6 Best Anti Sway Bars For Large Fifth Wheel Stability Nomads Swear By
Boost large fifth wheel stability with a top anti-sway bar. Discover 6 nomad-approved models designed to reduce sway for a safer, controlled tow.
You feel it before you see it. A sudden gust of wind on an open highway, a semi-truck blowing past just a little too fast, and your whole world—your house on wheels—starts to shudder. That heart-in-your-throat moment is when you realize that the connection between your truck and your fifth wheel isn’t just a piece of metal; it’s your lifeline. For nomads pulling large rigs, mastering stability isn’t a luxury, it’s the foundation of a safe and stress-free life on the road.
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Why Fifth Wheel Stability is Non-Negotiable
That unnerving wiggle you feel isn’t just uncomfortable; it’s a warning sign. Trailer sway is a dangerous oscillation that can escalate in seconds, leading to a total loss of control. With a large fifth wheel, you’re managing tens of thousands of pounds, and the forces at play are immense. Crosswinds, uneven roads, and the air displacement from passing trucks can all initiate sway.
Unlike smaller travel trailers that often rely on separate friction sway control bars, a fifth wheel’s stability is engineered directly into the hitch and pin box connection. This point of contact in the truck bed is the pivot around which your entire life moves. A sloppy, loose connection magnifies every bump and gust of wind, transmitting jarring forces through both the truck and the trailer frame.
A solid connection does more than just prevent catastrophic sway. It eliminates "chucking"—that jarring back-and-forth motion you feel during starts and stops. A stable ride reduces driver fatigue, protects your belongings inside the RV from being thrown around, and minimizes long-term stress on your rig’s frame and suspension. Investing in a quality hitch system is investing in safety, comfort, and the longevity of your home.
PullRite SuperGlide: Automatic Turning Stability
If you have a short-bed truck, the fear of a cab strike during a tight turn is very real. The PullRite SuperGlide is the definitive solution for this problem. It’s not just a hitch; it’s a fully automatic sliding system that moves the trailer away from the cab as you turn, giving you the clearance you need without a second thought.
The magic is in its mechanical design. As the truck turns, a cam arm mechanism guides the hitch head and trailer back on roller bearings. There are no buttons to push or levers to pull. You just drive. This makes it a favorite for those who frequent tight campgrounds or need to make U-turns in less-than-ideal situations. It provides the turning radius of a long-bed truck without the extra wheelbase.
The tradeoff for this convenience is weight and complexity. The SuperGlide is one of the heaviest hitches on the market, and its installation is more involved than a fixed hitch. But for short-bed truck owners who want the ultimate "set it and forget it" peace of mind, many nomads swear it’s the only option they’d ever consider.
B&W Companion Hitch: The Standard for a Solid Ride
Walk through any RV park and you’ll see more B&W hitches than any other brand. There’s a reason for that: they are the benchmark for a simple, robust, and reliable connection. The B&W Companion is known for its incredible build quality and a design that prioritizes a solid, slop-free towing experience.
Its signature feature is the single-point attachment system, designed to mount into the B&W Turnoverball under-bed gooseneck system. This creates an incredibly secure connection to the truck frame, dramatically reducing the chucking and rattling common with hitches that mount on bed rails. The thick, cam-action latching jaws wrap around the kingpin securely, providing a confident "clunk" that lets you know you’re locked in.
The Companion doesn’t have the automatic sliding feature of the SuperGlide, though a manual slider version is available. Its strength lies in its simplicity and raw strength. For full-timers with long-bed trucks who prioritize a quiet, stable ride and a hitch that will likely outlast the truck itself, the B&W Companion is the undisputed standard.
Curt A25 Hitch: Advanced Articulation Control
Curt hitches are known for pushing innovation, and the A25 is a prime example. It’s designed to provide an exceptionally quiet and smooth towing experience by tackling the small movements that create noise and jarring. The key is its interlocking jaw system and a highly articulated head.
The A25’s head pivots on a cast yoke, providing multi-directional movement. This allows the hitch to absorb road shock and control chucking, resulting in a smoother ride. Its most praised feature is often the three-position color-coded coupling indicator. It gives you a clear, visual confirmation that the kingpin is properly and safely latched, removing any guesswork from the hookup process.
While B&W is known for raw simplicity, Curt focuses on refined engineering. The A25 offers a stable, secure connection with features aimed at enhancing the user experience. For RVers who are sensitive to towing noise and want that extra layer of visual confirmation during hookup, the Curt A25 is a top-tier contender that delivers a premium, well-damped ride.
MORryde Pin Box: Isolating Road Shock and Sway
Sometimes the best stability upgrade isn’t the hitch at all—it’s the pin box. The MORryde Pin Box replaces the stock pin box on your fifth wheel and introduces a rubber shear spring system. This system works like a massive shock absorber right at the point of connection, isolating your truck from the trailer’s movement.
The MORryde system is specifically designed to absorb the harsh forces of rough roads. It allows for over three inches of fore-and-aft travel, which virtually eliminates chucking. By dampening that back-and-forth energy, it reduces stress on your truck’s suspension and, more importantly, on the frame of your fifth wheel. Over thousands of miles, this can prevent costly structural fatigue and damage.
This is not a complete hitch system, but an upgrade that works with your existing hitch. It’s an ideal solution for someone who is generally happy with their hitch but wants to dramatically improve ride quality. If you feel every pothole and bridge expansion joint, the MORryde Pin Box is one of the most effective upgrades you can make for pure comfort.
Reese Goose Box: Air-Ride Smoothness and Control
The Reese Goose Box takes a different approach to a pin box upgrade by replacing the entire fifth wheel hitch assembly in your truck bed. It’s an air-ride pin box that connects directly to a gooseneck ball. This system combines an airbag with dual shock absorbers to provide an incredibly cushioned and controlled ride.
The primary benefit is ride quality. The airbag soaks up the up-and-down jarring from the road, while the shocks control the rebound, preventing the "bouncing" sensation you can get with other systems. The result is one of the smoothest towing experiences possible. A major secondary benefit is a completely clean truck bed. When you unhook, you just remove the gooseneck ball, and you have your full bed back for hauling cargo.
This system is a fantastic option for those who want a luxury-level ride and the utility of an empty truck bed. It’s important to ensure your fifth wheel manufacturer approves the use of a gooseneck-style connection, as some frame warranties can be affected. For those with the green light, the Goose Box offers an unmatched combination of smoothness and convenience.
Andersen Ultimate Connection for a Lighter Tow
The Andersen Ultimate Connection throws traditional fifth wheel hitch design out the window. Instead of a heavy steel plate and jaws, it uses a lightweight aluminum pyramid that connects to a gooseneck ball in your truck bed. A funnel on the pin box guides it onto a ball on top of the pyramid, creating a secure, low-stress connection.
The first thing nomads notice is the weight. The entire Andersen hitch weighs less than 40 pounds, making it easy for one person to install or remove in minutes. Despite its light weight, it provides an incredibly smooth and quiet ride. By moving the pivot point to the ball connection, it eliminates nearly all of the chucking and bucking associated with traditional hitches.
Some traditionalists are hesitant about the unconventional design, but it has a fiercely loyal following among those who’ve used it. It provides a fantastic ride, frees up your truck bed, and saves your back from lifting a 200-pound steel hitch. For those with medium to large fifth wheels (within its weight ratings), the Andersen is a brilliant, modern solution that challenges the status quo.
Final Checks for a Secure Fifth Wheel Connection
Even the best hitch in the world can’t compensate for a poorly prepared rig. Your stability system is more than just the hardware; it’s a combination of equipment, maintenance, and proper loading. Before you hit the road, always run through a final checklist.
First, check your weight distribution. A fifth wheel should have 15-25% of its total weight on the kingpin. Too little pin weight can cause instability and sway, while too much can overload your truck’s rear axle. Use a CAT scale to know your real-world weights. Second, inspect your tires. Ensure both truck and trailer tires are inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended cold pressure. Underinflated tires are a leading cause of blowouts and sway.
Finally, perform a physical check of your equipment.
- Tug Test: After coupling, with the landing gear still a few inches off the ground, put the truck in drive and gently pull forward to ensure the jaws are securely locked.
- Visual Inspection: Walk around and visually confirm that the hitch jaws are closed, safety pins are in place, and the umbilical cord is connected.
- Lube Plate: Make sure your lube plate is in good condition to allow the pin box to pivot smoothly on the hitch head.
No piece of gear is a magic bullet. True stability comes from combining quality equipment with diligent setup and maintenance. It’s this holistic approach that separates seasoned nomads from rookies on the road.
Ultimately, the "best" anti-sway system is the one that matches your specific truck, trailer, and towing style. Whether you prioritize the automatic convenience of a SuperGlide, the raw strength of a B&W, or the air-ride comfort of a Goose Box, the right connection transforms the towing experience from a white-knuckle ordeal into a confident journey. Choose wisely, stay vigilant with your checks, and enjoy the stable, secure ride you deserve.
