Last Updated on February 14, 2023 by Douglas
1. Introduction
Hooking up sway bars on a travel trailer is an important step in ensuring the safety of your family and possessions when you are out on the road. Sway bars help to reduce the amount of side-to-side motion, or “swaying,” that can occur when driving in high winds or when passing other vehicles. The installation of sway bars is relatively simple, but it is important to ensure that they are installed correctly and securely. In this article, we will discuss what sway bars are, the benefits of installing them on a travel trailer, how to measure and install them properly, tips for successful installation, troubleshooting common issues with sway bar installation, and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about hooking up sway bars on a travel trailer.
2. What are Sway Bars?
Sway bars are metal rods that connect one side of the vehicle to the other in order to reduce body roll and improve stability while traveling. They work by transferring some of the force from one side of the vehicle to the other during cornering or high winds, thus reducing body roll and increasing stability. Sway bars come in different sizes and can be purchased at most automotive stores or online retailers.
3. Benefits of Installing Sway Bars on a Travel Trailer
Installing sway bars on a travel trailer has several benefits:
• Improved Stability: By reducing body roll, sway bars help keep your vehicle more stable while driving in high winds or when passing other vehicles. This improved stability can help reduce fatigue while driving long distances as well as increase safety for everyone inside your vehicle.
• Increased Handling: By reducing body roll during cornering maneuvers, sway bars also help improve handling by providing better control over your vehicle’s movements.
• Reduced Wear & Tear: By reducing body roll during turns and bumps in the road, sway bars also help reduce wear & tear on your tires and suspension components which can increase their lifespan and save you money in maintenance costs down the road.
4. How to Measure and Install Sway Bars on a Travel Trailer
Measuring for sway bar installation is relatively simple but should be done with care as incorrect measurements could result in an improper fitment or even damage to your vehicle’s suspension components if not done properly. Here’s how to measure for proper sway bar fitment:
• Measure from one side of the frame rail to the other side where you plan to mount the end links for your new sway bar(s). Make sure you measure from centerline-to-centerline so that each end link will be mounted symmetrically across from each other once installed onto your frame rails.
• Once you have taken measurements, use these measurements to purchase appropriately sized end links for your new sway bar(s). It is important that you choose end links that are designed specifically for use with your type of vehicle (i.e., truck vs SUV vs car) as different types may require different mounting hardware/brackets depending on their design/construction type (i.e., solid steel vs hollow steel).
5 Tips for Installing Your Sway Bars Properly
Installing sway bars is relatively straightforward but there are some key tips that should be followed in order to ensure proper fitment and maximum performance from your new setup:
• Make sure all bolts/nuts/washers used during installation are tightened securely but not over tightened as this could cause damage/stress fractures over time due to excessive tension being placed on them from vibration/movement caused by driving over uneven surfaces/bumps/etc…
• Use thread locker compound such as Loctite® Blue 242™ (or equivalent) on all bolts used during installation as this will help prevent them from loosening over time due to vibration caused by driving over rough terrain or passing large trucks/buses etc…
• Check all connections periodically after installation just to make sure everything is still tight & secure – especially after going off-road or traversing rough terrain!
6 Troubleshooting Common Issues with Installing Sway Bars On A Travel Trailer
If you find yourself having difficulty installing your new sway bar setup there could be several causes such as incorrect measurements being taken during initial preparation phase or incorrect hardware being used during assembly phase – both scenarios could lead to improper fitment which could cause damage/stress fractures over time due to excessive tension being placed on them from vibration/movement caused by driving over uneven surfaces etc… Here’s some common troubleshooting tips if you find yourself running into any issues during assembly:
• Make sure all bolts/nuts/washers used during installation are tightened securely but not overly tightened – overtightening can cause damage due excessive tension being placed on them from vibration/movement caused by driving over uneven surfaces etc…
• Use thread locker compound such as Loctite® Blue 242™ (or equivalent) on all bolts used during assembly – this will help keep them secured tightly even under extreme conditions such as off-roading etc…
7 Conclusion
Hooking up sway bars onto a travel trailer is an important step towards ensuring its safety while out on the road; it helps reduce body roll which improves stability & handling while driving under various conditions such as high winds or when passing other vehicles – making it easier & safer for everyone inside! The process itself isn’t overly complicated but it does require careful attention & precision throughout every step; measuring accurately prior to purchasing parts & taking extra precautions such as using thread locker compound & checking connections periodically after assembly can go a long way towards ensuring safe travels!
8 FAQs About Hooking Up Sway Bars On A Travel Trailer
Q1: What size should I get my new sway bar? A1: The size of your new sway bar should depend upon several factors such as weight capacity requirements (for heavier loads), desired performance characteristics (for more aggressive cornering), etc… It is best practice however to consult with an experienced mechanic prior to purchasing any parts so they can advise you accordingly based upon their experience working with similar setups! Q2: How often should I check my connections after installing my new setup? A2: It’s best practice check all connections periodically after assembly just make sure everything still tight & secure – especially after going off-road or traversing rough terrain!