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Topic: Hellwig Rear Sway Bar (Model: 7180) - Review (Read 742 times) previous topic - next topic
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Hellwig Rear Sway Bar (Model: 7180) - Review
For about a year or so, I've pondered the pro's and con's of installing an aftermarket rear sway bar.  I've probably read all the posts on the LDO forum about this topic, countless more on another RV forum, and watched a good many YouTube videos.
 
I finally decided that the only real downside was probably the expense while improved handling could be worthwhile.  So I ordered a Hellwig Rear Sway Bar (1997-2017 Ford E40 & E450 Super Duty Cut-A-Way Chassis - REAR Sway Bar (1...) from SD Truck Springs for $262.49 with no sales tax and free shipping.  The sway bar arrived a couple of days ago and yesterday, Margee and I removed the OEM sway bar which was easy enough.  The rubber bushings were very worn and all the bolts seemed a bit loose.  I doubt it was working anywhere near 100% as a result.   This part has about 52,000 miles on it.

As many already know, the OEM sway bar is not as stout as aftermarket replacements.  The Hillwig is reported to weigh 80 lbs which might be twice that of the OEM.  Certainly, every part of this Hillwig sway bar is more robust as compared to the original.

The installation instructions were straightforward.  The most difficult part was lifting the 80 lbs bar while under the LD.  How difficult?  Both DW and I have knees, elbows, necks, and backs with new sore spots.   We should have used a small tire jack but instead used stacked 2X4's to gain the height we needed to insert the four (4) new bolts. 

After we cleaned up, took a couple of Aleve and a short nap, we went for a 30 mile test drive in and around town and then out on the freeway without towing the Subaru.  It's difficult for me to describe the improvement in the handling of our LD.  We both could tell that the rear of the coach is calmer or has less movement in all the usual kind of driving situations like passing vehicles, rolling bumps, corners, etc.  We didn't find the LD ride to be more rough or harsh.   The coach just seems calmer, which certainly helps the drive-ability of the E450.  Next week, we're going on a short 200 mile trip and we're eager to see how the new sway bar works while towing the Subaru.  So we're glad we made this change.

If we're pleased with the improved handling, we'll probably leave the front alone until that part wears out.   I'd like to suggest that if your LD has the OEM rear sway bar then you might want to check for loose bolts and worn rubber bushings.

Hope this is helpful.
Re: Hellwig Rear Sway Bar (Model: 7180) - Review
Reply #1 –
Good report Ed.  I put a Helwig heavy duty sway bar in my F350 hauling a 3600lb. Lance Camper and was positively impressed by the improvement.
I've been toying with the idea of putting one in the Lazy Daze, so your report is interesting to me.

HD
2014 27 MB
Towd: Either the Jeep Wrangler or trailer containing the BMW R1200GS and 2 E-bicycles
Happy wife=Happy life
Re: Hellwig Rear Sway Bar (Model: 7180) - Review
Reply #2 –
Quote from: Traxless  - 
If we're pleased with the improved handling, we'll probably leave the front alone until that part wears out.   I'd like to suggest that if your LD has the OEM rear sway bar then you might want to check for loose bolts and worn rubber bushings.

I would at least recommend you replace the front sway bar bushings - use polyurethane and they will improve handling over the oem when it was new. Also, upgrading the bushings in the rear would have yielded a big improvement. Upgrading the whole sway bar assembly at just one end could have adverse handling effects in emergency maneuvers by introducing too much rear roll stiffness.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Hellwig Rear Sway Bar (Model: 7180) - Review
Reply #3 –
The E450 is hard on the shock's upper bushings and the sway bar bushings.
The front and rear sway bar bushings can be worn out at 50,000 miles.
When replaced in our LD, the change was noticeable.

The shock bushings can last the life of the shock but they need to be periodically tightened.
I see loose and blown front  upper shocks regularly, finding four damaged shock bushings among our small camping group, at last weekend's LD Caravan Club's Ventura GTG.
Loose shock bushings can cause bounciness, sway and may be very noisy. Many shocks are replaced when all they need is either the bushings tightened or replaced, either way, a much cheaper repair.

For a lot more information on the bushings, read my posting made several years ago.
Low buck suspension improvements for higher mileage LDs

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Hellwig Rear Sway Bar (Model: 7180) - Review
Reply #4 –
Quote from: Steve  - 
Upgrading the whole sway bar assembly at just one end could have adverse handling effects in emergency maneuvers by introducing too much rear roll stiffness.

The above information is not good news and is now something we need to consider.  We might have considered replacing both sway bars at the same time had I known this could be a serious problem.  I'm going to give Steve my DW's phone number so he can call her with this update!  ;)

On the other hand, that old 52,000 mile OEM couldn't have been all that "safe" either in an emergency maneuver.  This recent upgrade should at least have improved our condition.  

It is what it is for now.

Re: Hellwig Rear Sway Bar (Model: 7180) - Review
Reply #5 –
"Upgrading the whole sway bar assembly at just one end could have adverse handling effects in emergency maneuvers by introducing too much rear roll stiffness."

Jim Statkus owner of Statkus RV and Truck chassis shop in Albuquerque NM has been repairing RV's his entire life. 
He strongly recommends and installed on both my LD's upgraded rear sway bars.  The improvement was instantly noticeable.  (He also recommends and installed Steer Safe for me.)
Re: Hellwig Rear Sway Bar (Model: 7180) - Review
Reply #6 –
Other's experience may be contrary to mine, but installing only the rear HD Helwig on my truck and camper significantly reduced sway and roll when semi's passed me.  There was no adverse effect at all.  It was a great improvement.

I'm still considering adding one to the Lazy Daze, since the motorhome does not handle as well as the truck camper on the road.

On the other hand, I never experienced an evasive maneuver with the rig.  An evasive maneuver with a 4X4 truck and a heavy camper is going to be unpleasant and dangerous under any circumstances.  I can't imagine that it would be a whole lot better in a 13,000 lb. motorhome.
HD
2014 27 MB
Towd: Either the Jeep Wrangler or trailer containing the BMW R1200GS and 2 E-bicycles
Happy wife=Happy life
Re: Hellwig Rear Sway Bar (Model: 7180) - Review
Reply #7 –
Quote from: Bob Siegel  - 
"Upgrading the whole sway bar assembly at just one end could have adverse handling effects in emergency maneuvers by introducing too much rear roll stiffness."

Jim Statkus owner of Statkus RV and Truck chassis shop in Albuquerque NM has been repairing RV's his entire life. 
He strongly recommends and installed on both my LD's upgraded rear sway bars.  The improvement was instantly noticeable.  (He also recommends and installed Steer Safe for me.) 

Just to clarify:  Jim statkus did NOT recommend or install upgraded FRONT sway bars.
Re: Hellwig Rear Sway Bar (Model: 7180) - Review
Reply #8 –
As posted above Margee and I installed a rear Hellwig sway bar last week.  During our recent 225 mile trip, we really had a better opportunity to understand how it effects the LD.    First, we've found that when we're parked, the stiffer sway bar means less movement inside the LD and that was a nice discovery.    While driving in town and on back grounds, the stiffer sway bar translates into a more planted rear end of the coach and we can feel the difference during cornering and bumps.  The coach is simply calmer while driving.

When I would drive on the freeway with the OEM sway bar, passing large trucks traveling at 70 mph or more would create an air wave and it would push the rear of the coach towards the side of the road.  Then the front of the coach would want to swing towards the passing truck and the movement was pronounced.  The Hellwig has changed that dynamic.  The air wave does NOT push the rear of the coach but instead gently pushes the front of the LD away from the passing truck, but not all the time.  This action is not at all alarming and is just a subtle push to the right.  While driving at 60-65 mph, we're tracking straight without any wandering on the road.  The LD drives straight with hardly any steering corrections.  Steering feels tight.  So right now we have HD Bilstein shocks front and rear, +5 degrees of caster, a rear Hellwig sway bar, OEM steering damper, and OEM front sway bar.  Tire pressure is set according to the Michelin TP chart for our front & rear axle weights.

Both Margee & I would rank the new rear sway bar right up as one of our best upgrades and much better than the toilet seat.  Please let me know if you have any questions.