WD and Sway Bar

Yep, another non 178 owner, BTW I don't think the Free Surface effect is pertinent, that is what it called which answers TARS post. Which was my intent.

Stephen,

I don't have an issue with the Free Surface effect either, that's because I have a 178, and don't travel with a full water tank. I keep minimal water in it for emergency potty stops.

The "Free Surface Effect". That is why tanks on ships and tanker trucks have baffles in the tanks. Simply says tanks should be full or empty to prevent effect.

There's a name for that slosh effect, I don't remember what it is, but I think the general opinion is it isn't something to worry about in a pod.  First of all, if the tank is half full, half the water is already on one side of the trailer so if all of the water ended up on the same side all at once, which is practically impossible, it would be 60 pounds.  If the tank was 2/3 full 10 gallons would already be on one side so again, in a only theoretical situation, there's only 10 gallons on the other side of the tank and it won't all fit on the other other side.

Then there's the fact that the tanks are almost at axle level.  If you had all this water slamming aroung on top of the pod, it would probably matter.  Not so much at axle level.

No proof here, but move 200 pounds up and inside the pod the the form of a person riding in the back.  I don't think you'd particularly notice if he was bouncing back and forth from one side of the pod to the other.  You might notice but I doubt you'd be worried about him causing a wreck.

If you're going to flip your trailer, I can see how this might be a tiny contributing factor, but I'd say you were most likely going to flip anyway.  That weight so low might even add to your stability.

TT

Originally posted by spydie I noticed some tail-wag on my new 2018 R-pod 176 on the way back to NM from AR with the water tank about 2/3 full.  When I got home I saw why... the darned fresh water tank is way at the rear of the Pod behind the grey water tank, which is right behind the axel.  I had a sway bar on the 2017 RAM 1500 and kept tightening it up all the way home.  It had to be real tight before the sway stopped.  No WD needed on most full size trucks, though.  Sits level without one.

I am surprised you had sway with a full sized PU for a TV.  I think my 177 is plumbed like your pod and I nearly always have water in the tank.  If we are traveling with the pod and will be in truckstops or parking lots I want to be able to use the bathroom and shower so I need water.  I have towed with the tank full on several occasions and haven't had any sway.

My TV is a supercrew with a 6' box.  Is that longer than yours?  That may be the difference.  I also have the heavy duty trailer towing package and could tow 11,000 pounds if I wanted to, but I am not sure that would eliminate sway.