Errol Strummer
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1959 Airflyte
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Post by Errol Strummer on Jul 2, 2013 20:43:05 GMT -8
Has anyone ever seen sway bars on an old shasta like a 1962 or earlier? Is it even possible to install them on the original tongue? just thought that this would be a good thread.
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youngfd
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Post by youngfd on Jul 2, 2013 21:13:51 GMT -8
I drilled and tapped my tongue on my 1959 Shasta for a sway bar. Will get pics.
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Errol Strummer
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1959 Airflyte
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Post by Errol Strummer on Jul 2, 2013 21:18:38 GMT -8
I drilled and tapped my tongue on my 1959 Shasta for a sway bar. Will get pics. Awesome would love to see pic's of that.
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youngfd
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Post by youngfd on Jul 4, 2013 7:20:54 GMT -8
Can not get picture to attach. Please email me at Youngfd1 at Juno.com
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Ten
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70 Shasta 16SC + 1964 Airflyte
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Post by Ten on Jul 4, 2013 7:54:30 GMT -8
I don't believe my '64 Airflyte had any sway or W/D mounts on it. My 1970 had one installed on it when I bought it, not sure if it was equipped from the factory with it. It also had the hangers for the chains on a weight-distribution hitch. (Just behind the tank rack in this photo.) My 1969 Compact had the ball mounted for a sway control, but I believe that was an add-on item.
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Post by bigbill on Jul 4, 2013 8:22:45 GMT -8
Yes that is a Reese sway bar that was added. Normally used with an equalizer hitch which had a matching ball welded to the side of the receiver. If you tightened it to tight the trailer wouldn't turn properly. There was a fine line between helping in a cross wind and not allowing a sharp turn like backing into a space. I have seen them shear off the mounting bolts if adjusted to tight. I think I have an almost new one in the barn that is forty or so years old. Many people confuse sway bars with the spring bars for a equalizing hitch which is an entirely different thing.
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timmys
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Post by timmys on Jul 4, 2013 8:41:42 GMT -8
Yes that is a Reese sway bar that was added. Normally used with an equalizer hitch which had a matching ball welded to the side of the receiver. If you tightened it to tight the trailer wouldn't turn properly. There was a fine line between helping in a cross wind and not allowing a sharp turn like backing into a space. I have seen them shear off the mounting bolts if adjusted to tight. I think I have an almost new one in the barn that is forty or so years old. Many people confuse sway bars with the spring bars for a equalizing hitch which is an entirely different thing. Interesting bigbill I think that answers my ? Do you happen to have any photos of equalizing bars installed on a old shasta? My Inlaws have them on there 09' airstream Bambi and they work awesome not sure if there are necessary on such a light trailer like mine , there's weighs twice as much as mine.
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Post by bigbill on Jul 4, 2013 9:10:46 GMT -8
Equalizing hitches are required if your tow vehicle won't sit near a normal height with the trailer hooked up. your vehicle shouldn't drop over three inches with the trailer on the hitch as a rule of thumb. What an equalizing hitch does is transfer part of the hitch weight back on to the trailer. Most larger vehicles can tow a smaller Shasta without an equalizing hitch. Usually starts to be required on some vehicles for trailers above 16 feet or when hitch weight exceeds 300 lb. also you have to consider the load you are going to carry in the back of the vehicle and in the front of the trailer. Example you hitch trailer up with nothing in the back of the tow vehicle and it looks fine, now you are ready to go camping and you put 4 or 5 hundred pounds of Stuff in the back of the vehicle (ice chest, fire wood, beer, pop, and everything else in the house plus your mother in-law) and hook up the trailer and the vehicle now drags the ground, you need an equalizing hitch. So as you can see everybody is different. I have towed large trailers behind a one ton truck with a class 5 hitch with a regular hitch. Years ago we towed a 14 foot alum boat behind a VW beetle and it had a small one bar equalizing hitch. Hope this helps. I don't have any pictures but it would look very much the same has your in-laws big trailer, you control the amount of lift by how many chain links you drop.
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hoosierpoet
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Post by hoosierpoet on Jul 17, 2013 14:50:47 GMT -8
Bigbill, you seem to have a pretty good knowledge of equalizer hitches. We have a '61 Airflyte, which is 16' (total length) and about 1800 dry weight. Tow vehicle is a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder 4x4. We have about a 6" drop on the hitch right now, and the trailer sits level. So, should we get an equalizer setup, or not? We've been looking at them, just haven't been sure if we'd really benefit from one.
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Post by bigbill on Jul 17, 2013 15:55:43 GMT -8
Bigbill, you seem to have a pretty good knowledge of equalizer hitches. We have a '61 Airflyte, which is 16' (total length) and about 1800 dry weight. Tow vehicle is a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder 4x4. We have about a 6" drop on the hitch right now, and the trailer sits level. So, should we get an equalizer setup, or not? We've been looking at them, just haven't been sure if we'd really benefit from one. If the vehicle sits level when trailer is hooked up you most likely do not need an equalizer hitch. YOU DO NEED a hitch rated to handle your total loaded load plus a safety margin. I personally use a class four hitch as a min starting point your trailer is light probably has a 200lb or less hitch weight and loaded most likely won't go over 2500 lb gross . You should have trailer brakes that work to tow that load and they are required in most states. Also make sure that you have a pair of safety chains and hooks that will hold the trailer if the hitch came loose. An equalizer hitch is to allow the tow vehicle to sit near normal, it is used to raise the rear of your pathfinder if it needs it. Hope this helps.
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hoosierpoet
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Post by hoosierpoet on Jul 17, 2013 16:01:21 GMT -8
Yes, it helps a lot! Our brakes are another issue - somebody disconnected the round plug, and installed a "standard" flat one. Not completely sure how to hook them up again...
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Post by bigbill on Jul 17, 2013 16:16:13 GMT -8
google Kelsey Hayes electric trailer brakes and you should find information there on how to check out an repair them . then you will need an electric brake controller on the tow vehicle there are many different kinds so google them and do your research. If you trailer brakes are bad places like tractor supply sells complete new replacement kits usually cheaper than buying rebuild parts.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2013 17:00:55 GMT -8
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hoosierpoet
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Post by hoosierpoet on Jul 17, 2013 17:38:06 GMT -8
Schweet, I did know your maiden trip turned out rather badly. Thanks so much for all the info - the brakes are going to be my hubby's project (I get the rest of the trailer!) so I'll send him a link to this thread and he can do the research. He is an over-the-road driver, he needs something to read for entertainment anyway!
We do actually have a controller off an old pickup truck that we own, so maybe he can adapt that and get it all set up without any major expense. Would be nice... (Thanks for the help, it is much appreciated!)
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Post by bigbill on Jul 17, 2013 18:18:53 GMT -8
If it hooks to the brakes fluid system it is not compatible with anti lock brakes on later model vehicles they now use a weight that senses brake application, much easier to install no fluid connections.
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