What trailer sway looks like

"However, the statement "simply should not sway" is incorrect."

I have to wonder, how did we tow trailers all those years before WD hitches and sway control gimmicks were invented?
It is amazing that we lived to tell the tale!

Agree all that was said about the video and sway issue but one thing that was over looked was the propane bottles flopping around during the sway, I wonder is it legal to have propane bottles hanging on the rear end of bumper like that? Propane bottles flying around when an accident occurs I think could have severe consequences. Anyway that my $ 0.02

rockhillmanor wrote:


Learning to tow ALSO encompasses turning, backing, parking, etc henceforth the using a parking lot to hone those skills.

Can't tell you how many fellow CG neighbors TT's I've backed into their sites for them because they could not, that yes bought a TT but did not know how to back them. A few days at their local mall parking lot after they bought and before they headed out to their first CG it would have remedied that.

If you are pro 'don't learn anything BEFORE hitting the open road' so be it. God speed and have a nice day. :C

Like I said you can only lean so much in a parking lot.

And as far as backing goes you would be amazed where I can put my semi truck and tanker.

fireman41 wrote:



Kinda hard to learn how to tow a trailer at high way speeds in a parking lot.
AND you can only learn so much riding shot gun.

:R
Learning to tow ALSO encompasses turning, backing, parking, etc henceforth the using a parking lot to hone those skills.

Can't tell you how many fellow CG neighbors TT's I've backed into their sites for them because they could not, that yes bought a TT but did not know how to back them. A few days at their local mall parking lot after they bought and before they headed out to their first CG it would have remedied that.

If you are pro 'don't learn anything BEFORE hitting the open road' so be it. God speed and have a nice day. :C

rockhillmanor wrote:

bid_time wrote:

rockhillmanor wrote:
..IMHO most RV'ers have NEVER towed any type of trailer in their lifetime. Yet. Because they own a truck or Suv they go out and buy an RV trailer and hit the road with absolutely NO experience or training on how to haul a trailer 'safely' OR what to do in case of an emergency while towing one...

And so how did you get your experience and training?

From my Dad in a parking lot first and 'many' times, than on desolate roads and then up on the highway WITH him sitting shotgun. Until HE thought I was 'ready' and 'knew' how to tow safely in all conditions to go solo. :C

But that was back in the day when parents actually taught you something and cared to do so.

I can't begin to tell you how many RV people I meet on the road/CG's that say it is there very FIRST time ever towing....as I am looking at 30 odd feet of a TT and a TV hooked up to it that is not even capable of towing it. Just read some of the posts here that state I just bought this and I have never towed before.

While many of us have had experience towing before we purchased a RV TT I think there are 10 times more out there on the road that have none. Just saying.

Kinda hard to learn how to tow a trailer at high way speeds in a parking lot.
AND you can only learn so much riding shot gun.

mowermech wrote:
I disagree! IMO, it makes a very good case for loading your trailer (ANY trailer!) properly
Any sway control gadget is, IMO, a band-aid approach to the problem.
A properly built, properly loaded trailer, being towed by a proper tow vehicle, on proper tires, with proper inflation, simply should not sway.
IF there is any sway at all, the correct thing to do is find out why, and FIX THE PROBLEM. Trying to cover up a sway problem by using a "sway control" could very likely result in just what the video shows!

I don't think you understand the basic flaw in a TT hitch that actually causes sway. The hitch pivot point is well behind the TV rear axle. Look at the geometry of that and think about that, then look at a Hensley to see how to fix the flaw. Oh, and that's also why fifth wheel trailers have no inherent sway either.

mowermech wrote:

Any sway control gadget is, IMO, a band-aid approach to the problem.
A properly built, properly loaded trailer, being towed by a proper tow vehicle, on proper tires, with proper inflation, simply should not sway.
IF there is any sway at all, the correct thing to do is find out why, and FIX THE PROBLEM. Trying to cover up a sway problem by using a "sway control" could very likely result in just what the video shows!

That is simply not true. Sway control COULD be a band aid if one is getting a lot of sway and doesn't correct it. So in that respect I'd agree, it should not be considered a "fix" to recurring or chronic sway issues. The correct fix is to set it up properly.

However, the statement "simply should not sway" is incorrect. Sway control is insurance. It's to help during instances of unexpected issues that can and do occasionally occur.

I had it happen once on a wet road. On a return trip where I was only about 15 miles from home, and only doing about 45 mph. The back wheels of my truck hit a slick spot and went sideways. The trailer went bananas. I thought I was going to lose it, as it was moving back and forth the wheels of the trailer were coming off the ground. I panicked, my brain froze and my hand could't find the manual brake control level. I slowly pumped the brakes and got it under control, then pulled over and looked on the floor for my heart. Longest 10 seconds of my life. I'm convinced that if I didn't have the sway control I would have lost the trailer.

Slick roads, potholes, evasive maneuvers and other conditions are not problems you can "fix" with your trailer setup. You can't even guess if or when they are going to happen.

BenK wrote:
For those who do not know this...hit the brake controller's manual to set the
trailer brakes and SPEED up a bit to straighten that thing up.

Speed up, as is giving a bit of throttle to pull and the trailer brakes to hold
back the trailer...that will straighten it up

Then SLOW DOWN and consider either or both better component and adjust them
properly

Glad someone said it! Seen all the post about him not slowing down or break lights and found it funny that the way to get out, is to pull out. Feathering of the brakes is also a must, especially when power is an issues at higher speeds.

That's what a lot of people do not realize, does your truck have the ability to pull your trailer at 70mph is not the huge question, does it have the power to pull you out of trouble is the real question.

I can't tell if he was speeding or not from the video to be honest, I think he reduced speed when the sway hit and that caused him to lose control. Poor setup started it, bad driving finished it!

I've seen that one before. Yes, appears to be going way too fast, and Sway control is unknown.

Take note what the TV is. That's a 3\4 or one ton Ford super duty truck. So even if you have "enough truck" you still need to set it up properly and drive safely.

For those who do not know this...hit the brake controller's manual to set the
trailer brakes and SPEED up a bit to straighten that thing up.

Speed up, as is giving a bit of throttle to pull and the trailer brakes to hold
back the trailer...that will straighten it up

Then SLOW DOWN and consider either or both better component and adjust them
properly