Sway Bars Needed?

Conditions is correct.  I used to pull a popup which was suicide to pull w/o a sway bar, and tried all methods to reduce the problem.  When I got the pod I was very happy to see how well it pulled - stable and smooth.  I towed for some time w/o sway control.  Then one day I was towing in a heavy wind and experienced sway problems, and decided I should finally get it.  I figured I might as well get weight distribution at the same time.  When I changed my TV to something that doesn't need either I still found the ride comfort was much better when using the WDH so I still use it.

Sometimes with sway bars, they only save you that one time you need them most.  Three words - Conditions, Conditions, Conditions!

Once again I find myself agreeing with Tars Tarkas. Weight distribution and sway control are complex subjects all wrapped up in the TT and TV combination. The Toyota FJ as a very capable TV and may get away with fewer helpers than a less capable SUV. So..........

I towed a RP172 with a 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L V6. It was a 4WD rated at #4500 towing and #450 hitch weight. After much research I went with the Fastway E2 weight distribution hitch (WDH) with built in sway control. I've tried driving with and without the E2 connected and I'll never be without it. Neither will my wife! That said, WDH and sway control are separable and some will argue for one and not the other, but the combination is easy, available, and "why not".  Sway can be controlled with careful selection: maintain adequate tongue weight, minimize trailer weight behind the axle, maximize TV wheelbase, minimize distance from hitch ball to TV rear axle.

Unfortunately the same conditions that minimize sway also create the need for weight distribution. As the trailer tongue weight increases the bumper hitch tends to lower the TV rear and and raise the TV front end. This takes weight off the front wheels and decreases your ability to control and steer the rig. A very uncomfortable and dangerous condition. The solution is a WDH which shifts weight off the TV rear axle, back onto the TV front axle, and also to the trailer axle. Lots of engineer speak here but it works.

A search on this form and others for WDH/sway conntrol will keep you reading well into next week, pro and con. Do the research and  come back with your questions. That's why we're all here.

I've never used sway bars just so you understand my perspective on this.

There are at least several variables involved in whether you might need sway bars.  Your tow vehicle, your trailer, the height of your hitch, the weight of trailer, the balance of the weight front to back, and the tongue weight at least.  That's before you consider road conditions, like driving down hill in a cross wind and being passed by a giant tractor trailer.

I do fine without sway bars with my 176 pulled by a Toyota FJ Cruiser.  Your situation will be different.  The smaller and/or shorter your tow vehicle, generally, the more likely you are to want sway bars.

Sway bars can be an important safety consideration.  Arguably, at least, they are somewhat inconvenient and they add weight.  You can try towing without them and see how you do.  If you need them, you can add them later.  Or, you can go with the philosophy that it's safer to have them and not need them than to need them and not have them. 

It's not necessary to have a weight distributing hitch to have sway bars, but they often go together.

TT

Need more info. What will you tow it with? Compared to your 5er experience, sway is a bigger problem with bumper towing due to the geometry. A bigger concern may be weight distribution. Generally I recommend weight distribution coupled with sway control. Then you've got the best of all worlds.