Sway when towing an RV? Watch this!

Equalizer 10k Weight Distribution Sway Control Hitch
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Equalizer 12k Weight Distribution Sway Control Hitch
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[@anthonyagadis2231]

I watched this video just before towing a travel trailer for the first time. Gotta be honest, thought it was a bit exaggerated but quickly learned you were spot on!!! Thanks for sharing!

[@wpgoodsonify]

Heading down in a couple hours to pick my new trailer up. I drive truck for a living. Weight distribution makes a world of difference.

[@brianw612]

OK, if you have a PU with a single axle, get air bags! And a really good weight distribution hitch. Really, the air bags drastically reduce the bouncing. Weight distribution is so important I like the Blue Ox. Simple and works for me. Whatever you use, go slow and watch your flanks. Be very mindful of windy conditions when you are approaching a field after transit through tree lined terrain. Cross winds are hell.

[@artwebb6939]

Weight distribution is a huge Factor Back when I was working for a motorcycle shop, I went about halfway across Texas pulling a 16 foot lowboy behind a half ton pickup with five big dressers and a side-by-side loaded on it Coming down this one long slow Hill the trailer started wagging the truck like you wouldn't believe Pulled over, move the side by side and two of the motorcycles further forward on the trailer, not a hint of sway the rest of the trip That's back when I was still green enough pulling trailers to pull a load like that with a half ton with a V6 🤣

[@shiftfocus1]

Great explanation. I can personally attest to the effect of wheelbase. For all sorts of reasons we use an SUV as our TV, and a couple of years ago changed the TV from one with a 118" wheelbase to a 131". Our trailer and WD hitch (Blue-Ox Sway-Pro) remained unchanged (apart from height adjustments to fit to the new truck). With the old TV, driving in any kind of crosswind was a white knuckle affair, and I'd usually find myself dropping my speed to 80 km/h (50 mph). With the new TV, I can hold my speed at 100 km/h with no sway. However, you missed one critical factor: Speed. Since sway is a dynamic effect caused, in large part, by the airflow over the sides of the trailer, for any setup there is a critical speed, above which the tendency to sway will be amplified with each oscillation of the trailer. Therefore, one easy (and free) means to control sway is to slow down. A side benefit is the greatly reduced fuel consumption!

[@LeeWinbush]

Wow, easily the granddaddy of videos on sway with RVs. Great job!

[@narosoghee128]

wow....this is the first time to understand right away about sway. best explanation ever.

[@loriw2661]

This was excellent, thank you! I just bought a 20’ Kodiak qb travel trailer that I’m pulling with my F-150. The dealer advised a weight distribution set up (it has an integrated sway control) and I wasn’t sure because it’s an additional $700. or so. However, watching your videos has convinced me and I’ve made an appointment to get it installed. Thanks again, your videos are very informative and educational.

[@brianw612]

I have a Blue Ox sway max weight distribution hitch for my 35 foot tt, it helps. It does not sway so much as just pushes the whole rig slightly with a gusting cross wind. If you feel swaying coming on, 1) foot off accelerator and foot off brake if possible, 2) GENTLY squeeze the trailer brake. This will tend to stretch the trailer and truck straight. Stop sway before it starts. I have towed in some pretty nasty winds, and this helps. And go slow or stop in bad winds. I think my suspension air bladders help too. They kick down any bounce.

[@mr.monitor.]

Very good advice. I prefer a neutral throttle or even slight acceleration rather than coasting before hitting the trailer brakes before going off throttle and on the tow vehicle brakes. Better outcomes. More control. In tow-haul mode, the downshift and compression can be just enough to lose control.

[@hbmarcott]

After using 2 different friction style say controls I switched to a Hensley Arrow. Not only did their hitched worked as advertised, they have the best Customer Service I have ever seen in the travel trailer accessory business. When I sold my travel trailer and went with a motor home, they bought my Hensley Arrow back from me.

[@edb6783]

Bruce Marcotte I bought a used Hensley in a private sale via e-trailers. Hensley Mfg treated me like a new customer throughout. Never had an issue with the hitch. When I quit camping after buying a 3500 dually diesel (loved that truck) Hensley bought back the hitch, all the accessories and spare parts (new in box, plus 2 sets of sway bars) at more $ than they said they would! They sent me the box to put it all in! Their Customer Service was simply GREAT throughout (three drawbar swaps). Zero issues towing with a 1500, but I must have weighed both rigs half a dozen times or so to assure myself that everything was within spec. I went for the diesel strictly for the torque - towing in the mountains - and never regretted any of it.

[@JoKe4244]

Thank you. I would have liked to hear more time discussing improper weight distribution on the hitch and how that causes inertial over correction between the the two body masses of the tow vehicle and the trailer. In my opinion, Wind is only a factor when it is significant. Tire alignment is a mechanical problem that occurs, but is not common. But improper weight distribution causes most of the scary and dangerous sway. That is why there are typically two systems incorporated in most camping and cargo trailer coupling systems. They are the sway control system, or braking systems that are added to weight distribution systems to limit sway, and the weight distribution system to bring the tow vehicle and the trailer into longitudinal and latitudinal alignment as a means to correct weight distribution.

[@CS-rb9jk]

I agree. Ive towed many years with both types of trailers. How the trailer is loaded front to back which produces tongue weight is really biggest factor in sway

[@joeo7257]

Good explanation! An interesting aspect of the sway control is that when installed properly, the tongue weight doesn't cause your back end to squat down and front to point up! It loads the weight as if it is a bridge between the trailer and truck. Your sway control adds a substantial amount of weight to your front tires. Your trailer and truck should stay level.

[@richceretto5836]

Thank you! You are my new teacher! We are just getting into looking for a trailer to pull and have a 95 4x4 k1500 suburban with no towing package other than a ball hitch. Thanks to God 20 plus years ago I hauled three horses from Nebraska to nw Illinois through a blizzard with it without incident and want to be much smarter about towing now. You bet I will be following you and again thanks for caring and educating us. 🙏🏻

[@firbug14]

Fantastic explanation of how the weight distribution hitch works. I had the basic idea but seeing the physics of it really brought the importance of setting that hitch up right

[@yooperslots6026]

Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you I would say that a million more times if I had the time. I have been trying to explain this to my sister she has a travel trailer and she just bought a pickup truck she was pulling the travel trailer with her minivan and that didn't work out too well. But now she has a pickup truck and I was trying to explain the sway bars and weight distribution hitch tour and I think this video will get it through to her so again thank you so much.

[@vppnbrent]

When I was towing a travel trailer, an 18 wheeler passing me was my biggest scare. Good input Big.

[@KennyInVegas]

Nice video...... I spent big bucks on an EQUALIZER unit from Utah. Took some time to install but haven't had any problems

[@bjones5791]

Wish i saw this before i bought a 45k travel trailer!Great vid,and if i get another rv it'll be a 5th wheel....lesson learned🇨🇱

[@nobodysbusiness]

Thank You for this I've been towing trailers for years, and your explanation of the Weight Distribution Hitch cleared up some gray areas for me!!

[@jimbuckley4986]

Excellent video, you are a natural teacher. So many things to learn about pulling an rv in safe safe and stress free manor. Thank you

[@RVHabit]

That is an excellent explanation of trailer sway. Also including the misalignment of the trailer tires cannot be overlooked. Many think it's only wind. Great video. Happy traveling, Lou.

[@gpecaut1]

Except it's not alignment of the he tires, it's alignment of the axel.

[@1987whipper]

Excellent !! I added an additional length to my RVs back porch and hauled an atv and generator on it. This is definitely effecting sway! I’m gonna have to eliminate these I think to make a safer ride

[@pcsteve6072]

Good job. As mentioned in other comments, rearward trailer weight balance and surface area contribute to sway accelerating, leading to loss of control not only due to reduced traction but a more powerful lever rotating around the trailer wheels. Also, the lateral stability provided by the tires decreases with speed, parked rigs don't seem to sway, while those NASCAR guys get loose with no trailer at all😊.

[@user-mr8mn5nn9k]

We got a Hensley Arrow hitch and we don’t even know what sway is anymore. So glad we had it towing across the Great Plains. Well worth it.

[@lmack72]

Best explanation I've seen of weight distribution and sway control.

[@hrios75]

Wow. This was one of first video of yours that I saw on late 2018 before by my travel trailer in 4/2019. Thanks.

[@thomaspotterf8760]

Thank you for a great video, the sign of a good teacher is when he can explain the subject matter in a way that the general audience can understand. Unlike some of your critics who try to impress themselves with complicated remedies.

[@MarshallLoveday]

Good visual demonstration. I'd suggest maybe a 'Part 2' to explain other factors that contribute to sway issues. 1.(sort of alluded to in the video...) The SIZE of the trailer - The 23' TT that I pulled with a '97 light-duty F-250 (7-lug wheels) had virtually no sway issues with a load-equalizing hitch. If you're towing a 30' Airstream, you might have issues. 2. Overhang - Are your tandem trailer wheels closer to the middle (bad), or further back (good - rear kitchen floor plans, for instance)?

[@vicb8975]

Great video. Great information in a very understandable way. From a 40 + year licensed engineer.

[@johnmann8253]

One interesting factor with travel trailers is adding weight behind the axles of the trailer. I have heavy E bikes that I mounted on a hitch on my rockwood travel trailer. In addition ,If I have any water in my fresh tank, this weight is applied behind the axles causing a tenancy to sway. If I tighten up my sway control bars which are the blue ox system, this mitigates sway when I’m in gusty wind conditions. Also I make sure that my tanks are empty and I load my truck and trailer to counter the additional weight of the heavy bike rack. Very good video!

[@96dodgeram]

I have 36' toy hauler bumper pull that tows with no sway when no toys are in the back , the minute i put my touring bike in the rear garage its a handful . My solution was put weight back on to the front of the trailer with 4 milk crates of concrete in the forward storage compartment . Tows great now ..... weight distribution in the trailer is probably one of the biggest factors of sway .

[@CS-rb9jk]

Yep, I've pulled for many years with a 5th wheel and bumper pulls. With bumper pulls The biggest factor is how you load the trailer front to back. If you get hit by wind and your trailer is loaded right it may sway but will recover. If your loaded with no or little tongue you can start swaying almost immediately when getting up to speed even with a flat bed bumper pull with no wind. Applying the brakes when serious sway occurs helps because the tongue weight is increased and the trailer tires are not allowing as much swing. The leverage that a improperly loaded trailer has on the bumper of a vehicle is what causes sway and as steering wheel corrections are made it actually compounds the problem by slinging the trailer from side to side causing a type of centrifugal force that leads to a crash. This same force is what we do when we start pumping on a swing to get movement. Biggest factor improper loading which includes not having the right tow vehicle.

[@CS-rb9jk]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJWQmYiObdKYo7s

[@bertveldhuizen8699]

I never understood with those toy haulers why they have the "garage" in the back, that way when you load something you basicly take weight off the hitch.

[@Governor1993]

Excellent explanation and demo….it was easy to understand! As a newbie looking to possibly tow an RV in a couple of years this was extremely educational!

[@sonictech1000]

Great explanation. I'm sure a lot of people are going to benefit from it.

[@markb.1259]

A+++ Video!!! Thank You!!! This should be required viewing for every new RV owner!!

[@fpvtrucker129]

I have a 2500 2 wheel drive truck I pull a 25 ft travel trailer with a 16 ft boat behind the trailer and the biggest things I have learned is you have to have a good % of nose weight to you trailer and make sure all the trailers truck and boat are as level as you can get them and I have very little trouble after that.

[@ictpilot]

Another thing is the length of travel trailer. The longer the trailer the greater the moment arm, and in conjunction with the wind you have the tail wagging the dog effect and greater sway.

[@anne-mariemillet2823]

Genius explanation and illustration! Thanks so much!

[@gmyatko]

Two things that I'd like to add. I have an Equilizer hitch. I bought the TT used. After following the setup to a T, I looked closely at the spot where the L brackets are mounted to the frame of the TT. I observed longitudinal scrapes on the frame rails from the bolts, both top and bottom. The bolts were as tight as practical, with the steel backing plates beginning to bow from the tension. So I spray painted the frame to observe if there was fresh movement after a tow. There was. I welded two straps to the back of the L bracket and put another complete set of vertical mounting bars with bolts. That eliminated the 1/2 - 3/4" movement entirely. When you think of the movement and the distance to the fulcrum, the tires are another 12 feet behind my 3/4" movement, which means the allowed 3/4" allowed sway becomes several inches at the axles. The ball hitch itself, where it slides into the receiver was longer than it has to be. Based on your explanation, the closer you can get the ball toward the rear axle, the better. I don't know what 1" closer does, but it can only help. There is considerable slop in the slip fit between the hitch and the receiver. I'm going to work on fixing that, but is it +/1 1/4" at the ball, even though it was =/- 3/32" at the slip fit. So it was already exacerbated 10" away from the source. Again, multiply that by about 13 feet in my case, an it turns into a couple inches. In the spirit of getting rid of as much source of sway as possible, these things need to be understood and worked on as well.

[@chadgrant9256]

Knowing how to get out of that situation once your in it is key. Trailer brakes and throttle are two tools to help keep you off of your roof. But every situation is different.

[@gpecaut1]

Never pull the trailer trolley brake. A sure way to jack knife.

[@nhlcfl7733]

Thanks for creating this, impressing the importance of WDHitches and why it all happens.

[@Erin-Thor]

I’ve been looking at a Ram 1500 ecodiesel, as I plan on towing a small-ish 28’ trailer. Your your video just made me rethink my bed length choice. And you may have helped lean me towards a 2500 dually instead of a 1500 single. Thanks I think you just cost me $20 grand. 🤣

[@stacyreid5077]

One other thing that a filth wheel trailer does is move the trailer axles forward which takes away the area of weight that would've been there between the truck rear tires and the trailer tires. I'm 51 and have been pulling trailers of different kinds since I was 15 and have had several blowouts on them the least sway during one has been on a dual tandem gooseneck loaded with 10 pallets of water from the army base and could barely tell that tire blew. I'm glad you did this video so people will have a better idea of the way pulling trailers work.

[@jimeverett8998]

Hey Stacy, I've been towing TTs for almost 20 years using either Hensley Arrow or ProPride hitches & had 3 blowouts in that timeframe. Never fellt the tire blow just lots of smoke. I agree the video is good. Learn after blowout this summer on my 12k lb Excel TT to buy new tires every 4 years because the rubber dries out in that timeframe...

[@stacyreid5077]

jim everett I've had that happen also. Plus as he said one blew when an axle was bent

[@Milesco]

LOL -- "filth wheel trailer"....have some pride, man, and wash your trailer! _;-D_

[@jonsmith2217]

34' bumper pull tag trailer no sway bars ever. My trick I've learned how to slow down save gas mileage wear and tear on everything. and keep my electronic brake close at hand if needed. I never even put the sway bars on. they're hard on the trailers tongue and have completely snapped some trailer tongues off.

[@tankscrittersandurbanhomes5579]

Amazing explanation. You did great

[@benjaminvandenbrink5947]

Good video, though you didn't mention load distribution in the trailer, if there is too much weight behind the trailers axels it can cause major sway as well.

[@bnnttdenn]

With a 5th wheel trailer placement of the 5th wheel back and forward will control front to rear weight distribution on the truck.. Experience from 45 years of driving semi trucks..

[@danielsillick3890]

Please make some mention of vehicle speed and how that affects the dynamics of sway ( i.e. resonance...). I find that simply slowing down can improve the stability. If your rig is prone to sway, reducing your speed might allow you to get where your going more safely until you can make improvements.

[@user-xm6ux2di6h]

Very well done one of the best videos on youtube well informed. Thanks

[@ronfeinberg]

I've towed a TT for 10 years now, with and without a Hensley. The difference is astounding. There is ZERO sway with a Hensley or ProPride. I know it's a lot of money, but just think what you're carrying with you.

[@jimeverett8998]

Same experience towing TTs for almost 20 years. Use Propride now towing 12k lb 33 ft Excel TT w/ F350 SWD crew cab long bed. And one other upgrade I recommend is AutoFlex rear air suspension with auto-leveling.

[@WhiteFox011]

My point exactly!

[@markbuski3618]

Love my ProPride hitch. My current trailer is 33’ long, precious one was 31.5. The ProPride eliminated any worries about sway. Definitely recommend talking to Sean about how their hitch can save your life and property.

[@markbuski3618]

And worth every penny.

[@naughtyue7284]

instant props on intro bass riff

[@GoTogetherGoFar]

Very helpful video! I ran into a sway issue the first time I took my trailer on the highway. Scary stuff.

[@dmb25108]

Also ideally speaking with 5th wheel your hitch should be above your drive axle or slightly ahead. Proper 5th wheel placement places weight on your steer tires too making your front end more stable.

[@martyyoung598]

You didn’t address another cause of sway with improper weight distribution of the trailer. The weight pressing down at the hitch point should be 11-15% of the total trailer weight for best stability. Also of note is the ratio of weight between tow vehicle and the trailer. As the weight of the trailer approaches the weight of the tow vehicle (and many times surpasses it) the setup becomes less stable requiring additional equipment to abate sway. The reason for this is also physics and is in addition to the other causes you covered. Thank you for the video.

[@cannaclatch8673]

Great video. I had to learn that no load balancing hitch means horrible wobble / sway. Now; I only get sway on long downhill curves which is likely a weight distribution issue with tongue weight being too high.

[@michaeldublg]

Thanks for the education... Watching trailer sway accidents on KZbin looks pretty terrifying. Good to know how to keep it from happening to oneself.

[@eddy2561]

Well done!! I definitely have a better understanding of what sway is. I use an old Curt weight distribution hitch without anti-sway bar. I learned that by moving more weight to the middle of the truck bed I was able to control sway much better without an anti-sway bar.

[@roymartinez8135]

what type of weight do you use and around how much weight?

[@timmyers2862]

I wish they would come up with sliding tandem axles on these trailers. If you could slide your tandem to the back or a foot or two from the rear, I believe these trailers would ride alot better.

[@glenndickson7627]

I think there is one other factor in towing trailers that use a bumper trailer. Too much weight at the rear of the trailer means when the trailer/truck combo does move a bit, that excess rear weight on the trailer exerts a more powerful side to side leverage onto the trailer hitch. And there is less weight and traction on the tow vehicle rear tires

[@PanicAttackOshawa]

Perfect explanation, thanks. I will now buy a sway control system knowing just exactly why!

[@jimeverett8998]

I towed a 33 ft Aerolite TT for 10 years with short wheel base Toyota Sequoia. First trip towing it from Michigan to Colorado with Reese weight distribution hitch was white knuckle all 1200 miles because of trailer sway. Bought a Hensley Arrow hitch and sway was completed eliminated in fact I was more stable in a cross wind towing the trailer with the Hensley Arrow then driving the truck by itself. We towed that trailer across the country many times. Upgraded to F350 Diesel Crew Cab with 8' Bed 5 years ago towing a 12,000 lb 33 ft Excel TT using ProPride Hitch(Similar to Hensley Arrow). Reason I went with TT vs Fifth wheel is because I wanted to keep my dogs in the bed of the truck and also have bikes.... covered & out of weather & out of site... The reason the Hensley Arrow and ProPride Hitches eliminate sway is because they use a cam mechanism under the ball that effectively projects the pivot point of the truck/trailer to over the rear axle. Thus giving you a similar towing experience to that of a fifth wheel. Here's plus & minus from my experience of TT with Hensley Arrow or ProPride Hitch vs 5th Wheel TT with Hensley Arrow or ProPride 5th Wheel Towing Experience Similar but TT has lower center of gravity vs 5th wheel Wind Drag Fifth wheel is 1-2 feet taller than same floor plan TT but TT further away from Tow vehicle, so ??? Total Vehicle Length Total length of truck plus TT or 5th wheel is 6-8 feet less for 5th wheel so easier to park... Use of truck bed for storage Much better for TT. Filled my bed with tools & traveled back to Michigan to build my sister a deck Hope this helps someone...

[@robertmcdonald5277]

I would like to say thank you.

[@heinzmodricky6410]

Your explanations address some points that deal with symptoms. It's a video for persons that want to counter sway control with a secondary device, but the video does not address the causes of sway control and how sway works. Wind could be a factor in setting sway off, but sway will happen even in a no wind situation, like if you have a strong wind from the rear - in fact this no wind scenario is akin to going downhill, which we all know exacerbates sway. The answer lies in understanding trailer and towing dynamics - weight, weight distribution, higher COG's and softer suspensions are the major contributing factors. The new style independent trailing arms must be the single biggest contributor to sway prone rigs. Lifted two vehicles with upgraded shocks adds to your misery.

[@Dachamp2001]

For the most part a 3500 duels and a 3500 single have the same weight ratings. But like for example. Washington state wants you to have a 3500 duels if your gross is over 20k. Even though the weight ratings are the same for both duels and single

[@RobertJory10]

The very best explanation I have seen and I have seen too many

[@BossRoss045]

Well, unless I'm missing something. The best way to reduce (get rid of) sway is to add a set of wheels underneath the end of the A-Frame hitch assembly.I hope I'm not the first to think of this simple solution. (something smaller to what is used on combination trailers) The low cost would be well worth it.

[@bobrother9471]

Hensley arrow really really works ,its expensive but worth the money

[@tcoker6616]

One thing to remember, DO NOT EVER use your cruise control in on a wet surface. I watched a F250 pulling a 32? Foot bumper pull end up in a ditch just outside of Junction, Texas, because he was using his cruise control. His back wheels on the truck lost traction and spun out to his left, he over corrected, truck was in the ditch, the trailer was still connected to the truck, but on it’s side.

[@WatchnItMove]

Great info. Thanks. I would only ask that you change the terminology in the future to “Bumper Pull” vs “travel trailer”. They’re all travel trailers. So for comprehension and clarity... my thought is ... Fifth wheel/gooseneck vs bumper pull. Bc again.. all 3 kinds are travel trailers. Thanks. Again, great info.

[@edb6783]

Tony Woodard Just wondering - does anyone tow anything but a utility trailer or a small boat hanging off the bumper??

[@skycrew867]

Awesome video....very well detailed.....yet simple enough.....thx for making it!

[@douglasbair5647]

If the axles or wheels are not aligned properly you will notice unusual wear on your tires! If you ow n and haul an RV, please read and follow your owners manual. Weights are hard for most of us to understand, but worth studying and following! A lot better than jack knifing your rig or seriously injuring yourself or family.

[@douglasbair5647]

In addition or explanation, my brother and I have been driving professionally for over 30 years, we’ve seen and been through some interesting experiences. My brother jackknifed a set of triples on snowy road up by Idaho Falls. Not a good experience, I’ve rolled my car on the backroad to SunValley Idaho, just past Arco. Point is if you don’t follow the laws, of nature or man’s laws then there will be consequences! Some of which are very unpleasant!

[@brustar5152]

Big thing forgotten is tire sidewall flex. This is something nobody talks about. The sidewall flex of one set of rear LT tires with four sidewalls and a short wheelbase truck creates an angle deflection of the towing vehicle greatly exaggerated over that of a longer wheelbase truck or a dually truck with eight sidewalls. Once those tires flex and take the rear of the truck off center line your instinct is to steer into it and then the pendulum effect begins.

[@bigjohnd1973]

Before any of you watch this and think you HAVE to tow a fifth wheel to eliminate sway, think again. You always must stay safely within the specs of your tow vehicle, but there is a hitch that eliminates sway for a travel trailer: the ProPride 3P hitch system. And before you balk at the price and say "I'll just buy a bigger truck"; the price of the bigger truck will almost always be exponentially greater than the price of the ProPride hitch. One more thing, the bigger truck is NOT eliminating sway, it is simply handling it better so that you don't "feel" it as much in the driver's seat. I know. I'm a very happy ProPride owner and would not even look at another type of brand of hitch.

[@909punisher]

Great job on the video explain sway how it can effects the truck and trailer.

[@louf7178]

Vortex shedding: it can be easily found by (shortly) tailgating (drafting) a truck-trailer with both of the car windows down.

[@dougsmith9028]

I've towed my 36ft travel trailer tens of thousands of miles with a Hensley hitch and have never experienced sway. If one has a travel trailer there is no safer way to tow.

[@MrApple187]

Does it affect turning at all

[@dougsmith9028]

jaime villafan Doesn't affect turning at all and you can back up with it as well. The first few times I hooked it up to my truck was challenging but with a little practice it's pretty easy now. I highly recommend it, they are expensive but I was able to get a refurbished one.

[@MrApple187]

Doug Smith thank you for the help

[@MrGoodtime1301]

What is your tow vehicle? I'm wanting to tow a similar size trailer with a f150 and the Hensley hitch, do you think this combination would work well?

[@gpecaut1]

@@MrGoodtime1301 a 150 is too small for anything but the lightest 36' trailer. Empty.

[@jimlanigan7298]

Best video I’ve seen. Keep them coming

[@rime1090]

I think easy on the speed also help reduce sway, lot s of people don’t think about it

[@franka8377]

I can't understand why it is never explained on what the trailer brake is used for. I agree with everything your saying, but as a truck driver for 37 years, it was always taught that whenever your trailer starts to sway or slide on ice to slightly put pressure on only the trailer brakes by moving the brake lever. This creates a tug of war effect on the hitch where the truck wants to pull forward and the trailer wants to pull backwards which eliminates the slack at the hitch for the sway not to happen. This method has saved me dozens of time. You will notice by doing this it straightens the trailer immediately. NEVER apply the truck brakes during this procedure! Just my 2 cents.

[@tibortoth6548]

Message received and understood.Thanks heaps

[@wendysmith-Florida]

incredibly good video. I’m a newbie and this info is so helpful. thanks! subscribing now...

[@rickmlamb1]

Amazing video so down to earth thank you sir❤️👍🏼👍🏼

[@warren9404]

3 comments. 1- thanks for the cutouts that let you point to what happens where. I understood that. 2- I did not read all the comments, in fact I didn't read any of them so maybe my second comment is already covered. If so, let me know and approximately where to look and who said it. My comment is that you did not include the contribution of unlevel towing in aiding to sway factors. Before RV-ing, I once towed a rented cement mixer back to the rental yard for my son who was using it. I told him I was concerned with the obvious angle in the connection. He suggested I stay under 35 mph. I did, but noticed that it was more like 28 mph. Anything higher just scared me. And the faster I drove, up to 35 mph was downright dangerous. Is this an affecting sway source? 3- Is there any way you can use a similar display device to show how trailer wheel placement affects backing up? I have watched many KZbin encouragements for backing up. One of them did not spell it out but included it in talking about when in his video he was turning the wheel. Essentially he said something like 'now you turn the trailer' and his wheels on the trailer were at or just into the road edge he wanted to turn into 90 degrees. I knew his comment was an answer to my physics understanding, and after rewatching that segment four or five times tried putting the concept into a test and was amazed at what happens when. Now iI am working on when to turn the steering wheel which direction to follow the turning trailer. Several demo videos try to draw or photo backing up, not usefully to me like you showed in your sway video here. Can you put one together?

[@barryhall4668]

I am surprized that no one knows what to do if a caravan or large trailer starts to sway, A swaying caravan or trailer will start steering the car in either direction, Do not try to fight this as you will only make things worse, Lock your arms and steer straight ahead take your foot of the accelerator, do not apply the brakes or accelerate the vehicle, You can apply the trailer brakes if you are able. I have used this method and it does work.

[@supersovak]

Excellent explanation for a novice. Thank you for that clarity

[@keenanleetodd]

You didn't address load infront and behind the trailer axle. You can head out camping with a full fresh tank and empty brown tank. You can come home with the opposite. Add in all the stuff you pack and possibly a bunch of wood. This means not enough hitch weight allowing the tow vehicles back tires to have less traction and increased suspension travel.

[@travispfannmuller7717]

^ This! Single most important factor is to measure axle and tongue weight. Sway control is great but its a bandaid for a poorly loaded trailer. Ensure you have at least 15% on the tongue

[@kingrider75]

Travis Pfannmuller exactly right. There is no magic hitch. Learn how to load your trailer

[@northerniltree]

Toy haulers are great, but when you strap down 2 heavy bikes in the back "garage" area of a travel trailer, counterbalancing for proper tongue weight is critical. Rear loaded trailers are the most dangerous thing on the road. They sway and wander with the slightest provocation. Losing your trailer, bikes, truck, and maybe even your life all in one fleeting moment of terror ain't why we RV. There are hitches that measure the tongue weight, as well as control sway. Spend the money, spend the time and do it right. This is supposed to be fun.

[@coreyadams4646]

Great video on sway while towing.

[@jimbachleda2073]

Wow thanks for this video, really helps to understand what going on with the trailer. :)

[@doncorleon9]

Slow the trailer, eliminate the sway. Use the brake override and feather it with experience. Do not fight physics.

[@lifelong5425]

Never be in a hurry....stay behind that truck if it feels safer, pass when you are ready and have no high flyers coming up behind you. Over the course of any trip, you might be out 30 minutes, but you will be safer, and arrive alive

[@francoisvanwyk1410]

Don’t forget the pendulum effect when you have too much weight at the back of the trailer.

[@richardrobertson1331]

I think my sway questions were answered in the comment section. I already have the truck, the hitch and the trailer, so I need to know how to handle sway, if it should happen while I'm on the highway: Stay off the truck's brakes, use the trailer brakes, and slow down when there are wind gusts and lots of big rigs . . . right?

[@lamondsecret8624]

Thanks my wife and grandchildren going to get a camper soon i almost got the down payment

[@BringTheBeaver]

Absolutely OUTSTANDING information, especially for us getting our feet wet in towing a trailer! Thank you so, so much! This explains a lot, and I’ll be pulling with a weight distribution hitch from now on! 🤗

[@saleen308]

We just bought a 5th wheel and it is a night and day difference on trailer sway compared to our bumper pull TH.

[@michellebales2682]

Thank you! Always learning.

[@vindeloach9888]

Thanks for the clear and concise explanation.

[@Rogue-Drone]

That’s why I pull a 5th wheel. No sway. Also, 5th does not hitch center over the axle. It is forward of the axle.

[@1towmater1]

First, any trailer can cause sway, had it happen with an open car trailer. And two, there is a very interesting video from fastway trailer proving air bags are BAD! I Recommend watching it!

[@radram157]

Thank you!! I guess I should have my truck bed weight, gear, distributed behind the cab rather than closer to the tailgate???

[@brownsrvlifecampground9322]

You made a good updated video for RVs this is good info.