Sway reduction devices/ bike racks

[orion33]

Anyone out there able to tow a 12ft fleetwood/coleman with a storage trunk without a sway device? If so, how does it travel?

Also, if you do use sway control, is it possible to use a hitch mounted bike rack?

We are considering purchasing a larger PU and want to figure this stuff out.

Thanks

[Venatic]

We have a Coleman Westlake and I won't tow it without a sway bar. I did one time on a short trip and had problems with sway a couple of times. Luckily, it was small, but it caught my attention.

We've also towed with bike rack inbetween without any problems. Sway attached of course.

I'm towing with a full size pickup, so it can handle a little more weight.

Get the sway bar. It's cheap insurance.

[zamboni]

Anyone out there able to tow a 12ft fleetwood/coleman with a storage trunk without a sway device? If so, how does it travel?

Our last popup was a 10-foot Starcraft (only #1800, so much lighter than our current Niagara w/trunk).  It did not have a sway bar.

When my parents gave us the Coleman, I first tried to tow it without the sway bar, since my hitch had not yet been modified.

Whoa.  At 52 MPH, things were stable.  At about 55, they were fine - unless there was a curve in the road, passing truck, etc.  No chance of going over 55.  I quickly had my hitch modified and since then, can easily tell if the sway bar is not "tight enough".  With the sway bar, I can cruise at 70 easily on a smooth highway (don't normally - affects gas mileage!)

Best investment ever for the big Coleman's... considering it is an "optional" device!

[AustinBoston]

Anyone out there able to tow a 12ft fleetwood/coleman with a storage trunk without a sway device? If so, how does it travel?

Also, if you do use sway control, is it possible to use a hitch mounted bike rack?

We are considering purchasing a larger PU and want to figure this stuff out.

Thanks

If you are new to towing, you do not want to tow a 12 foot F/C without sway control.  The hitch mounted bike rack could work, depending on design (there is one that clamps on to the draw bar that would be fine).  The kind that extends the length of the draw bar will not.  They not only increase the risk of sway, but they dramatically increase the effect of tongue weight, of which you would have plenty.

Austin

[orion33]

We have a Coleman Westlake and I won't tow it without a sway bar. I did one time on a short trip and had problems with sway a couple of times. Luckily, it was small, but it caught my attention.

We've also towed with bike rack inbetween without any problems. Sway attached of course.

I'm towing with a full size pickup, so it can handle a little more weight.

Get the sway bar. It's cheap insurance.

Thanks for the info. What type of bike rack did you have in between and how was it attached?

We are downsizing from a 30' (if we sell) so I'm used to a big load, but sway is well controlled.

[tlhdoc]

I have the Pro Rac bike rack which is mounted to the frame of my PU (right next to the trunk).  I use a friction sway bar and it does NOT interfere with the bike rack.
 
PS: my pu has a 10 foot box and front storage trunk