Travel Trailer Sway Control Tips
While it’s fun to set out with your travel trailer behind you, there’s always the danger of experiencing trailer sway while you’re driving. It can be a frightening experience, especially for newer drivers. When your rig starts to sway from side to side, it can make you feel out of control and nervous about the rest of the trip. We have provided some tips to help you tackle this problem. Read on to learn more.
Prevention Steps
As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Being a little proactive before you begin your journey can help minimize sway. A pre-ride inspection of your travel trailer will help you catch any problems that may be brewing. Check the tires’ air pressure and tread to make sure both are up to the recommended levels in your owner’s manual.
When you load the travel trailer, make sure that the weight is evenly distributed. The weight should be evenly packed from left to right and distributed more towards the front and less towards the back of the camper.
Tongue Weight
One of the biggest reasons for swaying is the misplaced weight on the tongue. Aim for resting 10-12% of your camper’s weight on the tongue. You can take your travel trailer to a commercial scale at a truck stop and then remove or adjust your weight as needed. Heavier cargo should be placed at the front of the rig with lower loads being packed at the back. Tie down the cargo to prevent the items from moving around and undoing your careful weight placement!
Tackling Windy Conditions
One of the biggest reasons behind travel trailer sway is wind. One of the easiest ways to avoid this is to avoid driving in windy conditions. You can check the weather forecast before starting the journey. If there are chances of high winds, you can start off at a later time.
However, this isn’t an option that works for everyone. Sometimes you have to leave and can’t delay any plans, while at other times, the wind starts up unexpectedly. If that happens, you’ll have to work to minimize sway. Don’t keep slamming the brakes as it’s much better to gradually decrease the speed while applying your trailer brakes. Keep your camper wheel steady and try to drive in as straight of a line as possible. Avoid making any sudden turns to one side. If the wind is too strong, it may be worthwhile to pull over and wait it out.
If you have further questions about your travel trailer, visit us at Camp Site RV. We’re located in Cresco, IA, and serve those in Cedar Falls, IA; Rochester, MN; and La Crosse, WI. We’re always happy to answer any questions you may have!