You'll have to watch this episode of Motor MythBusters and see what the team finds out. One important thing to examine is whether your tow vehicle is matched to the right size trailer. I was pulling unloaded from the dealer, I found going down the highway (and after adjusting WDH from 9 links to 10) the trailer would occasionally sway a couple inches then come back in line. Know how much trailer sway is normal. 5 Common Reasons of Camper Trailer Swaying and Tips to Fix it Photo: Jordan Scott. Ideally, youll be familiar with the idea of trailer sway, so you know how to respond when you experience it. As you increase your speed, the chances of getting into a dangerous trailer sway accident goes up. Jason is an avid lover of RVs and the RV lifestyle. Good luck! (https://youtu.be/GWJ4Iy6ek24), Sway Control (https://youtu.be/bDl24M_803E). Do notapply your brakes or speed up. The bumper on our 2004 ford ranger XLT is a level-ii trailer hitch receiver rated at 2,000 pounds with a tongue weight of 200 pounds. CORROSION-RESISTANT. If youre often experiencing swaying in your RV, you might look at what the distribution of weight is like in your RV. How Much Sway Is Normal/acceptable? This tip goes for traveling in any vehicle but especially when towing a travel trailer. When you're towing a trailer or RV, you can expect a little movement, especially when you go over bumps in the road. Loading your trailer properly is arguably more important than using the correct tow vehicle. A persistent side to side swaying motion is not normal and could likely lead to whipping if speed increases. However, even a properly loaded trailer can still experience swaying. If you begin to feel that uneasy back-and-forth rocking movement, something's wrong. Don't make any sudden steering maneuvers. I have towed several campers over the years and you are correct in saying not to apply the brakes in the tow vehicle when swaying starts. Well send you the 50 Best Free Campsites in the USA (one per state). . This helps avoid the rear of the RV being too heavy, which often causes sway. Ask the Expert: What Should Be Done if the Trailer Sways? - U-Haul Additionally, it's important to always have a spare tire in case of a flat. It can cause some serious issues for you and other drivers while youre traveling. This helps to prevent the front wheels of the tow vehicle from lifting up which can lead to poor steering and stopping power. By being mindful of weight distribution, you'll not only be able to enjoy a safer journey, but also make your trip more comfortable for you and your passengers. Shift where you store heavier items. It's essential to check your vehicle's owner manual to ensure your vehicle is configured to handle the trailer you want to attach. Sign up to the MotorTrend App today to watch every episode of Motor MythBusters and more! Today we want to take a closer look at what might cause your RV to sway so much on the interstate and how you can help minimize it. How To Stop Travel Trailer Sway - RVBlogger The first thing to get rid of most sway problems is by adjusting the hitch you have installed on your vehicle. Related: Sign up to the MotorTrend App today for a free trial and get caught up on every episode of Motor MythBusters! What are Trailer Sway Bars and are They Necessary? To avoid this, it's crucial to understand the total weight of your trailer and all the items placed inside when hitching it to your vehicle. The anecdotal evidence suggests improvement (more feedback from Ford owners than Titans). RV sway is exactly what its name implies. Copyright 2023, Beck Insurance Agency. Mount the sway control ball to the hitch. This puts too much stress on the frame of the travel trailer, which can result in irreversible damage. Putting too much weight in the rear increases the chances that you experience trailer sway. Dont brake or accelerate, but allow the vehicle to slow down on its own eventually. Even if youre hours from your destination, dont drive faster. Semis Passing Causing Motorhome To Sway - iRV2 Forums Rubber dries out and hardens as it ages, and hard, dry tries are a failure waiting to happen. This is because there is a limited space in your truck or car that can be utilized. Whipping is a more violent and uncontrollable sway that is usually caused by loading your trailer heavier in the rear. . Some devices get built into a weight distribution system. Can You Get Pulled Over for Towing an Overweight Trailer? Again, I am unfamiliar with the specific dynamics of leaf springs but, I will have the opportunity to test (if they ever arrive, delivery re-scheduled 5 times now). Your email address will not be published. Depending on your rig, you may start to feel the wind pushing you around and cause the RV to sway once it hits 12 mph to 15 mph. Toy haulers are a bit unstable when unloaded in my experience. Every time you pay federal taxes, youre contributing to these lands. 6. I would say no sway is normal/acceptable. Uneven hitch weight distribution. TW. RV sway can be very serious and could cause you to overreact and cause an accident. Travel trailers sway because they are top-heavy. Lots of weight towards the ends of the trailer. Imagine that you're cruising down the road with your trailer behind you, but your gear is not the one recommended by the manufacturer for towing. [4], Explanation: Strong winds or buffeting from large vehicles can cause a trailer or caravan to swing from side to side (snake). If youre correctly hitching up your RV, you likely wont notice RV sway if youre keeping it under 55 mph to 65 mph. Load your trailer with 60% of the cargo weight in the front half of the trailer box. Hard braking will make things worse. Old tires can be dangerous, too. Today I picked up my new Grey Wolf 25rrt. How Much Trailer Sway Is Normal? (Explained) - Camper Upgrade If TT's had shock absorbers properly installed when the bump that might lead to trailer sway is properly dampened it has to lessen the . One of the hardest tips is dont press the brakes. All Rights Reserved. I have had 5ers for over a decade but keep the Equalizer 4 point sway control in the garage, just because. Distribute Weight Correctly One of the best things to avoid sway in your RV is by distributing the weight correctly. This often results in severe accidents, potentially even fatal accidents. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This is also how to safely slowdown in icy conditions. Check the tire pressure. Its a good idea to keep an eye on the weather and your speed when towing. Load your trailer properly: An improperly loaded trailer can have a hugely negative impact on the handling and stopping capability of your tow rig, even lifting the front wheels off the ground if the weight is too far biased to the rear of the trailer. Loaded with 2000 in the garage it is fine, but does require a little extra care. Eliminate Trailer Sway Forever. If a trailer sways is not normal and can also be scary if you are the driver. Many seasoned RVers will claim that driving slower means better gas mileage. Pitched Tow Vehicle or Trailer 4. Many people believe that increasing a vehicle's speed can help straighten it out, but in reality, it makes the vehicle even more unstable. 2.3) Never Exceed Your Trailer's Maximum Gross Weight. If you are towing a toy hauler or using a bumper-mounted cargo rack, you might have too much weight behind the axles of your RV. Use a Tow Vehicle with a Longer Wheelbase. Low tire pressure or worn tires can cause a blowout. The RAS will reduce squat and add sway control. Be prepared for bunch of questions regarding payload, trailer weight . A Pop-Up Camper With Slide-Out Is the Answer. When driving in windy conditions or when an 18-wheeler passes you on the interstate, the sway bar will provide stability when the trailer starts to sway from side to side. Every time you pay federal taxes, youre contributing to these lands. Distribute your cargo evenly within the front and the back trailer halves, so one side isnt heavier than the other, throwing it off balance. RV sway often occurs the faster youre driving. 2. A rule of thumb is to reduce the amount of pressure you put on the trailer. Eliminate trailer sway with these seven tips and feel confident that you can safely travel down the road. While you can technically pull a travel trailer without sway bars, in our opinion you should always have trailer sway bars equipped to help provide the easiest and safest tow possible. It's also important to know what your state's licensing requirements for towing trailers are. You don't want to turn sharply into the sway. November 4, 2022 by Douglas Last Updated on November 4, 2022 by Douglas Swaying and rocking are two common problems that many people experience with their travel trailers. [8], Going faster than 65 mph or the max speed your trailer is rated for greatly increases the chances of trailer sway. When winds pick up, go even slower or pull over to wait for calmer conditions. Trailer sway is one challenge you dont want to face. Today I picked up my new Grey Wolf 25rrt. The front of the trailer is where most of the load weight should go. Any sudden movements like swerving to miss a pothole or slamming on the brakes to avoid a deer could be disastrous. Also speed can effect the amount of sway. If you want to avoid experiencing RV sway while towing, there are some things you can do. Overloading your camper can cause a host of issues, one of which is RV sway. What should be done if the trailer starts swaying?-Garrett R. from Park City, UT. Mission Statement: Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts. Unsubscribe at any time. Tests have shown that speeds above 45 mph tend to cause almost any trailer to sway. [/caption]. These accidents can result in significant damage to your vehicle and even cause fatalities. Use the tow proper vehicle: It doesn't matter that your 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 can get a 25,000-pound trailer moving; using the proper tow vehicle is the first step to towing safely. At no time did I think there was any danger. If you notice the RV sway returning at a certain speed, stay at 5 mph to 10 mph below that speed until you can repack your RV to redistribute the weight. When that happens, follow thesedriving tips from NATMand the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): Trailer sway quickly becomes dangerous, but thoughtful preparation and careful driving can prevent it from happening so you can enjoy a smooth, steady ride with everything safely in tow. 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. Fax: 567-343-6047. Attach and secure the socket of the sway bar over the sway control ball on the hitch. Today, well talk about ways to prevent trailer sway and what to do if your trailer does start the highway mambo. [3], A sway bar is part of your vehicles suspension, which includes your wheels / tires, springs, shocks, steering system, linkages, bushings, and joints.
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