What's the Difference Between a Sway bar and a Trac bar?
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- čas přidán 23. 07. 2024
- We receive a lot of questions from people from all over the country about their RV. Because of it, we are starting a NEW video series. Unfortunately, we don't have a name yet! Could you help us out? If so leave a comment. If we pick your title we will totally give you the credit in our next episode!
In this video, Tommy and Mike explain the difference between a Sway bar and a Trac Bar.
Trac (track) bars, also known as Panhard bars, control side-to-side movement, which is really horizontal, not vertical. Track bars control the yaw (vertical axis)
Sway Bars, correctly called Anti-Sway bars, reduce lean or sway, or roll. sway bars control the roll (longitudinal axis).
To learn more about these products and other common problems we solve go to our LEARNING CENTER AT:
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Henderson's LineUp/SuperSteer is a family-owned, MADE IN THE USA after-market motorhome and RV parts supplier, primarily, to the recreational vehicle, pickup truck, and commercial vehicle market. We specialize in building and distributing parts to improve your handling, suspension, steering, and braking capabilities. We see ourselves as a parts solutions center, offering a variety of products designed to address specific steering, handling, and safety concerns. - Auta a dopravní prostředky
Good explanation. Looks like a trac bar is my next item. I'd like to see more on the sprinter cutaway chassis as these Rvs need a lot of help and most people stop at the Sumo Springs only and they need more help than just sumos.
Great suggestion! We will get on that!
Thanks for all the information. Great video!
Thank you for the feedback, we are glad it was helpful!
I found Supersteer a little late. ‘19 Bounder here and of all the things I’ve added to the chassis, the trackbar made the biggest improvement. Our rig is 33’ and has a looooong overhang. The trackbar, along with Koni shocks, larger front and rear sway bars, sumo springs and steering stabilizer have all made my rig enjoyable to drive.
So happy to see it helped you! We love reading stories like yours!
Great ideas for what I need to my new/older Class A.
Glad it was helpful! Appreciate your comment. ❤️😉👍
I have a 2022 Winnebago on the F53 chassis. Luckily, the factory installed the 1-3/4 inch sway bars front and rear. I did have the Safety steer track bar installed. While it didn’t take out all the tail wag it definitely helped. That, a Safe-T-Plus and upgraded shocks all helped. Still looking for more technology to continue the improvements.
Thank you. This is a very good video that explains the difference in detail, yet simply.
Thank you for the great feedback Anthony! Stay tuned we have some new products in the works.
Good job!!!
Thanks!!
Great, I bought you guys rear trac bar for my 2022 precept, but I would love for you guys to talk about your Radius Rod I'm going back and forward between that and installing your Koni's shock.
Love it! We will add it to the list!
Great job on the new video series. As for a name suggestion, how about "Robert's Classroom."
Nice! I will let Robert know you suggested it.
Thanks! Have a 2002 Winni that needs some sway and trac love. On my list of things to do. A suggestion for a name is MOHO Enhancements.
Thanks for the idea! YOU ROCK!
I have a trac bar. Hendersons installed a larger sway bar in the rear. Coach drives very nice now.
It's great to hear our products are working for you! Thanks for your positive comment!
Ok, this is the second video that I really appreciated so I’m subscribed! I will go watch the rest of your videos. Perhaps you could address the use of track bars/sway bars on the front and back of the vehicle. I was under the impression you can use it on the front or back but not both. For context, I have a 2019 Sprinter 3500 RV and I’ve already updated the undercarriage with a Helwig Sway bar and bump stops (front & back). I’m considering shocks recommended in another of your videos and a (front/back?) track bar. When is too much and just wasting money? The sway bar & bump stops have made an incredible difference.
Thanks, that's a great question! We do touch on some of those things in our videos about the Sprinter. Much of it will come down to your specific coach though - how is it loaded, how do you like to drive, how stable do you want it to be, etc.
In the case of the Sprinter, there is only a rear trac bar available for it (our SS701), since the front has independent suspension and does not need a trac bar. In the back, the adding a trac bar will help control push from passing trucks as well as crosswinds. There currently is not a front sway bar upgrade available for the Sprinter, although there is some work being done to investigate that. Upgrading the rear sway bar does make quite a difference, as you experienced.
Adequate damping is critical on the Sprinter chassis to control that low-speed rocking. The bump stop upgrades can help with this, but in our experience we would still recommend shock upgrades in most cases. If you'd like to discuss the specifics with us, please give us a call at 888-898-3281, or email us at sales@supersteerparts.com. If you haven't already done so, we'd also encourage you to take a look at our Learning Center (supersteerparts.com/learning-center) which has several recent posts about various Sprinter upgrades we've tested.
Thanks again for the great feedback!
"On Trac Training" If you're still thinking about names! Enjoyed the video 👍👍
Good one William! Love that. We will throw that into the mix. Thanks for the idea!
Yeah, I think the track bar is next on my 2009 class C and then the sway bar. I don’t have too much sway. I have more drivability issues than sway. Thank you very very much.
You're very welcome, glad our video could help!
I would like to hear about single Koni shocks versus duel Koni shocks
Ohh I like that! Thanks for a good idea. I will add it to the mix!
Video Series name suggestion: "Steering Straight".
LOVE THAT!!! We will add it to the folder of ideas! THX!!
The Tracbar works fantastic!
Thanks for the awesome confirmation Rod. YOU ROCK!!!
@@SuperSteer I don’t understand why these bars are not installed in Production.
The difference in driving is Night and Day!
@@rodhonco5681 Well, we'd be outta business! LOL
So, if someone were to wants to incrementally improve the handling by installing all of the items available by SS both front and rear, which one helps the most from most to least? I have a W24 Workhorse and I plan to install all of your items, but need to spread them out over a bit of time to reduce the pain a bit.
Great question! I would say there's no simple answer. At the end of the day it's YOU THE DRIVER who needs to feel more comfortable. We like to solve problems and not sell parts. I highly suggest you call in and talk to one of our SuperSteer experts. Once we understand your issues we can match you to a product list that will solve your challenges. Make sense? Give us a call at: 888-898-3281
Have a 2023 alante with 2022 F53 chassis. It has the Jayride added. How does this equate to the proper install of devices to control sway and improve steering
Good question! In looking at Jayco's website, it appears that the main addition you get with Jayride is a Bilstein steering stabilizer. To my knowledge, the Bilstein product is really just a damper and does not provide the self-centering force that you would get with a Safe T Plus or Reflex stabilizer. The damping force does help reduce road shock through the column and can provide some protection in the event of a front tire blowout, but not to the extent that a spring-loaded self-centering stabilizer would.
Do the sway bar and trac bar help on pickups with truck bed campers. I have a 2022 Ram 2500 with a 9 1/2 foot Lance camper and I am getting a lot of rocking side to side. I’m thinking about getting airbags put on. I’m not sure what would be best for my situation?
There are sway bars you can use on your truck that will help. We have a video that shows us eliminating the death wobble!
As for the Roadmaster rear auxiliary Anti-Sway bar for my 2022 F53 (22,000) chassis, I see Roadmaster offers 1-1/2", 1-5/8", & 1-3/4" versions. They say the 1-1/2" has an easier install than the two thicker bars due to different mounting hardware, but I would like to hear your thoughts on the performance differences and any pros/cons to these three Roadmaster rear auxiliary Anti-Sway bars. My 2022 does already have the larger stock anti-sway bars and I also added the upgraded polyurethane bushing kit. Thx.
First off, Thank you for the feedback and the great question. As I am sure you are aware, the thicker the sway bar, the stiffer it is, and the more resistant the vehicle will be to body roll or sway during cornering or over uneven surfaces. The choice between the three sizes (1-1/2", 1-5/8", and 1-3/4") essentially boils down to a trade-off between handling performance and installation difficulty, as well as ride comfort. As the driver, how you feel at the wheel is what matters the most and that can vary from driver to driver.
I encourage you to also check out the NEW Koni EVO FSD Shocks for extra sway control. These new shocks are specifically designed for the Ford F-53 Motorhome Chassis. Its superior design boasts enhanced construction strength and advanced valve engineering. Long story short, resulting in maximum comfort! Hope that helps and thanks again for commenting!
@@SuperSteer the anti-roll (or stabilizer) bar stiffness should be chosen in combination with the vehicle mass and centre of mass height, roll stiffness of the springs at both axles, roll centre height of the suspension at both axles. Suggesting that stiffer will simply improve performance (perhaps at the expense of ride comfort) is understandable at this level of discussion, but dangerously inappropriate.
A suspension component supplier should offer a range of bar stiffnesses for the F53 chassis because the vehicle weight and other suspension components vary so greatly through the model range (from 16,000 to 26,000 pound GVWR), and because coach builders put bodies of different lengths, heights, and weights on them.
How about doing a video difference Hellwig and Roadmaster sway bars
Wow! That's an interesting idea. Let me run it past the team. Thanks for the comment!
On the Rack, your always standing under the coach....lol
oh! we never thought of that. That would be a really interesting one. Thanks for the idea!
This is what I needed so I can calm down my 36' Dolphin. Question: I have a tag axle. Does the Tag address the same longitudinal corrections that the Trac bar is intended to fix?
Great question! I would refer you over to John, our RV expert. Give him a call. He'd chat with you! Call 1-888-898-3281
No. A tag axle exists to carry some load because the drive axle can't carry enough. If the tag axle wheels don't steer, then the tag and drive axle tires fighting when the vehicle turns tends to stabilize the handling, but not at all like a lateral locating device such as a track bar.
Where are you guys located? I’d like to add track and sway bars along with sumo springs and a steering stabilizer to my Thor Axis 25.4. Any recommendations on a good shop to do so in the Tampa area?
Hi Wayne! Our service center is located in Grants Pass, Oregon. However, we work with shops across the country. In Tampa we would recommend American Frame and Axle on Causeway Blvd. If you'd like to discuss our specific recommendations please feel free to give us a call at 888-898-3281. Have a great day!
Don’t know why I didn’t see this till just now, but thanks for the reply and the recommendation. I’ll check them out!
In doing my LONG research in trying to improve my driving my RV with suspensions upgrades, I came across your channel.. I checked your website out and the one question I have on rear trac bars is - I noticed a LOT of suspension parts for Ford chassis but not much fo chevy.. I have a 2019 Jayco Redhawk 22C SE on a 2018 Chevrolet Express 4500 6.0L 5967CC V8 FI VIN: -Flex...I was wondering if you carry the Rear Trac Bar for my RV ??? Just thought I would ask..
PS....Personally I just to get rid of the feeling when a Truck flies by and tends to move my RV to the right as usual..I don't know what is best at the movement..I don't just want to spend money on a bunch of items that I might not need...Seems like a LOT of people are suggesting doing the following - 1) Sumo springs (replace the bump stop), Upgrade the sway bars(front and Rear), replace your shocks) and a steering stabilizer...That's quite a bit of money right off the bat)..When I drive I normally stay under the speed limit since my RV takes time to get up to a certain speed..Anyway, any suggestions would be helpful..Thanks again.
Thanks for your question! For what you're describing, our SS350 Rear Trac Bar as well as a Safe T Plus steering stabilizer would be a good starting point. If you'd like to discuss more, you can email sales@supersteerparts.com or call 888-898-3281 Monday through Friday, 7am to 4pm Pacific time.
@@SuperSteer In looking at your website for local installers I found a company called -Cusson Automotive Inc which is located in South Windsor CT..I'm located in Mass ..Can you confirm this ??
RV MFGs should be held accountable for selling a product that is dangerous to drive off the floor. At the very least they should offer and recommend these solutions b4 the coach leaves their lot.
We understand how you feel.
This is 100% correct.
Notices two away links one was the factory bar replacement and then the addition of the second away bar. Can’t one bar be enough with the drag link
The drag link is a front steering component. You may be referring to the rear trac bar - as we explain in the video, the trac bar is primarily designed to control side to side shift in the axle. The sway bars are designed to control body roll. Because of the high center of gravity on the F53 chassis as well as the small factory sway bars used on the V10 coaches, we find that it takes quite a bit of sway control to really settle them down. Some customers elect to get both an OEM replacement rear bar and an auxiliary rear sway bar, which really results in nice cornering.
Where are the trac bar and the 1 3/4” sway bar available
Hi Robert, you can order both the sway bar and trac bar from our e-store, supersteerparts.com, or you can call us at 888-898-3281. We also have a network of dealers who carry and install our parts across the country. Give us a call if you'd like to discuss further and we can provide recommendations! You can also reach us by email at sales@supersteerparts.com.
The question that I never get answered is why the manufacturer doesn't add a trackball? The steel that makes a trackball probably would cost the manufacturer NO more than pennies compared to the cost of the vehicle.
I'm pretty sure it's got something to do with liability. CYA because reports claim that a track bar reduces traction. It doesn't keep all tires flat on the road.
A track bar IS probably good for a monster truck all jacked up on 4 ft shocks.. but not a top heavy rv.
Hi Terry, thanks for your comment. Ford has been installing a front trac bar on the F53 since about 2007. Also, any air ride coach with a solid axle will have a trac bar installed from the factory. As long as the trac bar is installed at ride height and level, it should only benefit the handling.
I've not heard before about trac bars reducing traction... Running too stiff a sway bar for the weight of vehicle can have the effect you describe, as it can prevent the suspension from articulating enough and cause one side of the axle to lose traction. For example, a stiff sway bar on the back of a half ton empty pickup can make the rear end want to lose traction. The threshold for "too stiff" on a motorhome is quite a bit higher than on a pickup though!
Name your channel “Common Questions”
Great Idea Bruce. Thanks for the feedback.
The first few seconds (of real content) describe the effect of a stabilizer (anti-roll or anti-sway) bar well, but then the track bar (which they insist on calling a "tracbar") explanation is a complete fail. The track bar locates the chassis on the axle side-to-side. The effect on steering behaviour is indirect - the basic function of the track bar is completely missed. Then at 1:14 one of the guys goes on to give a good explanation of assisting the function of leaf springs as if the missed point had been covered.
Thanks for the reply. Appreciate the time you took to make it. To learn more about about why we call it a "tracbar" go to: supersteerparts.com/why-is-a-tracbar-important
@SuperSteer apparently you missed my point. I know what a track bar is, why it is called that, and why it may be important. I jusdon't knwhy you jawords together ( _I just don't know why you jam words together_ ) instead of just using English... it's a "track bar", not a "tracbar".
Hellwig is 60% stronger than roadmaster.
Hi Terry, can you give details on which model of sway bar you are comparing? The strength of a sway bar depends on its diameter as well as the length of its moment arms - the shorter the arms, the less leverage the chassis of the coach has to work against the bar, and the more the bar will fight the sway.
Call it F #}%53. The F is for Ford🤪
We love Ford's here because we provide the most solutions for it.