Trailer moving and parking solutions to make life easier
One of the worst things that can happen when you’re trailering is the potential for your trailer to sway precariously back and forth, then eventually fall on one side, bringing your vehicle down with it. Trailer sway is a serious and common issue for many trailer owners, and it can make driving and transporting your trailer a sticky, anxiety-inducing affair where you can potentially lose control of your vehicles. When you’re on the road for long periods, especially, you should be able to drive with your trailer at relative ease. Trailer sway can be caused by gusts of wind, or the passing of big rigs, but can also be caused by a multitude of things that you can fix yourself.
1. Not enough tongue weight–10 to 12 percent of the trailer’s weight must be on the tongue (where it hitches to your vehicle). This is the most common cause for trailer sway. You can weigh your trailer by taking it to a commercial scale (at truck stops). For example, if the gross weight of your trailer is 2000 pounds, the tongue weight on the hitch should be about 200 pounds. 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.
Related: How to Hitch a Trailer
2. Tires–make sure both your vehicle and your trailer have correct air pressure. Also, check to see that they are exactly the same size when inflated.
Related: How to Read The Date Code on Tires to Determine Their Age
3. Load capacity–do not overload your trailer. Keep in mind that your load capacity includes the weight of the trailer, tongue, vehicle, and your passengers.
4. Install a friction sway control device–they reduce the effects of sudden gusts of wind and sharp turning by applying resistance to the trailer and vehicle with respect to each other. When driving, stop and turn the adjustment handle a quarter of a turn in the clockwise direction, which adds more friction. Continue to do this until your trailer feels stable. They are available in three different styles and should be used in trailers that have a low tongue weight percentage. For trailers that are over 5000 pounds, sway control devices should be attached to each side of the trailer hitch.
5. Avoid windy conditions–if you can. But if you can’t, here are some tips for safe driving in these conditions.
- Gradually reduce speed when experiencing trailer sway–do not slam on the brakes.
- Steady the steering wheel–do not make sudden turns, and do not try to steer out of a sway situation.
- Do not increase speed, since higher speeds make trailer sway more severe.
- Apply only the trailer brakes to help reduce sway.
- Stop to evaluate the cause of the sway. It’s not a good idea to take a trailer on the road if you know that it’s suffering from a swaying problem.
When you’re towing thousands of pounds of weight, safety on the road should be a priority. Depending on the state and composition of your trailer, combined with the right conditions, things can get sour fast. If you have issues with trailer sway, keep these tips in mind, and be safe out there.
My trailer sways when its empty. Anytime i go over bumps or switch lanes it starts swaying uncontrollably. I cant figure out why this is happening is rendering my trailer useless. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
In addition to the things mentioned. the tow vehicle tires can cause swaying. Some soft sidewall radial tires allow to much give when towing a trailer. You need a harder sidewall with less give, preferably a 6 or 8 ply tire.
Check hitch ball angle. You want the ball tipped towards the trailer and you want the front of the tow rig to compress slightly when the bars are tightened.
Hitch height is to high when empty trailer should be near level both loaded and unloaded . Adjustable ball height may be needed towing all types of trailers and weight classes I’ve found keeping even or slightly heavier in the front is key also tire pressure on the trailer must be equal bushings in trailer suspension could be worn
Mount something on the tongue of the trailer to add more weight to the front of the trailer toolbox propane etc
Increase tongue weight ?
My trailer sways while it’s empty it’s a 10 foot utility trailer dump trailer with no gate
Yes, provided your wheels are balanced and the correct air pressure in the tires are observed, then your trailer is probably leaning g back and doesn’t have 20% weight on the tongue.
your information is very useful but I think one of some causes trailer sway is uneven roads. The roads beside active construction zones are often rough, causing your trailer to tilt to the side. To make things worse, concrete barriers are lining the side of the road. When your trailer fishtails and hits these barriers, it will cause your trailer and the towing vehicle to flip over. What do you think about my opinion? Thanks very much!
Great information in here: https://www.listatrailer.com/do-i-need-a-sway-bar-for-my-trailer/
Thanks for your attention!
I have been using my GMC 2500 full size extended cab to pull a 15,000 pound Case backhoe on a 21 foot 5000 pound trailer. My truck weighs in at 5860 pounds. Not able to drive over 35 mph without bad swaying. Wondering if a fifth wheel would help.
We can’t go over 60 miles per hour towing our pop up campers. If we go over 60 miles per hour the camper starts to fish tale. Any suggestions on how to remedy that? We are very new to this. Just bought out first camper a week ago
I know that I am a few months late but, we have the same problem. I hope this helps a little at least regularly check your tire pressure on both your vehicle and your camper. That is what helped us. Uneven tire pressure can be very bad. Also, as suggested, can you put anything in the front to increase weight? That also helped us.
Bring the tracker up closer
We can’t go over 60 miles per hour towing our pop up campers. If we go over 60 miles per hour the camper starts to fish tale. Any suggestions on how to remedy that? We are very new to this. Just bought out first camper a week ago
Your weight distribution setup is more than likely not right. Google for the website Canamrv and go to hitch hints and find the article on hitch ball angle. They will explain why ball angle is important and can lead to a nervous ride. Proper ball angle will almost always eliminate sway
I’ve been towing my boat with my motorcycle to northern Ontario for years (annual fishing trip). I have found 12% tongue weight works; going below 10% will tend to fishtail. Also, I have found minimizing the polar moment of inertia helps; this means gather all the heavy weight together and place the centre of the pile just far enough ahead of the trailer axle to get the tongue weight (at the hitch ball) to 12% of the total trailer and load weight. For me this requires taking the motor off the transom and laying it on the seat just ahead of the axle (the floor would be better to lower the centre of gravity, but the seat is in the way). Also, the anchor, fuel, trailer jack, etc. everything heavy is packed and tied down in this one location.
You mention that it is a good idea to install a friction sway control device. Is part of the device installed inside the truck so you can control the drag of the trailer? We are renting a dump trailer next week for a project we are doing. Would it be a good idea to have one of these install also?
It makes sense that your trailer and vehicle’s tires should have the proper amount of air pressure and should be identical in size. My uncle is interested in bringing some of his power tools to my house so that he can help me build a shed, but we need to find a safe way to transport them here. Maybe we should get a trailer and learn how to keep it secure as we drive the vehicle to my house.
Your description of measuring from center of fort axle to back of trailer seems easy to understand… but is the correct way to do it?
Traded in a Ram 1500 for a new F150. The aluminum body makes the truck too light and creates a very unstable vehicle to tow with. Don’t be fooled by the commercials.
I’m towing a 5600 pound travel trailer. Missing the Ram when towing. Looking for help other than filling the truck with sandbags.
I have the aluminum body F150. It’s actually not that much lighter and pulls a 7,000# horse trailer with ease (as does my friend’s, which is why I bought mine). Look elsewhere for the problem you’re having. It’s not the truck.
A friend of mine was looking to buy a new f150 so we used my trailer for towing ability as he didn’t have a trailer yet. I had the same problem I set the equalizer bars the same as I did on my truck also an F150 without the aluminum box. I tried setting my equalizer bars 2 less links, putting more weight on the back of the truck and it helped huge. hope this helps you.
The car isn’t the cause of the sway, although a different distance between rear axle and tow bar could *exacerbate* any sway.
Our new tongue hitch camper has a rear kitchen. I did not even consider weight distribution with the appliances weighing so much plus canned goods.
Interestingly, the floor plan of rear kitchens is the most requested.
I didn’t know that 10-12 percent of the weight for a trailer should be on the tongue. That will be something I have to remember the next time I am loading a trailer so that I don’t have the swaying issue. These will be great tips for the future.
I have a car dolly, and empty sways very bad at 45mph. Could the hitch be too high as it is at an angle?
Very good question, I have the same problem. Did you figure out a solution?
I have the same problem with my master tow dolly what is the solution ???
Very good info. I needed this, Thank you very much for your advice
It makes sense that you should avoid overloading your trailer. I need to get a trailer that I can use to load some equipment. I’ll be sure to avoid loading too much.