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Post by hoosierpoet on Jun 16, 2013 18:25:25 GMT -5
I have a question about sway bars and our towing setup. Mainly, do we need them? We have a '61 Airflyte - about 1850 pounds dry weight, not sure about the tongue weight. Our tow vehicle is a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. With a 5 or 6 inch drop on the hitch (I think it's 6?), the trailer is perfectly level. So the weight seems to be nicely distributed. We towed it home from Michigan to Southern Indiana with no sway problems. But we're planning a two-week, 6-state trip in September. Should we look into some sort of spring-loaded sway bar setup? Also, we have no idea of how to set up the trailer brakes, do we even need them? My husband tends to think they are unecessary, I feel a little concerned though. (After all, why would they be there in the first place if they're not needed?) The tires are good-quality trailer tires, BTW, we bought them brand new. And the bearings are good. Any advise would be much appreciated!
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Post by bigbill on Jun 16, 2013 20:22:45 GMT -5
Sway bars are your option if no sway not needed .You should have a minimum of 10% of the total loaded trailer weight on the hitch to prevent sway. As for brakes each state has its own laws and you need to be legal or if involved in an accident you could found at fault no matter what.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2013 20:29:58 GMT -5
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Post by schweetcruisers on Jun 16, 2013 21:41:47 GMT -5
I'll let you know in one week, I have the same 2005 Pathfinder with same drop and same 61 Airflyte. I did however add airlift airbags to my rear springs because of the soft springs in my Pathy.
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Post by hoosierpoet on Jun 16, 2013 21:58:32 GMT -5
I'll let you know in one week, I have the same 2005 Pathfinder with same drop and same 61 Airflyte. I did however add airlift airbags to my rear springs because of the soft springs in my Pathy. Cool! Does your Airflyte have brakes? If so, how did you hook them up? If there are legalities involved, I may need to get my husband involved in this project and get them hooked up and functioning... |
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Post by schweetcruisers on Jun 16, 2013 22:20:10 GMT -5
Mine does have brakes and they do work now! However I have yet to get a brake controller so I am not going to have them on my first trip. Trailer brake laws vary from state to state, in Colorado You don't need them until the trailer is 3500lbs?! Funny thing is my work trailer weighs 4300lbs, it was bought here and spent it entire 11 years in Colorado and it never had brakes. Go figure.
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Post by bigbill on Jun 16, 2013 22:37:44 GMT -5
Each state is different some as low as 1500 lbs. AAA used to have a listing available you might check with them. Also watch speed laws some states are hard on trailers.
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