Anti sway or Equalizer hitch ??

Here's another question related to the whole WDH/Stabilizer set-up. If you are backing into (or pulling out of) your driveway and have a sloped apron between the level driveway and the street, do you disengage your staibilizer bars ?

I did last time we travelled, and right after we got the Equal-i-zer installed, but I'm not sure that was necessary.

'Slogger

Did you raise the L brackets on the camper frame to increase your sway control?  The potential downside to that is you can end up raising the rear of your TV too much.

Originally posted by Seanl Originally posted by burge16 My whole setup came from the dealer, so everything was set up for me by them. The adjustment I made only related to how tight I had the chains, I had them much too loose. So it was essentially like not having anything until I tightened them up. Scarey lesson to learn, now I know. Okay you have a chain type of Weight Distribution Hitch. Most of them don't have built in sway control. Equalizer is a brand name that does not use chains and has built it sway control.  The picture below is of an E2 Hitch which has solid brackets on the frame of the trailer for the spring bars of the Weight Distribution hitch to sit on. (This is the same on the Equalizer) This provides 2 points of friction for sway control. The Equalizer has another two points of friction at the hitch head which dampens side to side motion.  Some chain type WDHs have a cam system for sway control that you can add. You can also add a sway bar. The down side to sway bars is they have to be removed when you are backing up the trailer. I hope that helps a little is explaining the different types of hitches.  This is a Reese Cam active Sway control system.

My whole setup came from the dealer, so everything was set up for me by them. The adjustment I made only related to how tight I had the chains, I had them much too loose. So it was essentially like not having anything until I tightened them up. Scarey lesson to learn, now I know.

I'm brand new at RV'ing and towing, and just bought a 177. I'm towing it with a V6 Ford Escape, and had equalizer bars installed. My first trip down the highway my trailer was swaying side to side, so I pulled over and tightened the equalizer bars, and that made all the difference. Now it's much more stable, and I only notice a bit of movement when it's really windy (which I gather is normal). Lots to learn though, so I'm really happy this forum is available for new people like me!