How Does a Second Friction Sway Control Unit Get Installed on a Trailer

Updated 08/04/2020 | Published 08/11/2015

Products Featured in This Question

Curt Friction Sway Control for Weight Distribution Systems

(327)

$67.59

Replacement Sway Control Tab for Weight Distribution System - Weld On

(32)

$19.60

Weld-On Sway Control Tab

(37)

$15.38

Curt Ball Mount w/ Sway Control Tab for 2" Hitches - 3/4" Rise, 2" Drop - 7,500 lbs

(174)

$48.74

Question:

Hi, Ive a 29foot Coachman travel trailer. Max is 7500lbs. Ive read that 2 Friction Sway Control Kits are recommended. But how is the second control mounted? Also I snapped the mount on the tongue for my left sway control. Can I get a replacement part for that or do I need to buy a whole unit? Thanks

asked by: Weston A

Expert Reply:

You are correct, adding a second sway control bar, like the Curt Friction Style Sway Control, # 17200, is recommended for trailers over 26 feet long.

You will need to use the weld-on friction sway control tab # C45822 or # 3442. It will get welded to the side of the ball mount. Welding should be performed by a qualified professional welder. Once welded on it will look like ball mount # D320 except the tab will be welded to the other side (since the plate you are using is occupying the passenger side of the ball mount).

To set up the unit for the opposite side of your trailer you will need to remove the inner piece, rotate it 180 degrees, and then reinsert it back into the main part of the unit.

If the ball mount you have currently had the sway control tab break off of it then you would need to have a new tab welded on like one of the two products I mentioned or you would need to order a new ball mount depending on how bad it broke.

If you have a weight distribution system you would need to order a new head for the system. I would need to know what brand and model system you have though to see if we carry something that would work.

expert reply by: Jameson C

Ricky R.

7/28/2020

How much surface area is need to weld the tab? I have have a system that is several years old and transferred it to a new camper. I need to add a second friction sway bar control on the drivers side. My Reese WD bar slides into holes on either side of the ball and has a notch to secure the bars and rotate to toward the camper to attach to the cam on the camper and there is not much surface area. I was hoping the top of the bar on the hitch would be flush but the top of the bar sticks up maybe 1/4 inch above the flat surface on the drivers side, so mounting it flat on that side from the ball is not possible. Can it be built up around the hole maybe 1/2 inch and weld the tab to the portion around the top of the bar?

Jon G.

8/4/2020

Since this type of application is universal and the installation is really up to the discretion of the welder you're going to need to consult a welder for this question honestly. I don't have any experience in welding but a professional who has some experience with this type of product would be able to give you some sound advice as to what would be safe.