Rear Swaybar

[Deleted member 995608]

We're buying our first fifthwheel trailer soon. 32'-should be around 12/13k loaded. I have a 04. 5 2500 srw, longbed, 6spd, 4x4. I've already added airbags and shocks and was thinking about a rear swaybar to boot. How will it effect handling w/o the trailer offroad, like washboard and rutted dirt roads?

 

[Mundgyver]

You have the 6 speed and it does not have the sway bar already I am surprised. A good heavy sway bar will keep you from wallowing like a baby whale and will help for control. They are a good thing and when you are unloaded, the truck will handle better.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

I have one on the front already ( factory ) I was curious about a rear sway bar.

 

[Mundgyver]

I have the factory tow package on my truck with the sway bar and over-load springs. It is the exact same package a 3500 has, but with single wheels instead of dualies. I've been on gravel and washboard with no problems. I have had people drive my truck and ask me if I have done something to the suspension because it handles corners in a nice crisp manner with no wallowing. It is all stock with only a set of 285 size tires vice the original 265's.



If you could get the overload springs and the sway bar that are built for the truck, I think you would be very happy. I do not know if they offer a tow package for your truck or not. I do know that I have had 4,800 in the bed of my truck and not touched the overloads The heaviest I tow is 23,000 lbs and my handling is good.



I would get the sway bar and if you can get the overload springs, that would be even better.

 

[SnoKing]

I do not believe that the 3rd gen trucks have rear sway bars, including the 3500's. Something about the springs are place out on the end of the axles and DC says you do not need it. Aftermarket should have a kit.



SNOKING

 

[Paladin1911]

Correct- 3rd Gen 3500's don't have the sway bar, but I wish mine did. I have a slide in camper, and my Air Bags helped reduce the sway some, but not enough. Helwig makes a sway bar for 3rd gen's. It's on my list of "must haves"! You can find them at www.suspensionconnection.com .

 

[Deleted member 995608]

I want to be comfortable with the trailer in tow. But I don't want to rattle the fillings out of my head w/o the trailer. On road handling is great but if I venture up a logging road w/o the trailer, am I gonna' get the fillings knocked out w/ 9000's, air bag's and the rear sway bar?That's what I want to know.

 

[Bill Stockard]

I want to be comfortable with the trailer in tow. But I don't want to rattle the fillings out of my head w/o the trailer. On road handling is great but if I venture up a logging road w/o the trailer, am I gonna' get the fillings knocked out w/ 9000's, air bag's and the rear sway bar?That's what I want to know.

I haul a heavy slide-in camper and have added the Hellwig anti-sway bar. The anti-sway bar doesn't adversely affect the ride when the truck is unloaded, but will improve the handling.



If you keep the tires aired up to the maximum pressure, the 9000's set on "9", and the air bags pumped up, you will shake the fillings from your teeth when your truck is unloaded.



Bill

 

[CUMMINZ]

Swaybar added to my 2004.5

It did stiffen the ride a bit and helped the handling.



Please look at this link for pictures.



Click here

 

[TowPro]

I can see where a sway bar will help with a slide in camper. Your weight is high and directly connected to the bed of the truck.



With a 5th wheel I don't see where the sway bar is going to do anything for you. All the pin weight is placed into the center of the bed in a 3'x2' spot just ahead of the axle. Plus the hitch pivots when the trailer leans one way or the other.

 

[R C Cola]

Sway Bars

I pull trailers commercially with a single rear wheel and what I find is... . the travel trailers sway left and right enough to be uncomfortable and a sway will be a big improvement on that. The 5th wheels regardless of size are a lot more stable but will still move some left to right. The up and down of bumps and ruts with the 5th is working the whole truck and not really a problem. I plan to buy soon a sway bar for the benefit of the tongue pulls. They are so easy to put on why not make a trip or two without the bar and decide if you need it. R C

 

[Deleted member 995608]

Thanks everyone. My minds made up. I'm gettin' one!

 

[SHobbs]

Try this one it was in the latest issue. Roadmaster Rear Sway Bar Kit 03 and up 2500/3500 part number 1129-120.

 

[MA2LA]

I put one on a 2wd 2500 hemi i used to have as a work truck to help its scary handling, that 2500 had bump steer from hell, why in the world the front end only had a 1/2in of travel before it hit bump stops i have no clue.