Having a discussion with a friend about installing a sway bar on my Ranger's trailer to help stabilize it when towing on the Interstate.

 

What experience have you had with a sway bar on your trailer?

 

Would you suggest I continue to look into installing a sway bar on my Ranger's trailer?

 

Thanks to all for your input and guidance.

A sway bar?  Do you mean a sway control hitch?  I've never seen this on a bass rig.  Are you seeing sway now?  Is the trailer 100% level?

I’ve used them on heavy bumper pull campers but never heard of them on a bass boat.  A little more info is needed here like the size of the boat and trailer as well as the tow vehicle.

If the trailer weighs more then the tow vehicle sway bars are helpful. Trailers with brakes are more important.

Tom

3 hours ago, J Francho said:

A sway bar?  Do you mean a sway control hitch?  I've never seen this on a bass rig.  Are you seeing sway now?  Is the trailer 100% level?

Yes, sway control switch is probably correct.

 

I have never seen them on a bass boat, either, and was wondering if they would help tow the boat?

 

Yes, the trailer is 100% level. OK, maybe 90% level, but close to 100%.

I can't see it helping anything. The camper has one and it's a pain. Well, the whole camper is a pain, why it's for sale lol. 

1 hour ago, Sam said:

Yes, sway control switch is probably correct.

 

I have never seen them on a bass boat, either, and was wondering if they would help tow the boat?

 

Yes, the trailer is 100% level. OK, maybe 90% level, but close to 100%.

What’s your tow vehicle?

If your trailer is swaying maybe your trailer hitch height is off causing your tung weight to be off.

12 hours ago, GaryH said:

What’s your tow vehicle?

Gary, I use an SUV to tow the boat.

And thanks to you guys I am putting the possibility of adding the bar on hold and probably will table it.

Thanks for your input.

 

10 hours ago, Born 2 fish said:

If your trailer is swaying maybe your trailer hitch height is off causing your tung weight to be off.

Thanks.

The trailer does not sway but someone told me to add a sway bar, which I have never seen on a bass boat trailer, and I wanted everyone's input.

Thanks to everyone's input I will not put the sway bar on the trailer.

Thanks for your help.

Sounds like a well meaning old friend offering advice that wasn't quite applicable. You were right to hop on the n here and ask around about it. Nice job. No one knows it all. 

About the only time I've seen a need for sway control is when towing a heavy trailer that you can't get enough tongue weight on.  as long as you can get 10% - 15% tongue weight, sway is generally not a problem.  At 3,500 or so pounds on yours, that should not be an issue if the boat is positioned properly on the trailer.