We just started the first leg of our trip and realise that we need anti sway bars before we continue. Have done a little research but am asking if we need anti sway bars AND weight distribution bars OR are they the same thing OR do they come as a package deal? thanks
rockylizard said
08:31 AM Jan 30, 2015
Gday...
It would perhaps help to know a bit about the issues you have encountered.
What vehicle do you have? What size/weight of van are you towing? What conditions are you experiencing that makes you feel a WDH/Sway Control is required? Have you attempted to gain the actual towball weight? Have you attempted to re-arrange the weight distribution within the van - moving heavy items toward the front/over the wheels, keeping heavy items close to the floor? Are there heavy items attached to the rear of the van?
Apart from that, here is some reading material for you to consider. I am sure it would help while you wait for the resident experts to come forth with other advice.
I would contact Hayman Reece and ask there advice , I have towed without weight distribution system and now tow with them and would not tow without them , Found the people at Hayman Reece very helpful on advice for your tug has the set .
tezza said
08:37 AM Jan 30, 2015
what most people use are weight distribution bars. They may help reduce sway by sharing the load more evenly across your axles which if the set up is loaded correctly helps keep everything level and running smoothly. I have seen very few rigs with true anti sway bars and in truth know very little about them. I would suggest if your rig is not following correctly try to find out why, tyre
pressures, tracking truly etc. and correct the problem rather than trying to force it to follow.
Radar said
09:54 AM Jan 30, 2015
Like the other replys look at the tow vehicle how is it sitting try tyre pressures, move some freight around.
Same with the van. Please get a weigh bridge ticket that will tell you more then anything else, no guessing.
Yes give us a bit more to go on before spending money on bars that are a temp fix.
Aus-Kiwi said
12:40 PM Jan 30, 2015
You'll be surprised just changing one heavy item to the front of centre can do...
Treecrest14 said
01:46 PM Jan 30, 2015
Like the other replies - tell us what issues you experienced to make you aware of the need for ASBars or WDHitch. As well as weighing the van (fully loaded) see if you can check on the Ball down weight. Above al else, advise what are the weights your towbar and caravan are rated for ...
iana said
09:47 PM Jan 30, 2015
This is just a small idea, but when I was concerned about the ball weight of my caravan and boat, in case I was over the stated limit for the vehicle, I went and brought two bathroom scales these were "Homedics" 150kg each. Depending if the ball weight, is less than 150kg use one scale, or put a plank between both scales and lower the tow ball onto the middle of the plank (with the necessary blocks to make up height) and add the two results together to see what it weighs. You will have to play around with short blocks of wood to get the hitch in the travel position (important) when over the scales. The scales were quite cheap, and when you have that figure, its something to work on, especially when loading up.
-- Edited by iana on Friday 30th of January 2015 09:47:42 PM
-- Edited by iana on Friday 30th of January 2015 09:47:59 PM
-- Edited by iana on Saturday 31st of January 2015 12:15:12 PM
aussie_paul said
10:12 PM Jan 30, 2015
iana wrote:
This is just a small idea, but when I was concerned about the ball weight of my caravan and boat, in case I was over the stated limit for the vehicle, I went and brought two bathroom scales these were "Homedics" 150kg each. Depending on the ball weight, put the jockey wheel either over one if the ball weight is less than 150kg, or put a plank between both and lower the tow ball onto the middle of the plank (with the necessary blocks to make up height) and add the two results together to see what it weighs. You will have to play around with short blocks of wood to get the hitch in the travel position (important) when over the scales. The scales were quite cheap, and when you have that figure, its something to work on, especially when loading up.
-- Edited by iana on Friday 30th of January 2015 09:47:42 PM
-- Edited by iana on Friday 30th of January 2015 09:47:59 PM
That is how I did the ball weight. Hopefully next week to have access to a weighbridge to do the lot.
Aussie Paul.
Radar said
07:52 AM Jan 31, 2015
I think we have lost Chicka.
iana said
12:16 PM Jan 31, 2015
Chicka has completely lost his hitch!
deverall11 said
01:18 PM Jan 31, 2015
Chicka, from our experience, if you have your van and tug set up correctly, you won't need sway bars. The trick is setting up correctly and this includes WDH.
Larry
mr glassies said
05:57 PM Feb 1, 2015
i got shot down and told my system wasn't for towing last time so from me NO COMENT
We just started the first leg of our trip and realise that we need anti sway bars before we continue. Have done a little research but am asking if we need anti sway bars AND weight distribution bars OR are they the same thing OR do they come as a package deal? thanks
Gday...
It would perhaps help to know a bit about the issues you have encountered.
What vehicle do you have? What size/weight of van are you towing? What conditions are you experiencing that makes you feel a WDH/Sway Control is required? Have you attempted to gain the actual towball weight? Have you attempted to re-arrange the weight distribution within the van - moving heavy items toward the front/over the wheels, keeping heavy items close to the floor? Are there heavy items attached to the rear of the van?
Apart from that, here is some reading material for you to consider. I am sure it would help while you wait for the resident experts to come forth with other advice.
http://www.haymanreese.com.au/
http://www.towingguide.com.au/
Cheers - John
pressures, tracking truly etc. and correct the problem rather than trying to force it to follow.
Like the other replys look at the tow vehicle how is it sitting try tyre pressures, move some freight around.
Same with the van. Please get a weigh bridge ticket that will tell you more then anything else, no guessing.
Yes give us a bit more to go on before spending money on bars that are a temp fix.
This is just a small idea, but when I was concerned about the ball weight of my caravan and boat, in case I was over the stated limit for the vehicle, I went and brought two bathroom scales these were "Homedics" 150kg each.
Depending if the ball weight, is less than 150kg use one scale, or put a plank between both scales and lower the tow ball onto the middle of the plank (with the necessary blocks to make up height) and add the two results together to see what it weighs.
You will have to play around with short blocks of wood to get the hitch in the travel position (important) when over the scales.
The scales were quite cheap, and when you have that figure, its something to work on, especially when loading up.
-- Edited by iana on Friday 30th of January 2015 09:47:42 PM
-- Edited by iana on Friday 30th of January 2015 09:47:59 PM
-- Edited by iana on Saturday 31st of January 2015 12:15:12 PM
That is how I did the ball weight. Hopefully next week to have access to a weighbridge to do the lot.
Aussie Paul.
I think we have lost Chicka.
Larry
dibs