Sway Bar in the Rain

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by TURBS

As long as you agree with oc.

Makes me no never mind, I really don't care what others do, just stating my experience.

[youroo]

Originally Posted by RPAspey

I've never loosened the friction control when i drive in the rain. But, this discussion explains why, on occasion in the rain, my truck feels like it's rear gets "pushed" around corners. Especially right hand corners. I'm definitely going to try loosening the friction control during rain....

OK ,If it is (Raining and you Have/Need Sway Control-(STOP until it stops RAINING) this is going to work REAL WELL? Youroo!!

[RPAspey]

Originally Posted by youroo

OK ,If it is (Raining and you Have/Need Sway Control-(STOP until it stops RAINING) this is going to work REAL WELL? Youroo!!

Eh?

Stop? No. Just back off the friction a bit. I slow down when I tow during rain anyway.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by youroo

OK ,If it is (Raining and you Have/Need Sway Control-(STOP until it stops RAINING) this is going to work REAL WELL? Youroo!!

Or get a 5er.

[Kaadk]

Two things come into play when you're dealing with rain:

1) There's a lower coefficient of friction between your tires and the pavement. The more balanced your load, the less likely you'll have some wheels lose traction before others. But you should be running a balanced load with a properly setup WDH anyways so this shouldn't be an issue.

2) the effect of water on your anti-sway bars. This is going to depend on the actual material used in your anti-sway. If the material absorbs water (like an old-school brake shoe) then it may swell, causing it grab sooner. If the material's impervious to water, the water may ride on top, causing less friction (like the tires above) resulting in the anti sway taking longer to kick in. I'm not a material engineer so I can't say for sure which way yours will react. Your best bet is to do like OC suggested. Go wet them down and try them out. I don't think you need to go for a drive though. Just tighten them until you can barely move them by hand, then wet and see if they get harder/easier/no difference to move.




Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by Kaadk

Two things come into play when you're dealing with rain:

1) There's a lower coefficient of friction between your tires and the pavement. The more balanced your load, the less likely you'll have some wheels lose traction before others. But you should be running a balanced load with a properly setup WDH anyways so this shouldn't be an issue.

2) the effect of water on your anti-sway bars. This is going to depend on the actual material used in your anti-sway. If the material absorbs water (like an old-school brake shoe) then it may swell, causing it grab sooner. If the material's impervious to water, the water may ride on top, causing less friction (like the tires above) resulting in the anti sway taking longer to kick in. I'm not a material engineer so I can't say for sure which way yours will react. Your best bet is to do like OC suggested. Go wet them down and try them out. I don't think you need to go for a drive though. Just tighten them until you can barely move them by hand, then wet and see if they get harder/easier/no difference to move.

Good idea, I don't know of any brake shoe/pad material that is impervious to water, but there might be.

[Kaadk]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Good idea, I don't know of any brake shoe/pad material that is impervious to water, but there might be.

I was thinking the rubber sleeves people put on the Equalizer's brackets might be. But that's a different setup than separate anti-sway bars.



Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[M&K Hoffman]

I have an E2 hitch. Very similar to the Equal-i-zer hitch. My bars are made of steel. The L brackets are made of steel. There is no "brake" material. Everything was painted when new and the manual states to keep it painted.
"From time to time, use a good quality rust inhibiting spray paint
to touch up the finish and keep it looking good. Do not paint over the warning
stickers."
The only thing you should not paint are the warning stickers per the manual. Best bet for any time it is raining, slow down!

[Thekipkers]

I run a trekker WDH with active sway control, in December I lost control after a cross wind grabbed the trailer on a wet/oil soaked asphalt roadway (the trekker disengages away at 10 degrees of sway I believe). When reviewing the materials on the hitch I noticed it says to disengage the active sway (loosen the cam bolts) on slick roadways. When I called about this they advised it was more aimed at snow and or ice.

IMO, some rain slick roadways are just as bad sometimes due to oil etc buildup.


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[youroo]

It appears that the (Trekker Sway Control) (Totally DISENGAGES) after 9% of Sway? So much for Sway Control Help! Youroo!!