This crucial piece of equipment creates resistance against side-to-side movement. Its sole purpose is to reduce sway. Sway Control DeviceĮven more important than a weight-distribution hitch is a sway control device. Proper weight distribution will help prevent sway from starting. Weight distribution hitches also help prevent the back of the tow vehicle from dipping. This ensures the driver has more control to overcome sway should it occur. Additionally, weight distribution hitches with spring bars apply some side-to-side counterpressure that can help reduce sway. Weight-distribution hitches spread across all of the axles, so it’s not focused completely on the ball hitch. When you pair the best towing hitch with your properly equipped vehicle, you have the greatest chance of minimizing travel trailer sway. You should also choose a car, truck, or SUV equipped with a tow package. A tow package ensures your vehicle has all of the installed components needed to “grip it and rip it” down the road. The vehicle that you use to tow your travel trailer can have a huge impact on how much sway you experience. A vehicle with a long wheelbase will be less susceptible to sway. Now that we have established what might cause an RV to fishtail, we can focus on building the right towing set up to minimize travel trailer sway. The Right Towing Set Up to Minimize Travel Trailer Sway Uneven roads, potholes, dirt roads, and other road hazards can also cause sway. If there is no alternative, you should cross these sections of the road at a slower speed for better control. Uneven Roads or Potholes Courtesy of John Fredricks/The Epoch Times Underinflated tires can reduce the load capacity of your tow vehicle. Remember, overloaded vehicles are prone to sway. Overloading Your Trailer or Your Tow VehicleĮvery tow vehicle has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). If your RV has a total weight over that manufacturer-approved amount, you risk fishtailing. It is important to consider the weight of all cargo, including passengers, in your calculations. If something unfortunate happens, insurance companies deny claims due to exceeding the GVWR. Fifth wheels should have a hitch weight of 20%. Improper weight distribution, particularly if there is not enough weight near the hitch, will cause increased sway. According to Purdue University, the optimal tongue weight of a travel trailer is 10-15% of the RV’s Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). Being prepared for this attraction/detraction effect can minimize travel trailer sway. Passing High Profile VehiclesĪny time your travel trailer passes by a large vehicle, such as a semi-truck, a vacuum is created between your RV and the semi-trailer. Once one of you passes the other, the low pressure is broken, pushing you away from each other. Also, with their large, flat sidewalls, a small gust of wind can push them to one side or another. One of the most common causes of travel trailer sway is the wind. Travel trailers sway because they are top-heavy. If you want to stop travel trailer sway, you must first understand why sway occurs. There are six main causes of sway. We will cover everything you need to know to proceed with confidence and stay safe on your next travel trailer adventure! 6 Reasons Why Does a Trailer Sway? In this article, we will share with you a few simple things you can do to minimize travel trailer sway. We will also prepare you for how you can stay calm, and recover if fishtailing occurs. Trailer sway, or fishtailing as it’s often called, can be a true white-knuckle experience. If you’re in love with your travel trailer, but not with the thought of towing it down the road, we’re here to help! Towing a travel trailer can be tricky, and even dangerous if you don’t know how to stop travel trailer sway. If you’ve ever seen your trailer drifting side to side or felt the force of it pulling you all over the road, you’ve experienced sway. And, as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thanks for your support! If you make a purchase using our links in this article, we may make a commission.
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