Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks: Installing anti-sway ball on tongue

Print Page | Close Window

Installing anti-sway ball on tongue

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=8928
Printed Date: 26 Jun 2025 at 11:43am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Installing anti-sway ball on tongue

Posted By: rhuber28277
Subject: Installing anti-sway ball on tongue
Date Posted: 21 Oct 2016 at 3:59pm

I have a Curt anti-sway and am ready to install the tongue ball. I would rather not drill holes in the tongue. Has anyone installed the ball using bolt-on brackets and if so where can I get the brackets?

-------------
Bob Huber
2017 RP 179
2008 Toyota 4runner
Trailer towing newbie

Replies:

Posted By: ToolmanJohn
Date Posted: 21 Oct 2016 at 5:17pm

Your sway control kit (i am assuming friction plate type) should have come with a mounting bracket to install on the tow bar under the 2 inch ball. The small sway bar ball mounts to the bracket.

-------------
2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler
2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD)
2013 VW Touareg TDI

Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 21 Oct 2016 at 5:24pm

Interesting question, I know with mine the tongue mount for the anti sway is not wider than the frame rail, so you'd have to modify the mount to "clamp" on the frame rail, the brackets may be available, but the clamp piece would have to be fabricated. Marine hardware for trailers is a good source for brackets, but to me the clamp is an issue, you could use bar stock and build the clamping pieces.

Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 21 Oct 2016 at 5:26pm

Toolman,

I took it he was asking about the trailer tongue not the TV hitch. Could be wrong.

Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 21 Oct 2016 at 5:28pm

I would not advise any sort of bolt-on brackets because the sway bar endpoints are under a lot of stress. They need to stay fixed for the sway bar to work effectively, and any sort of bolt-on bracket would likely move.

Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 21 Oct 2016 at 5:30pm

I know with my Curt sway bar, I had to order the "mini" ball hitch adapter seperate. What came with the sway bar, mounted it to the tongue.

Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 21 Oct 2016 at 5:31pm

Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 21 Oct 2016 at 5:37pm

Originally posted by mcarter

Toolman,

I took it he was asking about the trailer tongue not the TV hitch. Could be wrong.

That was my interpretation as well (after you mentioned it). The ball on the TV usually doesn't require anything special; there are plates available that sandwich between the hitch bar and the hitch ball. The bracket on the trailer tongue always requires drilling into the tongue as far as I know.

Posted By: rhuber28277
Date Posted: 21 Oct 2016 at 6:17pm

Yes, I was talking about the tongue ball not the hitch end. I bought a tv ball hitch that has the anti-sway ball mounting plate incorporated into it. I just don't like to drill that many holes in the tongue frame but I guess it won't weaken it or Curt wouldn't have designed it that way. Thanks for the comments.

-------------
Bob Huber
2017 RP 179
2008 Toyota 4runner
Trailer towing newbie

Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 21 Oct 2016 at 6:49pm

Yeah Ron, would suggest tongue end be mounted in to tongue frame, don't cheat mother nature :)

Posted By: GLBCamper
Date Posted: 21 Oct 2016 at 8:25pm

When I bought my pod used it had holes drilled for the friction ball mounting plate from the previous owner, but in the wrong place. At least according to the directions for my Reese friction sway bar. I didn't want to add even more holes, so I took it by a welding shop to have the plate welded on (and they filled the old holes.) Cost me about $35. Well worth it. Just be sue to remove your propane tank and battery.

-------------
Old: 2014 177 HRE
2015 Tacoma V6 4x4 Double Cab
New: 2016 EVO ATS 200rd
2016 F150 4x4 Sport

Posted By: ToolmanJohn
Date Posted: 21 Oct 2016 at 9:11pm

Originally posted by rhuber28277

Yes, I was talking about the tongue ball not the hitch end. I bought a tv ball hitch that has the anti-sway ball mounting plate incorporated into it. I just don't like to drill that many holes in the tongue frame but I guess it won't weaken it or Curt wouldn't have designed it that way. Thanks for the comments.

Oh .. I get it now... The A-Frame bracket that holds the other ball. Got confused by the "tongue", got it. Bolts directly to the frame, no worries, 4 holes and the mounting bolts hold fine.. Even though I still have one installed on my frame, I haven't used it since early last year when I bought my Andersen WD hitch.

-------------
2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler
2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD)
2013 VW Touareg TDI