Why do travel trailers sway

Many RVers add stability and security with anti-sway bars or weight distribution kits. Sway bars and anti-sway kits come in many shapes and varieties depending on the trailer and tow vehicle combination. In general, anti-sway kits can be dual-cam systems that hook on long bumper-pulled trailers or sway bars that work on the hitch system of the trailer. Both systems help to dynamically distribute the load more effectively to prevent the wild swaying that leads to white knuckle driving.

Weight distribution kits are most effective when the total weight of the trailer is about half the weight of the tow vehicle. Before you go Stopping your trailer from swaying begins before you go the first mile. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration: Balance the weight inside the trailer from side to side Distribute weight evenly along the length of your trailer Secure and brace all items inside the trailer to prevent shifting during travel.

Use weight distributing hitch bars for load leveling if necessary. If that sideways force is strong enough it can be more powerful than the road-tire friction for the drive wheels on the vehicle.

This can cause the tipping over or separation of the trailer and maybe even the truck or car too. 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. A mph crosswind could put as much as 3, pounds of force pushing on the side of a large trailer, according to a study on commercial vehicle towing accidents by Knott Laboratory in Loading too much gear on one side of your camper can also cause an unbalance, making them swing more dramatically once a sway starts, like a pendulum around its center of gravity.

This can also make your RV more likely to suffer a blowout , or additional braking and steering problems. Balancing weight to the forward and rear is also vital for controlled driving. However, drivers have to be careful not to exceed the tow rating of the hitch or vehicle itself. The best way to correct trailer sway is to avoid it in the first place. Several hitch designs claim to reduce sway through friction control or weight distribution.

Remember that trailer sway and whipping are considered combination disturbances, which also include improper handling of the trailer and tow vehicle, over-steering, and other deviations of the trailer or tow vehicle from their intended path due to causes such as improper loading, excessive speeds, cross winds, passing vehicles, rough roads, steering inputs, and more.

Always be alert while towing your trailer and remain aware of the conditions in which you are driving, as they can be a contributing factor for causing sway or whipping.

Be sure to have our Pre-Departure Checklist and Guide to Towing on hand to ensure you are towing safely from the start and that you can recognize the signs of sway quickly. Our monthly newsletter contains general information and marketing updates from Carry-On Trailer.

Our Owner Resources updates are sent every other month after subscription over the course of a year. These updates provide information on how to safely operate and maintain your Carry-On Trailer. Sometimes, manufacturers provide specially designed towing packages for their customers, including trailer hitch receivers and other receiver hitch accessories.

When a trailer starts swaying, the best thing to do is to keep driving slowly, maintaining a straight drive until the situation becomes stable. Freaking out while swaying will only make the situation worse. Every vehicle and trailer has its weight limit. Exceeding these limits can lead to many problems, including the chance of fishtailing. Being careful while loading your trailer can reduce sway.

Always make sure that your tow vehicle can safely handle the trailer weight. If you want to get rid of trailer sway, always avoid driving when there are extremely high winds.

Check the weather before setting out with your carrier. Avoiding strong, high winds can make your travel safer. If you ever find yourself in an area with high winds, reduce the speed of your vehicle for safe driving. Setting up a traction control system can help you in recovering control when vehicle traction is lost; with a traction control system, you can reduce the force sent to the slipping wheels while keeping your vehicle stable.

If your vehicle has an electric braking system, then you should install a brake controller. This system allows drivers to control the force sent to the trailer brakes when the vehicle foot brake is applied. In doing so, you can have manual control over your vehicle brakes, which can help you control the brake when swaying occurs.