What does a sway bar do?
10/21/2022
A sway bar slows the trailer’s action as you drive, preventing it from swaying back and forth. Trailer sway bars or sway controllers are metal or steel bars that attach from the hitch on your tow vehicle to the tongue of the trailer for towing. They are designed to keep the trailer from swaying as you drive down the road.
While a sway bar might not improve ride quality, combined with an air spring kit it can increase the driver’s comfort, making it easier to steer and control.
What is trailer sway?
Anyone who has hauled a trailer more than once knows the feeling of trailer sway from a giant gust of wind or a bumpy road. Beyond outside forces, trailer sway is often due to unbalanced weight distribution, causing excessive trailer or camper tongue weight. This can cause the rear bumper of your vehicle to squat, leading to sway.
Trailer sway can leave drivers feeling stressed, fatigued and like they’re not under control of their vehicle. Nothing can be scarier for those towing and hauling than speeding down the highway and feeling like you’re losing control with a trailer swaying back and forth.
How does trailer sway happen?
The added weight of the trailer and a squatting bumper can cause a loss of traction, bringing a loss of steering control and an out-of-control haul. Trailer sway can cause issues like crashing your vehicle and going off the road.
Still, if you do start to sway, don’t panic. Let off the gas and reduce your speed. You should slow down and maintain at least 10 miles per hour below the speed you noticed the swaying begin. Don’t apply your brakes or speed up. Hold your steering wheel straight and steady. Don’t count-steer, which could make it harder to gain control.
