Do I really need a sway bar????

[ghosthunter]

Just bought a Escape 15 b 2013 Travel Trailer. Small and light fiberglass trailer. I towed it home from North Bend to Mount Vernon last week at 50-60 mph. Didn't even know it was back there. Runs level on my hitch. Nissan Frontier

It came with a friction tow system but has to be adjusted to my truck because the guy before me was towing with a van. Lots of pro and cons about going with or without.
Watch a ton of YouTube and read about the causes of sway.

Just don't think I need it. Not planning any long road trips out of state.

The trailer rides even with my truck because it has 15 inch wheels and a 3 inch lift kit.
The kitchen and shower are in the front so not going to be a lot of tong weight increase.

Thinking to try it for awhile without. I am not a high speed driver.
Trailers has breaks and I installed a brake regulator.


What ya think.

Talked to several folks at the RV dump today with older stick and metal small trailers and none used sway and been towing around for years. 

[Dan-o]

In my completely unprofessional opinion:    Why fix something that isn't broke?

[h2ofowlr]

Secondary safety.  The time you have an issue, is when you wish you would have used it.  I travel a lot for work and have seen lots of trailer accidents over the years.  All it takes is a few buddies to help you load the trailer and the weight gets placed behind the axles and you will have a wild experience.

[2MANY]

If the camper is a rockin don't bother knockin.

[Special T]

I've towed my share of trailers with all manner of load distributions, going over passes , and long distance. Load distribution  and the size of the tow rig has a lot to do with it.

I personally don't run them, but... I could see how going over a bump at hwy speed on your lighter rig could provide a rodeo. Key is to acellerate. This is harder to do when it happens going downhill when you want to slow down. The other option is to reach down and actuate just the trailer brake...

Congratulations on you trailer!

[BD1]

I love mine and have never looked at it as having any real drawbacks...like was stated earlier...it is another layer of safety in my opinion. 

[haftard]

i mean. i would run it on a trailer. my truck hell no. one of the first things to come off of my trucks, quads, and sxs. i aint riding in the trailer when its going down the road and i dont want the supention on a trailer to unload going around a corner.

[baker5150]

You won't need it until you do, then you'll probably find out the friction style isn't much help anyway, at least not for prolonged periods.
They don't prevent sway, they attempt to stop it.

There are better systems out there, most are overkill for what you are towing. 

I ran this style on my last TT.  Granted, I needed the weight distribution anyway, and it was a 36' TT that weighed 11k loaded.

https://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Distribution-Hitch/Reese/RP66074.html

[Mudman]

Why would you not?  Get good dist. hitch.  Your driving a Nissan!  Ya dont need it until ya do.  1 swerve is all it takes. imop...  Safety 1st.  Nissan isnt a 8500lb 1 ton. 

[rtspring]

Have yet to use one.  Kinda like tire chains, never used them either.  Its all about how you drive. 

[ghosthunter]

Well I think I got it there.  Someone on the Escape forum said turn the hitch over and that gave me the elevation I needed and putting the bars on for the first time was a breeze.

That is after I figured out why the tongue would not lock on the ball with the tongue jack off the ground. Geeeez Dozen times I tried until I realized I still had the stabilizers down.

[Mudman]

  Looks like good set up!  What is weight of TT?  Loaded wet 4k?

[ghosthunter]

Looks like good set up!  What is weight of TT?  Loaded wet 4k?

Nah lighter.

Factory specs.
Except the last owner put in a heavier factory axle. This one has 15 inch wheels and 3 inch lift kit.
Tried to get tabs yesterday. They had no way to est. value. Nothing in their computers. I told them to value like a Casita 2013 they had that. This model was only made for five years.

[Mudman]

    Very lightweight.  Probably good without any special hitch but hey, why not?   I like it, nice  little TT.