Preventing Trailer Sway
Every time you take your trailer out, you’re at risk of experiencing trailer sway. It can be anxiety-inducing and leave you feeling out of control and fearing the journey ahead as your trailer sways from side to side. Trailer sway is not safe, so it’s crucial that you know what you can and should do to decrease the risk of it happening. We’ve put together a helpful guide on preventing trailer sway. Read on to learn more, and if you’re in the market for a trailer, visit Double B Trailer Sales in Centerville and Hurricane, Utah.
Proactive Steps to Take
Prevention strategies make all the difference when it comes to reducing trailer sway. Before each trip, take a few proactive steps. A pre-ride inspection is a great way to get ahead of potential problems. You can start by checking your tire tread and air pressure. Make sure they’re both up to the standards in your owner’s manual. You should also pack your camper so weight is evenly distributed. Ensure that you’re staying within the tongue weight and keep limits in mind so you don’t overload your vehicle.
Tongue Weight
The most common reason trailer sway occurs is misplaced weight on the tongue. You should shoot for resting 10 to 12 percent of your camper’s weight on the tongue. You can take your rig to a commercial scale to make sure the weight is distributed properly. If you need to, you can adjust weight before you really head out on your trip. You should put heavier cargo at the front of the camper and center it from left to right. Make sure to tie down cargo so they don’t move around, resulting in canceling out your intentional weight placement.
Trailer Upgrades
Another way to prevent trailer sway is by customizing your trailer with a friction sway control device. This upgrade will place resistance on the trailer and tow vehicle, reducing the impact wind gusts and sharp turns can have on your trailer. Vehicles with a higher tongue weight percentage should use this device on both sides of the hitch. You can adjust these so that you can get the perfect performance and you can choose from different styles to find the device that best fits your RV.
Handling Windy Conditions
Another contributing factor to trailer sway is, of course, wind. You can avoid wind as much as possible by checking the weather forecast before you hit the road. If there’s a high chance of wind, it might be a good idea to stay home. In the event that you can’t postpone your trip or are hit by an unexpected wind storm while you’re already on the road, you’ll want to change your driving style a little. You should try to limit the amount of times you slam on the brakes and keep the wheel steady to drive in as straight a line as possible. Try to avoid making any sudden turns. If the wind is worse than you anticipated, pull over and wait till it dies down.
We hope you found this guide helpful. Trailer sway can be dangerous and a nuisance, but it’s something all camper owners will encounter at some point so it’s critical to be prepared. If you have any questions about preventing trailer sway or you’re ready to look at some trailers for sale, stop by Double B Trailer Sales. We proudly serve Salt Lake City, Ogden, St. George, and Washington, Utah, so swing by and we’ll get you ready for your next adventure!