Towing Safely: What "sway" looks like.

[Rustic Eagle]

Recent compilation video of sway events leading to a crash (couple previously posted).....

Bob

 

[mhh-JAY]

Most of the wrecks you see from severe sway is because the trailer has to much weight behind its axles. People need to learn how to load their trailers properly.

 

[Rustic Eagle]

A lot going on in this sway event...: Semi momentarily braking prior to passing TV/TT under overpass, semi speed(?), appears to be a highway downgrade, sway initiated under overpass (?), etc..

Bob

 

[Ann-Marie]

So for my education, apart from trying to slow down, what should you do to recover from that situation. It looks like oversteering to correct the sway - do you just ignore it and steer straight ahead?

 

[Rustic Eagle]

Ann-Marie,

In a highway down-grade condition (reference video), "my" initial reaction would be to maintain straight steering while 'manually' applying the trailer brakes (@ brake controller), letting up on the gas pedal to reduce TV speed and once TT sway is under control gradually apply TV brakes.

Bob

 

[435-fht]

In a highway down-grade condition (reference video), "my" initial reaction would be to maintain straight steering while 'manually' applying the trailer brakes (@ brake controller), letting up on the gas pedal to reduce TV speed and once TT sway is under control gradually apply TV brakes.

I've never had to do this on the open road, but when I started a trip with my TT, I would apply the trailer brakes while driving through my neighborhood at 15 MPH.

It accomplished two things. One it verified my trailer brakes worked. Secondly, it helped to familiarize me with the location of the manual trailer brake switch. My hope was in an emergency, I could find the trailer brake switch and apply the brakes without taking my eyes off the road.

 

[Murff]

I have also heard that accelerating and holding the wheel straight, if room and possible, will stop sway.

The video above looks like too much trailer for the tow vehicle with a short wheel base and the added weight on the rear bumper of the trailer aggrevating a bad situation. Kind of a tail wagging the dog!

Murff