dog wagging the tail

The trailer has to have 60% of the weight in it in front of the axle or center of axles. That puts the weight on the towing vehicle which has to be within 4 inches of level to the trailer, by adjustment of the height of the hitch by making the suspension higher or lower to the point where the maximum tongue weight is not exceeded. If the weight in the trailer exceeds the design of the trailer and thus causes the trailer frame to twist, the beef up the frame or drop the weight. A welder can stiffen the frame up by using steel cross members that transfer the weight and eliminate the twisting. Of course if the hitch on the tow vehicle is not designed for the weight of the trailer then that vehicle needs to be replaced with a qualified set up for the trailer, or the existing tow vehicle can be modified by a welder and perhaps heavier suspension parts. Also tires can cause wag too if under inflated or being wrong tire for the weight. But 9 times out of ten it's the load in the trailer being to much to the rear, so just move the heavy stuff forward and down on the floor and not up in the cabinets, which causes top heavy wag.

We drove past someone having this issue last summer. Scary stuff to witness. I can't believe they didn't pull off of the expressway. We managed to move over a lane and shot past them. No way did we want to be anywhere behind them.

Maybe this is not my issue because it doesn't seem as bad as the responses I'm getting.I don't pull a trailor this is a motorhome.I'm not sure if the feeling you get is similar but it does wander but not as bad as the posted are lmplying.

downtheroad wrote:
Here is a video that shows, "dog wagging the tail."

Click Here

WOW

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....

portscanner wrote:
You have this sudden, overwhelming urge to put on clean underwear.

That's funny!!! :B :B :B

I would also say when you turn steering wheel and trailer weight just pushes your front tires along???

You have this sudden, overwhelming urge to put on clean underwear.

Here is a video that shows, "dog wagging the tail."

Click Here

The coach wanders but not to bad since I've done tons of work on the front.I can keep it in the lane but it requires constant small adjustments to do so.The only other thing I can think is it is tail wagging but I'm not sure.

yikes. never heard that one and never experienced it.

I say 'wanna go camping?' and my dog wags his tail uncontrollably :)