How to Adjust Your Sway Bar for a Safer Travel Trailering Experience

AvatarByDale Richard Traveling Information

How to Adjust Sway Bar for Travel Trailer

Travel trailers are a great way to explore the open road, but they can also be a handful to drive. If your trailer is swaying back and forth, it can be dangerous and make for an uncomfortable ride. Fortunately, there’s a simple solution: adjusting the sway bar.

The sway bar is a metal bar that connects the left and right wheels of your trailer. It helps to keep the trailer stable by resisting side-to-side movement. When the trailer sways, the sway bar applies a force to the opposite wheels, helping to bring the trailer back in line.

Adjusting the sway bar is a relatively simple task, but it’s important to do it correctly. If you adjust the sway bar too tightly, it can make the trailer feel stiff and unresponsive. If you adjust it too loosely, the trailer will sway more than it should.

In this article, we’ll show you how to adjust the sway bar on your travel trailer so that it’s properly balanced and provides a smooth, comfortable ride.

Steps to Adjust Sway Bar

1. Park your trailer on a level surface.
2. Loosen the bolts that hold the sway bar in place.
3. Slide the sway bar up or down until it’s in the desired position.
4. Retighten the bolts.
5. Test the sway bar by driving your trailer around the block.

If you’re not sure how to adjust the sway bar on your particular trailer, consult your owner’s manual.

Step Instructions Image
1 Park your travel trailer on a level surface.
2 Find the sway bar adjustment bolts. They are usually located on the front and rear of the trailer, near the axles.
3 Loosen the adjustment bolts.
4 Adjust the sway bar until it is tight enough to prevent the trailer from swaying side to side, but not so tight that it makes it difficult to steer.
5 Retighten the adjustment bolts.

How To Adjust Sway Bar For Travel Trailer?

Tools and Materials Needed

  • Sway bar adjustment tool
  • Wrench
  • Ratchet
  • Safety glasses

Steps to Adjust Sway Bar

1. Park your travel trailer on a level surface.
2. Engage the parking brake.
3. Remove the sway bar adjustment tool from the storage compartment.
4. Locate the sway bar adjustment bolts on the front and rear of the trailer.
5. Loosen the sway bar adjustment bolts using the wrench.
6. Use the ratchet to turn the sway bar adjustment tool clockwise to tighten the sway bar or counterclockwise to loosen the sway bar.
7. Tighten the sway bar adjustment bolts using the wrench.
8. Replace the sway bar adjustment tool in the storage compartment.

Tips for Adjusting Sway Bar

  • Make small adjustments to the sway bar tension.
  • Start with the sway bar tension set to the middle setting.
  • Increase or decrease the sway bar tension as needed until the trailer feels stable.
  • Be sure to tighten the sway bar adjustment bolts securely after making an adjustment.

Warnings

  • Do not adjust the sway bar while the trailer is moving.
  • Do not overtighten the sway bar adjustment bolts.
  • Be careful not to pinch your fingers when tightening or loosening the sway bar adjustment bolts.

Adjusting the sway bar on your travel trailer can help to improve the stability of the trailer when it is towing. By following these steps, you can safely and easily adjust the sway bar to your desired tension.

How To Adjust Sway Bar For Travel Trailer?

3. Park the travel trailer on a level surface.

The first step in adjusting the sway bar on your travel trailer is to park it on a level surface. This will ensure that the sway bar is properly aligned and that the adjustment will be accurate.

To check if your travel trailer is level, you can use a level or a carpenter’s square. If the travel trailer is not level, you can use chocks or blocks to level it.

4. Engage the parking brake.

Once the travel trailer is parked on a level surface, you need to engage the parking brake. This will prevent the travel trailer from rolling while you are adjusting the sway bar.

To engage the parking brake, you will need to find the parking brake lever. This lever is usually located on the driver’s side of the travel trailer. Once you have located the parking brake lever, pull it up to engage the parking brake.

5. Locate the sway bar.

The sway bar is a metal bar that connects the front and rear axles of the travel trailer. It helps to reduce sway by preventing the trailer from swaying side to side.

The sway bar is usually located under the travel trailer. You can find it by looking for a metal bar that connects the front and rear axles.

6. Loosen the sway bar bolts.

Once you have located the sway bar, you need to loosen the sway bar bolts. These bolts are usually located on the top of the sway bar. To loosen the bolts, you will need a wrench or a socket wrench.

7. Adjust the sway bar.

Once the sway bar bolts are loosened, you can adjust the sway bar. To do this, you will need to turn the sway bar bolts clockwise or counterclockwise. Turning the bolts clockwise will tighten the sway bar, while turning the bolts counterclockwise will loosen the sway bar.

You will need to experiment with different adjustments until you find the setting that provides the best sway control.

8. Tighten the sway bar bolts.

Once you have found the desired adjustment, you need to tighten the sway bar bolts. To do this, you will need a wrench or a socket wrench.

Tighten the bolts until they are snug, but do not overtighten them.

9. Test the sway bar.

Once you have adjusted the sway bar, you need to test it. To do this, you can drive the travel trailer around a corner. If the travel trailer does not sway as much as it did before, then you have successfully adjusted the sway bar.

If the travel trailer still sways, you may need to adjust the sway bar again.

Adjusting the sway bar on your travel trailer is a simple task that can help to improve the stability of your trailer. By following these steps, you can easily adjust the sway bar and improve the handling of your travel trailer.

How do I know if my sway bar needs to be adjusted?

There are a few signs that your sway bar may need to be adjusted. These include:

  • The trailer sways excessively when you make a turn.
  • The trailer feels unstable when you’re driving on a windy day.
  • The trailer fishtails when you’re braking or accelerating.

If you notice any of these signs, it’s a good idea to have your sway bar adjusted by a qualified technician.

How do I adjust my sway bar?

Adjusting your sway bar is a relatively simple process, but it’s important to follow the steps carefully to avoid damaging your trailer.

1. First, you’ll need to locate the sway bar on your trailer. It’s usually located near the rear axle.
2. Next, you’ll need to find the adjustment bolts. These bolts are usually located on the end of the sway bar.
3. Use a wrench to loosen the adjustment bolts.
4. Turn the bolts clockwise to tighten the sway bar or counterclockwise to loosen it.
5. Retighten the adjustment bolts.
6. Test the sway bar by making a turn. If the trailer still sways excessively, you may need to adjust the sway bar further.

**How often should I adjust my sway bar?

The frequency with which you adjust your sway bar will depend on the type of trailer you have and how you use it. If you tow your trailer frequently on winding roads or in windy conditions, you may need to adjust the sway bar more often.

Generally speaking, it’s a good idea to adjust your sway bar at least once a year.

**What are the benefits of adjusting my sway bar?

Adjusting your sway bar can improve the handling of your trailer and make it more stable when you’re driving. This can make your trailer safer to tow and more comfortable to ride in.

In addition, adjusting your sway bar can help to extend the life of your trailer by preventing damage to the suspension and other components.

**What are the risks of not adjusting my sway bar?

If your sway bar is not properly adjusted, it can increase the risk of accidents. An improperly adjusted sway bar can cause your trailer to sway excessively, which can make it difficult to control. This can lead to a loss of control of the trailer and an accident.

In addition, an improperly adjusted sway bar can damage the suspension and other components of your trailer.

**How can I prevent my sway bar from needing adjustment?

There are a few things you can do to prevent your sway bar from needing adjustment. These include:

  • Using a quality sway bar that is properly installed.
  • Towing your trailer within the manufacturer’s recommended weight limits.
  • Avoiding driving on rough roads or in windy conditions.
  • Inspecting your sway bar regularly for signs of wear and tear.

By following these tips, you can help to keep your sway bar in good condition and prevent it from needing adjustment.

adjusting the sway bar on your travel trailer is a relatively simple task that can be completed in a few minutes. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can ensure that your trailer is safe and stable while towing.

Here are a few key takeaways to remember:

  • The sway bar connects the front and rear axles of your trailer, helping to reduce sway and improve handling.
  • The sway bar is adjusted by turning the adjustment bolts on each end of the bar.
  • To increase the stiffness of the sway bar, turn the adjustment bolts clockwise. To decrease the stiffness of the sway bar, turn the adjustment bolts counterclockwise.
  • The correct setting for the sway bar will vary depending on the weight and type of trailer you are towing.
  • It is important to experiment with different settings until you find one that provides the best balance of stability and handling.

By following these tips, you can safely and confidently tow your travel trailer wherever you want to go.

Author Profile

Dale Richard
Dale Richard
Dale, in his mid-thirties, embodies the spirit of adventure and the love for the great outdoors. With a background in environmental science and a heart that beats for exploring the unexplored, Dale has hiked through the lush trails of the Appalachian Mountains, camped under the starlit skies of the Mojave Desert, and kayaked through the serene waters of the Great Lakes.

His adventures are not just about conquering new terrains but also about embracing the ethos of sustainable and responsible travel. Dale’s experiences, from navigating through dense forests to scaling remote peaks, bring a rich tapestry of stories, insights, and practical tips to our blog.