If the WDH system coming with your new trailer is an Equalizer, then you do not need to add an anti-sway accessory, friction-type feature. The weight distribution arms on the Equalizer also provide the anti-sway friction needed to prevent fish-tailing. We've used the same system for more than 20 years.

[timfromma]

Here's mine.



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[windsurfdog]

There are several wdh units that have built-in sway control including the Blue Ox Swaypro of which I'm familiar. I highly recommend you insist on purchasing a wdh with built-in sway control. One of the biggest disadvantages to using a wdh with an added sway bar is when backing...the sway bar must be removed. Backing with built-in sway units is not a problem. You'll wish you had built-in after bending the first sway bar...

Good luck and happy camping!

[thebrakeman]

Originally Posted by windsurfdog

There are several wdh units that have built-in sway control including the Blue Ox Swaypro of which I'm familiar. I highly recommend you insist on purchasing a wdh with built-in sway control. One of the biggest disadvantages to using a wdh with an added sway bar is when backing...the sway bar must be removed. Backing with built-in sway units is not a problem. You'll wish you had built-in after bending the first sway bar...

Good luck and happy camping!

Sorry, but this is not correct. I used a friction sway controller for 7 seasons, and never once did I remove it just to back in, and it was never damaged.

The forces involved when moving forward or rearward are identical. The only time something is going to be damaged is if you back into an extreme jackknife, and you bottom out the 2 parts of the unit within each other.

For this reason, the instructions tell you to use caution when backing, and know your limits in a jackknife. As an option, you MAY remove the controller. But removing is certainly not required.

[windsurfdog]

I stand corrected...my apologies. My statement was based upon the experiences of others who have had to replace their sway bars because they, in their words, "forgot to remove it before backing". Sounds like they may have approached a jackknife situation as mentioned.

With proper care, sounds like sway bars are no problem. Then again, no sway bars are definitely no problem if using a wdh with sway control engineered in.

[raspivey]

It can go both ways too. I bent the ball mount on my frame the first time I used it....going forward. Tight U turn. I've always taken mine off since then because 90% of my actual backing involves fairly tight turns to put it in position. I just don't take the chance. Now...on the WDH I just bought, I went ahead and just got built in sway for one less thing to take off.

[itat]

Here is a video showing how to hitch up a typical WDH that has separate, add-on sway control arms.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkwovP1naJs

Here is a video for the Equal-i-zer 4 point hitch. The hitch/unhitch demo starts at 6:10

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjK9jfTW_J4

[timfromma]

My setup is identical to the first video. The only thing I do slightly differently is that once the hitch is mounted on the ball, I actually have to use the tongue jack to lift the rear of my truck up some so there is enough slack to attach the WDH chains.

[LOIL99]

Thanks everyone for the responses. As I mentioned I purchased this trailer used as a private sale so I do not have the option to get a WDH with sway control added on.

This is the hitch that came with the trailer.



Based on your photos and videos it seems obvious now that the small hole is for the sway bar. I have ordered a Husky brand bar from Costco and I think this will end up working perfectly.

I will likely have questions during the install process but thought I would update my progress to date.

[m2kamp]

I purchased a second second hand e2 Fastway hitch w/1000lb round bars (2 point friction version of the Equalizer 4pt) for $100. On this one, the previous owner welded on a tab to the head for a conventional friction sway control device. (He was towing a 35ft tri-axle Airstream with a previous gen Chevy 1500...)

I decide to try it out, but had to redrill the hole for the small ball as it was way off on dimensions.

Result, absolutely no change in pulling, either with friction bar cranked down tight or loose.

I can still feel a small push/pull wiggle when semis or high speed vehicles pass me. Oh well, guess the e2 does just fine on its own. I have never actually had sway.

[325BH]

A dedicated anti-sway bar provides much more sway control than the WD setups with sway control built in. It depends on your setup (trailer size and weight being the biggest factors) whether or not you need one.

The key to the anti-sway bars is to really crank them tight.

I use both, a WD with sway control and an anti-sway bar.


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[timfromma]

Here's mine.




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