As you slow down, the trailer will stop swinging so violently. The risk of you losing control will depend on the overall weight of the trailer in relation to the towing vehicle. A light trailer will have less impact on how the towing vehicle moves, and vice versa. There are special towing hitches with more friction that can help reduce the risk of trailer sway. If you are doing everything right but your trailer is still swaying then you need to get it checked out as there may be an underlying problem.
Darren is an expert on driving and transport, and is a member of the Institute of Advanced Motorists. Fleet vehicles are vehicles which are owned, leased or used by a company or organisation for the purposes of work Too much tongue weight can cause many problems, including difficult handling for lack of weight on the front wheels of the towing vehicle — but too little tongue weight will lead to serious sway.
Generally, the tongue weight should be 10 to 15 percent of the total weight of your loaded trailer. As you depart, check to be sure the trailer and tow vehicle are level and parallel to the ground, indicating proper weight distribution from front to back.
While towing for the long haul, it may be impossible to avoid the impacts of weather, big trucks, and unexpected road hazards, but with a properly hitched and weighted trailer, it is simple to mitigate the impact of a big gust of wind or a sudden stop. Reduce your risks and the impact of sway by driving at a moderate pace. Speed increases the chance for trailer sway. While the front of your trailer may be aerodynamically designed, the sides are not. A sharp gust of wind — from weather or a passing semi-tractor trailer — will cause pressure against the side of your trailer causing it to pivot or sway on its hitch.
For a properly hitched and loaded trailer with an experienced or tow-smart driver behind the wheel the impact will be minimum. Stay calm, hold the wheel steady and ride out the sway, resisting the temptation to hit the brakes or steer against the sway. Resist the temptation to hit the brakes; instead lift your foot from the accelerator and hold the wheel steady as the speed decreases.
Hold your steering wheel in a straight ahead position and as soon as possible, stop and reload your trailer with the heavier portion of your cargo in the front. 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.
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