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Torsion/anti-sway bars

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dragonfly's r-pod View Drop Down
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    Posted: 17 Jun 2009 at 3:59am
We tow with a Jeep Liberty and have a 171.  We purchased a sway controller and my husband said it made a world of difference.  Being a truck driver his safety instinct kicked in.< id="gwProxy" ="">< ="jsCall;" id="jsProxy" ="">
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote matt Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Jun 2009 at 3:15am
I purchased a friction device with my 172 when I picked it up.  The guys at Couch's installed it.
 
My feelings are like some of the other posts - it's not needed so much for your operation; it's more a good safety device for when you are passed by a tractor trailer on the highway. 
 
May not be needed depending on where you plan to travel, but for less than 1% of the purchase price of your pod, why not have one?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Wyn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Jun 2009 at 7:21pm
I am a believer in Safety First and have been towing campers since 1985.  The R-Pod is a very stable trailer, however, I use a Reese friction anti-sway bar to ensure the trailer tracks properly.  It only takes one gust of wind to hit the trailer the right way, or for a tractor trailer to pass at high speed to create sway in a trailer, so I use the anti-sway bar for peace of mind and for the extra degree of safety it provides.  An accident avoided is worth the small effort it takes to intall the anti-sway device. 
Wyn & Gail
R-171
Hudson Valley, NY
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote geneowens Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Jun 2009 at 12:40am
I towed my 171 from Ohio to NC with no special devices. I towed my previous Fun Finder 189 which weighs maybe 1000 pounds more than the 171 with nothing other than the standard receiver hitch. Neither trailer swayed at all at interstate speeds. I used to hurt my back messing with weight distrubution hitches and am very happy to have a smaller lighter weight trailer which does not require such.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote yizit Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Jun 2009 at 6:55pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfeyBxuIZOU&NR=1

Here's a web site that explains more about sway control and how important it is to have everything set up properly.
Former owner of 2009 Rpod 172
Darlene & Jim, Ewok our Lhasa
Roada our 2004 Roadtrek 190P Conversion Van
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote David and Danette Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Jun 2009 at 5:48pm
   If the trailer is properly loaded I don"t think you will need a swaybar. We have a 171 and its set up for a swaybar and we never use it. I would try it first before drilling holes in your frame for the swaybar hitch ball.   David and Danette
SWFL   171
2010 Jeep Liberty
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote rabuol Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Jun 2009 at 7:43am
Anybody use torsion/anti-sway bars to pull the rp 171 ?
 
I'll be pulling mine (picking it up on July 06) using a Mazda B 4000 4X4  (V6, automatic) which the same as a Ranger Ford pick-up.
 
Do I really need torsion anti-sway bars ????
 
Thanks for your 2 cents on this.
 
Lou
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