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Sway friction control

Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3822
Printed Date: 08 Jun 2025 at 5:25pm
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Topic: Sway friction control
Posted By: bc matell
Subject: Sway friction control
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2013 at 4:30pm
O.K. Once again the question, what prevents trailer sway?? Two dealers have told me that the sway friction control  bar is what does the job. Others say weight distribution hitch does. Who to belive???
I know a lot of you have the Eq hitch but does that REALLY prevent trailer sway? Or just help a bit?
Thanks for your replys.


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TV 2012 Toyota Tacoma 6 cyl
Misha the Lab
Loving life and living it!



Replies:
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2013 at 5:57pm

Some WDHs include sway control in their design.  The ones with chains don't, so you'll need a separate friction bar for sway control.  The Equalizer and E2 do, because the spring bars rest on metal brackets which provides the friction to control the sway.

However, you want to take care of all of the causes of sway first.  See this link.   http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723&PID=29812&title=creating-an-instruction-maintanence-manual#29812  - http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723&PID=29812&title=creating-an-instruction-maintanence-manual#29812



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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual


Posted By: bc matell
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2013 at 6:24pm
Thank you for the info!! No one ,rv parts people explained that. I 'm going to go with the friction sway bar. I think the pod with the tv does not need the EQ? If it does I will add it.

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TV 2012 Toyota Tacoma 6 cyl
Misha the Lab
Loving life and living it!


Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2013 at 9:20pm
The Tacoma doesn't need a WDH, no.  But I (and others here) have found that it still improves the ride quality even with a larger TV.  My first trip out with my current TV I left the spring arms off on the way to camp and was happy to put them back on for the trip home.  Haven't looked back. 

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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual


Posted By: dsmiths
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2013 at 9:32pm
I only use the friction sway control. light inexpensive. I do pull with a chevy trail blazer that has a longer wheel base them some t.v.'s. I pull on hilly southern Indiana terrain , semi's blasting by at 80 mph. I have never had a sway problem period. I have pulled my 172 75 miles on the interstate with no sway control on with no adverse effects. correct tire pressure, proper t.v. and common sense goes a long way. I have towed on rough crappy roads and have never experienced any problems without the equalizing hitch. it may be the combination of my t.v. and the lighter 172. I have been in 35 mph right cross winds and had a semi blow by me on the left. I feel a little tug as it passes but no adverse effects. I have a hard rule on speed. 60 mph max on interstates or any road. up extremely grades on the interstate I will let my speed decay to 50 or 55. I stay in the right lane. I use the wireless tenkosha brake controller and I cant feel the pod back there during braking.

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Dane and Donna Smith
2011 RP-172
2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer 4X4
lift kit
prodigy wireless brake controller


Posted By: PanamaMitch
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2013 at 1:20pm
I use a weight distributing hitch and that generally keeps things in order.  I've recently added a friction sway control system after experiencing some sway from being passed by semi trucks.  60 mph seems to be the limit for firm control while towing, at least for us.  Admittedly, the Wrangler XL is not ideal.  Their suspension and drive train are not really optimized for towing.  

Still hoping to get a much more capable 2014 Grand Cherokee with the Eco Diesel engine.  


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R-Pod 176T + Jeep Wrangler Unlimited


Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2013 at 10:48pm
Which WDH do you have?

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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual



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