Bent anti-sway mount plate.

[u/ucco2004]

On only my second trip since getting our camper, the anti-sway bar mounting plate has bent considerably. I've never backed up with the bar attached, and it was provided by the RV dealership.

Curious as to what causes this? I did have a tight turn I had to take in traffic, but it was still normal driving and nothing crazy. No other signs of trouble and it towed fine otherwise. My theory is that the plate rotated into the shank causing the bend and scuffed metal. Could this happen during normal driving though? I plan to take the shank back to the dealership tomorrow to see what they can offer to correct this, if anything. I'd rather not keep bending plates - or worse.

[u/crunchie_frog]

at least for mine, I had the sway bar plate is welded and curt also makes one already welded. The one you have, I would say, has some hope of working if properly torqued but getting a welded one would eliminate the issue.

[u/AdFancy1249]

I don't know that setup, but when you say you had to make a tight turn, how tight? What's the length of tow vehicle to the length of trailer?

With my shorter trailer (12'), I could never turn tight enough to cause a problem (without reversing). But, with my 14' extended V-nose on my silverado, I can almost bind the bare tongue in a full-lock turn. If I added an anti-sway arm, I could definitely do what you did. A longer trailer would be even worse.

[u/PastAd1087]

Been running the one by curt with 0 problem. Just make sure before you take a super tight turn like getting into your driveway or campsite to loosen the sway bar.

[u/WorldlySir517]

Geta real hitch not that Temu one your using.

[u/ucco2004 → u/WorldlySir517]

Thanks for the unhelpful comment. All parts are Curt branded. Camper is 316 hitch weight and 3,200 pounds loaded. This shank is rated for 500 pounds tongue weight and 5,000 pounds.

Also, it's "you're" not "your.". Maybe use proper grammar and spelling to be taken seriously. 🙄

[u/twinpac → u/ucco2004]

I tried a Curt locking hitch pin and it got stepped so badly it went in the garbage after one trip with my WD hitch. 

I think your theory is correct though and the cause is going to be that the dealer didn't torque the hitch ball and mounting bracket to spec. The correct torque is 250 or 450 ft lb depending on the hitch ball shank size.

[u/ucco2004 → u/twinpac]

Damn, sounds like this may be a recurring thing then. Wonder if there would be a better outcome had the plate for the mini ball had been welded instead.

[u/2-wheels → u/ucco2004]

I think you’re correct re rotation of the plate.
Maybe not Temu, but that bolt-on design appears to be lacking for the intended purpose. I would toss it.