The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk sway bars

I just purchased a 1971 C10 long box with a 350/350 combo and also a 16' vintage camper that weighs 3000lbs. The previous owner of the camper always used a big bulky hitch drawbar with anti-sway device on it. I'm wondering if I installed swaybars on the truck if I could get away from this bulky drawbar hitch asmy. I havn't tried the camper behind this truck yet due to not having the truck wired for trailer lights or electric brakes yet. Dave V

The truck sway bar is to keep the truck from leaning, the trailer hitch is to keep the trailer from whipping side to side, two different actions. It won't hurt a thing to have a sway bar on the truck, but you will still need the trailer anti-sway hitch. If the trailer is a little tail heavy, the hitch is a must!

Joe

Especially with a vintage 16' camper, you'll want the anti-sway hitch, as Joe H stated. Having the tail wag the dog while you're going down the highway is no fun and could be very dangerous.

IF the trailer is tail heavy, you will need to fix that! You want around 10% of the total weight on the tongue so, a 3,000lb trailer should have at least 300lb tongue weight. If it is setup properly, it should tow ok. Because travel trailers have big flat sides, they are normally prone to swaying (way more than a flatbed car hauler!) and the anti-sway hitch is desirable. As stated above, truck sway bar won't help the trailer, just the truck. Also, adjust the drop/rise on the hitch so your trailer is sitting level when towing.

Thanks for the replies. That info helps. Dave V