Rear Sway Bars

[Silver Tex]

In my continued pursuit of fitting and tuning my truck for good 5ver towing, I am considering a rear sway bar.
Here are a couple of questions and I’ll appreciate the live experience from all on this forum.

Some context - my 5ver max’s at 11,995#. It is usually in the 10,700# range when loaded for trips. My rear axle loading is 5000#-5100#, fully loaded and fully fueled. I have a 4 way hitch (front to back, side to side). We don’t pull the 5ver over any more uneven ground than what you would find in a state or nation park, camp ground.

• Is there any benefit to adding a rear sway bar to further tune the towing experience?
• Looking at Helwig, Bigwig. Is there a better one? Maybe one that is adjustable or can be disconnected for those times when I’m hunting and the terrain is more uneven?

Thanks All,
Scott.

 

[AH64ID]

Scott,

I ran the Hellwig standard bar on my 05 and was very impressed with its performance both empty and loaded. Lots of forest service roads, hunting, camping, etc and it was never a hinderance to me.

Loaded I was between 5000-7500 lbs on my rear axle. My heavy loads were a pair of ATV's above the bed rails and about 1400lbs of tongue weight. The standard bar was more than plenty to control this CG.

My dad ran a slide-in camper on his 06 and had the bigwig. It worked well for the camper, but the truck was not as nice to drive empty as mine was with the standard bar.

For a 5th wheel, empty driving, and hunting use I would get the standard hellwig bar.

 

[Silver Tex]

Scott,

I ran the Hellwig standard bar on my 05 and was very impressed with its performance both empty and loaded. Lots of forest service roads, hunting, camping, etc and it was never a hinderance to me.

Loaded I was between 5000-7500 lbs on my rear axle. My heavy loads were a pair of ATV's above the bed rails and about 1400lbs of tongue weight. The standard bar was more than plenty to control this CG.

My dad ran a slide-in camper on his 06 and had the bigwig. It worked well for the camper, but the truck was not as nice to drive empty as mine was with the standard bar.

For a 5th wheel, empty driving, and hunting use I would get the standard hellwig bar.

John,
So are suggesting say a 1-1/8” or 1-1/4” diameter bar? I think the Bigwig is 1-5/16” if I recall correctly. Do you happen to recall the Hellwig part number? 7658 perhaps?
Thanks,
Scott.

 

[AH64ID]

Yes, the 7658 which is a 1-1/8" diameter bar.

 

[slowmover]

Smallest diameter for rear.

Upgrade front by one size (a requirement to maintain stock under steer characteristics). Upgrade links and switch to poly bushings.

A SUPER STEER REAR PANHARD ROD to keep axle “centered” is another.

Just remember that the rear axle won’t have as much wheel travel as before. Which with a pickup is of benefit.

New shocks also if more than 40k on them.

Handling is improved substantially. Less degree and duration of steering input. Downside is that more road shock is felt (IMO, not enough to matter).

The trailer — and wind — can’t act AGAINST the pickup as easily, either. Meaning less need for counter-steering.

Most RV’ers try to accomplish the same with tire over-inflation. (Huge mistake). Get it spot-on using a CAT SCALE (see phone app).


.

 

[TJJEEPER]

I have the Big Wig on my truck. I tow a 32' toy hauler at around 12K lbs.
The single biggest improvement with the rear sway bar was in cross winds. I'm out in the Mojave Desert often and it gets quite windy, NEVER an issue.
Never an issue off road but a 1 ton crew dually isn't much of an off road rig anyway!

 

[AnonEd]

Just remember that the rear axle won’t have as much wheel travel as before. Which with a pickup is of benefit.

If a rear bar and Panhard rod are done correctly they shouldn't limit wheel travel and none have on my cars or trucks; the bar may limit articulation but that's why they make disconnects as on the front of a Power Wagon.

 

[AEdelheit]

If a rear bar and Panhard rod are done correctly they shouldn't limit wheel travel and none have on my cars or trucks; the bar may limit articulation but that's why they make disconnects as on the front of a Power Wagon.

There is no way to a rear Panhard bar with leaf springs and not have some bind, the geometry just doesn't work out so its more if you use enough suspension travel for it to be an issue or not.

 

[slowmover]

There is no way to a rear Panhard bar with leaf springs and not have some bind, the geometry just doesn't work out so its more if you use enough suspension travel for it to be an issue or not.

The hand wandering thru a cow pasture at about idle speed and still it crushes his ten-gallon down to a 40-oz gimme cap.

 

[Regcabguy]

I've had the Hellwig standard bar for yrs and Carli Long travel airbags since they first came out. But I still get a bit of sway. I'm installing Timbrens tomorrow.