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can you tow an enclosed trailer without sway bars for a short distance?

Started by police1, March 25, 2008, 12:33:40 PM

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police1

does anyone here know if you can tow an enclosed trailer without using the sway bars for a short distance? i just bought a 32' car hauler but don;t have the sway bar set up. a frined of mine is supposed to get me one cheap but i need to get this trailer before he can. i do have a duelly to pull it with. thanks guys!! :scratchchin: :scratchchin:

Blown70

If speaking of what I am thinking ... no you should be fine.  I towed 28 footer  350miles with out them.... :brickwall:

Troy

You're pulling with a dually? I probably wouldn't worry about pulling an empty trailer without sway bars.

Troy
Sarcasm detector, that's a real good invention.

police1

thanks guys. i just wanted to make sure. i have an open car trailer and it pulls it like nothings there but ive never had an elcosed one before...

resq302

Are you talking about sway bars to prevent the trailer from going side to side or weight distribution bars that focus more of the weight to the center part of the towing vehicle?  I have towed our current 24' enclosed trailer up from south jersey where we bought the car without the weight distribution bars with no problem.  We since got the weight distribution bars for the trailer last year and it is a night and day difference towing with the vehicle in the trailer now.  You only need them if you are towing something over 5000 total combined pounds (trailer plus car).  I might be wrong on that though.  However, having towed our trailer with them and without them, they are a god send.  If we were towing the trailer without a car inside, we would probably just not use them but if there was some kind of weight inside, I would use them.
Brian
1969 Dodge Charger (factory 4 speed, H code 383 engine,  AACA Senior winner, 2008 Concours d'Elegance participant, 2009 Concours d'Elegance award winner)
1970 Challenger Convert. factory #'s matching red inter. w/ white body.  318 car built 9/28/69 (AACA Senior winner)
1969 Plymough GTX convertible - original sheet metal, #'s matching drivetrain, T3 Honey Bronze, 1 of 701 produced, 1 of 362 with 440 4 bbl - auto

Blown70

Quote from: resq302 on March 25, 2008, 03:19:45 PM
Are you talking about sway bars to prevent the trailer from going side to side or weight distribution bars that focus more of the weight to the center part of the towing vehicle?  I have towed our current 24' enclosed trailer up from south jersey where we bought the car without the weight distribution bars with no problem.  We since got the weight distribution bars for the trailer last year and it is a night and day difference towing with the vehicle in the trailer now.  You only need them if you are towing something over 5000 total combined pounds (trailer plus car).  I might be wrong on that though.  However, having towed our trailer with them and without them, they are a god send.  If we were towing the trailer without a car inside, we would probably just not use them but if there was some kind of weight inside, I would use them.

YEA that 350mile trip I had was with a SUPER BEE in the trailer.... Let me tell you I used both lanes of the Feeway often!!

police1

the trailer is about 20 miles from my house. i just want to get it home then i'll get it all set up nice for towing. i was just curious if i can get away with just hitching it up and getting it home..

resq302

Quote from: Blown70 on March 25, 2008, 03:24:17 PM
Quote from: resq302 on March 25, 2008, 03:19:45 PM
Are you talking about sway bars to prevent the trailer from going side to side or weight distribution bars that focus more of the weight to the center part of the towing vehicle?  I have towed our current 24' enclosed trailer up from south jersey where we bought the car without the weight distribution bars with no problem.  We since got the weight distribution bars for the trailer last year and it is a night and day difference towing with the vehicle in the trailer now.  You only need them if you are towing something over 5000 total combined pounds (trailer plus car).  I might be wrong on that though.  However, having towed our trailer with them and without them, they are a god send.  If we were towing the trailer without a car inside, we would probably just not use them but if there was some kind of weight inside, I would use them.

YEA that 350mile trip I had was with a SUPER BEE in the trailer.... Let me tell you I used both lanes of the Feeway often!!

Again, they mainly help when you have a load in the trailer (Super Bee or whatever kind of cargo you have)
Brian
1969 Dodge Charger (factory 4 speed, H code 383 engine,  AACA Senior winner, 2008 Concours d'Elegance participant, 2009 Concours d'Elegance award winner)
1970 Challenger Convert. factory #'s matching red inter. w/ white body.  318 car built 9/28/69 (AACA Senior winner)
1969 Plymough GTX convertible - original sheet metal, #'s matching drivetrain, T3 Honey Bronze, 1 of 701 produced, 1 of 362 with 440 4 bbl - auto

police1

i appreciate all you guys and your help on this. once i get it back here then i can get everything set.... :cheers:

suntech

A 20 mile trip, and with a dually to pull it, i would not worry for a second!!!! If it is swaying, just go a little slower :shruggy:
The trick is simply to have the CG in the trailer as far forward as you can, without going to heavy on the tongue, and do not have any heavy items far behind the axles, cuz then you will get a "slingshot " effect from it, and it will sway earlier.
Since we only live once, and all this is not just a dressed rehearsal, but the real thing............ Well, enjoy it!!!!

Blown70


Quote

Again, they mainly help when you have a load in the trailer (Super Bee or whatever kind of cargo you have)
Quote

Ohhh I know that..... just stating when you do not have them on with a load it is a lot of fun to drive!!

resq302

Quote from: Blown70 on March 26, 2008, 08:53:33 AM

Quote

Again, they mainly help when you have a load in the trailer (Super Bee or whatever kind of cargo you have)
Quote

Ohhh I know that..... just stating when you do not have them on with a load it is a lot of fun to drive!!

I agree.  It can be done.  But much safer with the weight distribution system on there though.  Also makes braking and control a lot easier I have found.
Brian
1969 Dodge Charger (factory 4 speed, H code 383 engine,  AACA Senior winner, 2008 Concours d'Elegance participant, 2009 Concours d'Elegance award winner)
1970 Challenger Convert. factory #'s matching red inter. w/ white body.  318 car built 9/28/69 (AACA Senior winner)
1969 Plymough GTX convertible - original sheet metal, #'s matching drivetrain, T3 Honey Bronze, 1 of 701 produced, 1 of 362 with 440 4 bbl - auto