Last Updated on September 7, 2022 by Douglas
Some experts say that the swaying is caused by a lack of weight in the trailer. Others say that it is caused by the wind.
There are some things you can do to help stop your trailer from swaying:
– Add weight to your trailer, for example, with sand or water
– Make sure that your hitch is tight
– Make sure that your tires are inflated properly and have enough tread on them
– Keep your trailer in a stable position
How do you respond to a trailer sway?
Immediately let off the gas pedal and avoid stepping on the brake pedal! Keep the steering wheel straight. Let your vehicle slow down on its own. If you have trailer brakes, you can manually apply them very gently once the speed has decreased.[1]
What helps trailer sway?
Proper Trailer Weight Distribution. Ensure that your trailer is loaded to the appropriate weight and is properly balanced to reduce trailer sway. Ensure your Trailer is not Overloaded. Use a Tow Vehicle with a Longer Wheelbase. Use a Tow Package. Avoid Sudden Movements. Slow Down.[2]
Do RV sway bars work?
Sway bars are important pieces of safety equipment for RVs. They help prevent swaying on the highway and they can even save your vehicle from a dangerous crash or rollover. Some drivers find that sway bars make it harder to turn, but overall, the extra safety is worth it.[3]
Why is my camper swaying so much?
Wind and drafts Trailer sway can be a result of crosswinds, drafts from passing semi-trucks or descending hills using incorrect braking technique, according to Mark Polk in his RV Tech Tips series on RVTravel.com. The front of trailers are aerodynamic to improve towing gas mileage, but the sides aren’t.[4]
What should you do if a trailer starts to swing from side to side?
Explanation: Strong winds or buffeting from large vehicles can cause a trailer or caravan to swing from side to side (‘snake’). If this happens, ease off the accelerator. Don’t brake harshly, steer sharply or increase your speed.[5]
How do you stop an RV from bouncing while driving?
Generally, 60% of load weight should be toward the front of the trailer. However, you must make sure that the tongue weight does not exceed 10-15% of your gross trailer weight. Lowering tire pressure can make for a smoother ride. A general rule of thumb is to reduce your pressure by half to tow an empty trailer.[6]
How do I stop my RV trailer from rocking when parked?
The best way to stop your travel trailer from rocking is by using a combination of leveling jacks which reduce up and down motion, stabilizers that reduce side to side motion, and wheel chocks to reduce any movement of the tires.[7]
What causes fishtailing when towing a trailer?
Uneven hitch weight distribution Uneven weight distribution is a significant cause of trailer swaying. If you load too much weight towards the rear of your trailer, the trailer’s rear gets overburdened. In such cases, the rear end can act as a pendulum that swings back and forth during the movement of your trailer.[8]
Can you backup a trailer with sway bars?
Friction sway control bars are designed to work fine going forward when turning or not but not designed to turn when backing up (backing up straight is fine). It can and likely will damage them because apparently the force being applied to them is different when going in reverse.[9]
What is the difference between a stabilizer bar and a sway bar?
Sway bar end links are the attachment points between a sway bar and suspension members. Also known as a stabilizer bar or anti-roll bar, the sway bar connects suspension components on either side of the car to minimize body leaning in turns.[10]
Can you tow a travel trailer without sway bars?
You do not need sway bars to tow a travel trailer unless the travel trailer’s center of mass is behind its axle. Also, some smaller trucks may need sway bars if they aren’t strong enough to resist the natural sway of the travel trailer.[11]
Can too much tongue weight cause trailer sway?
If you don’t have enough weight on the trailer tongue, the trailer may be prone to swaying from side to side, making it difficult to control. Conversely, if you have too much weight exerted on the hitch ball, the force could overload the rear tires of the tow vehicle and push the rear end of the vehicle around.[12]