dog wagging the tail
Can someone explain the sensation you get behind the wheel when you have tail wagging the dog.
Forum Discussion
ford truck guy wrote:
I believe it is called "Tail wagging the dog" .. It is when you feel that you have to constantly correct the tow vehicle due to the trailer swaying too much behind you.The front of the trailer pushing and pushing the rear of the truck.
This can be caused by several different things including but not limited to--high winds...light pin weight , too heavy of a trailer period , and so on..
Like already stated , you will know when the tail is wagging the dog.. No doubt you will need to pull over and access what is going on....
AND to safely pull over with it wagging apply the trailer brakes ONLY hard until the wagging stops. Do not apply the prime mover brakes hard or the trailer may pass you. :(
A good rule of thumb is to have 10% of total trailer weight on the tongue. That is for tag alongs, not 5th wheels. 5th wheels can be 15-25% I believe----depends on the truck.
