Trailer Sway Safety

There’s nothing quite as scary as having your trailer sway precariously back and forth while on the road. You can feel powerless to stop what might be a big problem and not know what you can do but watch. Trailer sway can be a serious issue for trailer owners and can make even the thought of hitching a trailer an obstacle. Those new to hitching and hauling with a trailer might need some help to get up to speed on how to do so safely in order to avoid this swaying. The causes are varied, so it takes experience and know how to find the right solution.

Here at Golden Gait Trailers and RVs, we know how anxiety-inducing trailer towing can be. There can be a lot to worry over, and at the end of the day you have to give up a bit of control to the hitching mechanism in place. We’ve put together a short guide to help those worried about trailer sway. Read on for more information, and when you’re ready, head into our Concord, North Carolina location near Raleigh, Columbia, and Greensboro. Our knowledgeable and courteous staff is ready to answer all your trailer sway and other RV and trailer questions.

Preventative Measures

There are a few things you can do before getting on the road to prevent trailer sway. Start with some of the basics of your pre-drive check. Ensure tires are correctly pressurized and weight is evenly distributed. Check tongue weight and don’t overload the trailer, tow vehicle, or tongue.

Tongue Weight

Make sure 10 to 12 percent of the trailers weight is on the tongue. This is the most common cause for trailer sway. You can weigh your trailer by taking it to a commercial scale (at truck stops or material supply). Once you have a weight measure, remove some items or redistribute the weight as necessary. Place heavier cargo at the front of the trailer, center the cargo left-to-right, and use reinforcements to tie down the cargo and prevent them from moving around.

Friction Sway Control Device

These upgrades reduce the strength of sudden wind gusts and sharp turning by applying resistance to the trailer and vehicle with respect to each other. They are available in three different styles, and should be used in trailers that have a low tongue weight percentage. Higher tongue-weight trailers should be fitted with devices on each side of the hitch. What’s great about these devices is that you can easily make adjustments after the trailer is hitched and you’re on the road, so if weather conditions get rough or you’re experiencing some extra instability, you can make an adjustment and keep on truckin’.

Avoid Windy Conditions

Perhaps it’s not the fanciest method to avoid trailer sway, but since windy conditions are the second biggest cause of sway, there’s really nothing better you can do beyond that which is detailed above. Of course, it’s not practical to just avoid wind — it’s sort of just going to be out there. However, you can do a few things to keep safe when there are gusty conditions around you. First, when you do experience trailer sway, don’t slam on the brakes. Reduce speed slowly, and focus on applying trailer brakes first. Steady the wheel and don’t make sudden turns or steer out of the sway. Don’t increase speed either! Pull off the road and evaluate the cause of the sway. If it’s high winds, consider waiting until conditions improve. If the issue can’t be solved, you might be in for a roadside assistance call. Whatever you do, don’t drive if trailer sway continues!

With a bit of preparation, planning, and practice, you’ll be on your way to avoid future incidents of trailer sway. If you run into any other trouble on the road while hauling your trailer, or you just want to check out a great selection of trailers and RVs, head to Golden Gait Trailers and RVs in Concord, North Carolina. We’re proud to serve Raleigh, Columbia, and Greensboro. Come in today to discover the true meaning of customer satisfaction.