Sway bar to improve towing?

[manley]

Hi again, and thanks for all the previous input.

 

So, the new Rancho RS5000 shocks are on, and are a NOTICEABLE improvement in ride quality. I'm going to add a set of Superior helper springs as well (Superior 11-1030) to help prevent sagging under load. I've read that they don't really affect unloaded ride quality, and are a quick, cheap, & easy upgrade. Remember, my objective is to increase towing performance, not to increase GVWR, as I am well within factory specs and have my weight distributed very well.

 

I'm looking at an Addco (Addco 2397) rear sway bar, and it seems like sway bars (in general) get mixed reviews... everything from "I wouldn't be caught without them" to "what a waste."

 

My truck does have the larger front sway bar... but I wonder if the addition of a rear sway bar would help some as well? What does the collective forum wisdom say?

Thanks in advance... again!

[markw8]

I carried a 3500# truck camper on my 2000 Silverado 2500 for 9yrs. I never thought I needed a sway bar. It had adjustable Rancho shocks and Air Lift air bags. Make sure your set up and loaded properly (correct tonge wieght) and equalizer bars correct. Then tow it and see how it does.

 

Mark

[gmtech4]

from wikipedia

 

A sway bar or anti-roll bar or stabilizer bar is a part of an automobile suspension that helps reduce the roll of a vehicle that is induced by cornering or road irregularities. It connects opposite (left/right) wheels together through short lever arms linked by a torsion spring. A sway bar increases the suspension's roll stiffness—its resistance to roll in turns, independent of its spring rate in the vertical direction. The first stabilizer bar patent was awarded to the Canadian S. L. C. Coleman of Fredericton, New Brunswick on April 22, 1919.^[1]

 

i say yes to the sway bar

 

no brainer if it helps stability

[Easytide]

I cant say a sway bar will do much for towing,,thats not it,s primary job, But if you like to drive a bit ,ah,,,brisk,,,sway bars are a must have. They really do a nice job of flatening out corners. I use the Hellwig 1 1/8 rear bar on my 2000 and it certainly does make a huge difference. I also tow a 30' Proline CC....i swapped the 1500 springs out for the 2500 set and added Daystar leveling keys up front. Bridgestone 285-75-16 load range E tires and the old girl tows like a champ...but the sway bars?? those are for fun unloaded,,

[LeoS41280]

I have been wanting to put one on my truck, but just haven't gotten around to it. I did put rear bars on two rear wheel drive cars I've owned. Made a big difference in cornering.

[wranglerguy93]

I threw one on the truck. I would say it was defineitely worth it. Cornering is much better and to say brisk driving is still fun in the truck. I will say the thunk and noise it makes when you hit a bump isn't great but I know what it is so it;s not to bad just kinda weird.

[Easytide]

Yea...i wrapped the axle where the u bolts mount with a couple layers of tire tube to act as a sort of bushing,,,it takes just a wee bit of stifness out of the bar on really hard corners,,,,but i usualy dont try pretending it,s a 'vette.....it did help allot with the noise over bumps though