Do You Need Sway Bars For A Small Camper?

Having the opportunity to take to the open road opens up a world of vacation options. Owning an RV or small camper will allow you to visit famous sites and attractions, enjoy the beautiful National Parks, and explore the US at your convenience, with all the creature comforts of home.

Road safety should always be a priority for any family or traveler, and this article will look at whether the benefits of a sway bar on a small camper make a difference.

Do You Need Sway Bars For A Small Camper?

It can be easy to get carried away with buying accessories for an RV or small camper. Not everything you buy will be necessary, but they can improve the comfort and convenience of your trip.

So first things first: can you pull a camper without sway bars?

Anyone that has driven a small camper will know that road and weather conditions, as well as other road users, can impact your drive. When you are driving at high speeds, all of these factors, collectively or individually, can cause swaying.

Swaying can be extremely dangerous, and if the driver cannot get the camper back under control, it can lead to crashing and flipping. Sway bars can significantly reduce trailer sway and make travel considerable safer.

Many modern campers will come equipped with sway bars pre-installed, making it a lot easier for drivers to enjoy safe motoring. But, can you drive without a sway bar? Yes, you can, but it is probably best not to do that.

What Is Trailer Sway?

Trailer sway, also known as snaking or fishtailing, is when the trailer starts to move from side to side.

The leading causes of trailer sway include;

• Poor weight distribution in the trailer. If most of the trailer's weight is at the back, it can act like a pendulum. At least 10 to 15% of the trailer's weight should be kept over the hitch. Heavy items should also be stored low, so the trailer has a low center of gravity.
• Incorrect tire pressure. The tire pressure of your trailer's tires is essential to enjoying a smooth, safe ride. Always check the user manual to find the advised pressure, and check the tires before setting out.
• The driving conditions will also impact the risk of sway. This can include the weather, passing large vehicles, being passed, crossing bridges, coming out from behind bridges, or into a crosswind.

Some modern vehicles, campers, and trailers will have automatic sway mitigation controls. If you do not have these controls and experience sway, applying the trailer breaks separately will help to drag it back in line. Again, this might not be an option for everyone, but some other interventions include;

• Gradually__ reduce your speed __by taking your foot off the accelerator. Avoid using the towing vehicle's brakes unless there is a danger of collision.
• While slowing down, gently steer against the trailer's motion to reduce violent swinging.

The risk of trailer sway is significantly increased by having a heavier trailer pulled by a lighter towing vehicle. Specially designed towing hitches and sway bars will minimize the risk of this occurring.

What Is A Sway Bar?

One of the best ways to know whether you can pull a camper without sway bars is by finding out precisely what a sway bar is, and we are here to help with that.

A sway bar helps to stiffen potential side-to-side movement that can develop into a dangerous problem. There are two common types of sway bars: the hitch sway bar and adjustable sway bars.

Hitch Sway Bars

Hitch sway bars connect the towing vehicle to the trailer by using strong metal arms that are attached to the vehicle's hitch. Because they are built into the weight distribution hitch, you will not require any add-ons. Adjustable bars or chains can be added to offer more flexibility.

Adjustable Sway Bars

While these aren't as common an option as they might have been in the past, adjustable sway bars can still give drivers added security and safety when towing a camper.

Adjustable sway bars are solid and can be locked to specific lengths. They connect to the trailer's tongue and tow vehicle's hitch and help to steady the trailer and stop it from moving further from or closer to the tow vehicle.

What Do Sway Bars Do On A Camper?

So what affects the stability and driving conditions of an RV or camper van to make you need a sway bar in the first place? It is essential to understand what kind of conditions of factors will affect you when driving with a camper. You will learn a lot about what impacts your driving through experience, but having an idea will definitely make a difference.

The following conditions and situations will all impact how safe a camper is to drive and how effective trailer sway bars will be.

Tight turns

Tight turns and sharp maneuvers can be challenging when driving with a trailer, especially if driving at speed. In addition, the centrifugal force can put a lot of stress on the camper.

The size and height of campers also pose an additional problem as the risk that they might tip is greater. The best way to combat these dangers is by driving slowly and carefully.

Driving with a trailer sway bar will also help stop the camper from sliding or twisting towards the vehicle towing it. The jack-knifing problem is probably more associated with articulated trucks but can still pose a problem with campers being towed.

Strong winds

One of the most common causes of trailer sway is the wind. Unfortunately, there is not much you can do about this regarding how you drive, so the use of sway bars can be a significant factor in sway control in this type of scenario.

It is worth mentioning that drivers should consider road conditions before setting out. Traveling with a high-sided trailer is not advisable if strong winds are expected.

Windy conditions can seriously impact sway control on trailers, and even slight winds or other factors can cause trailer sway or fishtail.

Good weight distribution and using sway bars will help minimize the risk of this occurring. Failure to protect yourself against this can lead to a loss of speed, poor gas mileage, and loss of control. The worst-case scenario is that when a trailer gets entirely out of control can lead to the trailer flipping and causing a road traffic accident.

Rough roads

If you are interested in getting off the beaten track to explore quieter destinations, you might have to travel down roads with challenging terrain.

For most motor vehicles, the suspension is powerful enough to handle challenging conditions. This is not always the case with trailers and campers.

With the trailer bumping from side to side and shifting forward and back, you will find sway bars to be essential equipment. They will help to steady the camper and stop it from sliding forwards toward the towing vehicle.

Weight distribution

Driving with a trailer or small camper can be challenging and take a bit of getting used to. Using sway bars can make this a bit easier in a number of ways. One of those is with the distribution of weight.

The trailer's weight needs to be considered, with the tow vehicle's front tires carrying less weight and the back tires bearing the brunt and having the most weight.

Poor weight distribution will also cause the trailer to pitch forward, increasing the risk of sway to the back end.

Weight distribution hitches and sway bars will balance the towing vehicle and trailer, resulting in a more streamlined journey. Many modern weight distribution hitches will have in-built sway bars, making this much easier to achieve.

Vehicle slipstream

It can be easy to focus on road or weather conditions when considering the biggest risk when driving with a camper attached to your vehicle. Still, many overlook the impact on other road users.

The slipstream caused by other vehicles can cause a high-sided trailer to sway. Passing or being passed by other vehicles will impact your trailer, and inexperienced drivers can struggle to recognize this risk.

Using sway bars on your trailer will help it to be more secure against the passing slipstream of other vehicles, minimizing yet another potential cause of sway.

When Should Sway Bars Be Used?

While it is not a requirement to use sway bars, the job they can do to help drivers means that users should employ them whenever driving with a trailer or camper attached to a towing vehicle.

Even experienced drivers can benefit from them, as external influences can impact even the most careful drivers.

Pros And Cons of Using Sway Bars On A Small Camper

Understanding the pros and cons of using sway bars on a small camper will make it easier for you to make your decision. While there are several clear advantages, there will invariably be some factors that might not appeal to some drivers.

Here are the pros and cons of using sway bars on small campers;

Pros of Using Sway Bars on a Small Camper

Sway bars are a great way to improve safety when driving a vehicle and towing a small camper. Here are some of the main benefits you will experience when using a sway bar.

• Minimize the risk of trailer sway - Using sway bars will help to keep your trailer more secure and minimize the risk of trailer sway caused by winds, other traffic, or poor roads.
• Minimize the risk of jack-knifing - When turning or maneuvering a trailer or camper, it can slide towards the vehicle. Using sway bars helps to keep it lined up and in place.
• Improve fuel economy - If your camper starts to sway, even minimally, this will slow the vehicle and make it work harder unnecessarily. The use of sway bars will help to reduce the risk of this, make your journey more streamlined, and reduce fuel wastage.

Cons of Using Sway Bars on a Small Camper

While there are obvious benefits to using trailer sway bars, we would always like to provide a balanced viewpoint, so here are the reasons why people might choose not to use them.

• Potential failure - As with all cart parts, sway bars will be affected by wear and tear and will eventually need to be replaced. This can result in poor handling when turning or steering.
• Jarring movements - Because sway bars are used to even out bumps, so one side doesn't take the full force and cause swaying or tipping, it can result in jarring movements when the impact is transferred to the other side as well. Adjustable sway bars are one way to combat this.

FAQs

Do campers come with sway bars?

Yes, many modern campers can come with pre-installed sway bars, making it much easier for consumers.

Some campers will come with a 'fifth wheel,' which means they won't need sway bars. Instead, 5th wheel campers make use of a central hitch attached to the truck's bed.

It offers users an easy way to use the towing vehicle without taking the camper whenever you need to go somewhere after setting up camp. They are also easier to maneuver and more stable because the camper's weight is rested on the truck bed.

You must have a capable towing vehicle for this option.

Why should I worry about sway bars if modern campers are equipped with them?

If you are investing in a modern camper with a pre-installed sway bar, you won't need to consider a new sway bar for some time. However, if you buy an older or second-hand model, they may not come with them installed, giving you the option of driving with or without them.

We have mentioned many of the benefits of driving with a sway bar, so weighing your options when investing in a small camper will help you make the right decision.

Does a sway bar help with towing?

Sway bar hitches are optional, and it is perfectly possible to drive a towing camper without sway bars.

Driving with a sway control hitch will increase safety and minimize the risk of the trailer swaying. Excessive swaying will waste fuel and reduce your control over your vehicle.

If the sway gets out of hand, the trailer can end up tipping and flipping. This will be extremely dangerous for anyone in the towing vehicle and other road users.

A sway bar can also minimize the risk of the trailer tipping or jackknifing when maneuvering.

How do I stop a trailer from fishtailing?

If your trailer has started fishtailing, you should attempt to reduce your speed by gradually taking your foot off the accelerator. Excessive braking can be dangerous, so try to avoid using the brake unless necessary.

Gently steering against the sway can also help to pull the trailer back in line with the towing vehicle, but excessive and sharp steering should be avoided.

Minimizing the risk of fishtailing, snaking, or sway can be done by employing defensive driving tactics. This is where you drive in a way to maximize your and other road users' safety by being aware of conditions, other road users, and potential hazards and acting in a way to void them.

Learning the leading causes of trailer sway will help you learn how to avoid it when driving.

Is a sway bar easy to install on a camper?

Installation of a sway bar is a relatively simple job for people experienced with car repairs and mechanics. However, because the purpose of installing a sway bar is to improve safety, it is vital that the installation is done correctly.

If you are unsure, speak with a professional who will be able to help you install a sway bar for camper vans or trailers.

Different trailer models and sway bar brands will have differences, but there are many online guides that will help you to install them on your trailer. Following the brand guide is advised, and you must ensure the sway bar you have is eligible for the make and model of your trailer and towing vehicle.

Final Thoughts

Do you need sway bars for a small camper? The simple answer to that is no, you don't necessarily _need _them, but it will make your vehicle considerably safer to install them.

A sway bar is not a legal requirement, and many might consider it an avoidable expense. However, many others would prefer the added security it offers to the driver, their family, and their trailer when on vacation.

A vehicle sway bar upgrade on older models may be required after a while, but with most modern campers, you will have them pre-installed. This is a sure sign that if manufacturers are making this standard practice, it will be worth doing.

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