Do all TTs sway?

If you are not using one of the super-duper hitches, one of the modern challenges is getting the right weight onto the tongue.

I point this out because the TT manufacturers are playing a numbers game when it comes to marketing. So if they balance things so there is "barely" 10% of the weight on the hitch, it avoids looking like the TT is too heavy for many 1/2 ton vehicles (for those actually trying to stay within Payload or Rear Axle limits).

So in my case I have a tongue-light TT combined with a very non-aggressive WDH and that leads to sway challenges (mostly above 60MPH). I'm only going into my 2nd season of towing (over 3,000 miles last year), so I'm still learning.

Best of luck to you and happy camping!

Terryallan wrote:
Fact is. A properly balanced TT with a properly adjusted WDH will NOT sway. Sway being defined as the trailer beginning to move back and forth on it's own while running straight down the road. That should NEVER happen at any speed. If is does you have other problems.

It should not sway even IF you have NO sway control. IF it does. Again, you have other problems. Find out what the problem is and fix it. Be it low tires, poor balance, or incorrect hitch. AFTER you fix the sway problem. Get it to run with no sway at any speed. Then and ONLY then add sway control.

Sway control is for those time when sway is induced by dodging a child, deer, or other vehicle. I use sway control just for those time. I have O sway with my TT.

So to answer your question. You should have O sway. Will you feel the TT from time to time? Like in a strong wind, or when another vehicle passes Of course, but it should never pull you around. Never cause you alarm.

I think this is well said. My trailer is pretty stable but I still use an Equalizer for those times when passing trucks, high winds and kids jump out in front of me. Dodging kids and other animals could cause some trouble. If you have lots of money you can get a hitch that "prevents" sway. I have tires that prevent blowouts. I am looking for a good bumper that will prevent accidents.

Try a dif approach to towing. When a correction is needed, try half of what's needed, I have finaly got a. Idea . See if it works for me . Now it's all happy-camping

Nvr2loud wrote:

SteveAE wrote:
Hi,

I have to respectfully disagree with many of the previous posters here.

What do you disagree with?

Nvr2loud,

Ah, sorry about that.
I disagree that a trailer (properly designed, set up and loaded) will not sway (per my definition of sway). It just takes the right input, or combination of inputs, and anything mounted on a pivot point (like a trailer ball) will move. Physics.
But I have no desire to fight any battles here, just giving the OP my opinion.

I have towed lots of trailers and the only time I experienced "sway" was when the rear suspension on the tow vehicle was overloaded. Put a ton of sand in the bed of the average half ton pickup and you will know what causes sway.

If I ever buy another TT I'll make sure the axles are as far rearward as possible. Having owned tow TT's, one with the axles father rearward and the other with them closer to center, I can vouch for the fact that some tow worse than others.

Back to the Ops question, I do not think you can predict sway with any reasonable TV/TT combination ahead of time. However it is obvious that it is a problem for many people.

Since the day I picked it up and the dealer installed the WD hitch, my 25 ft. TT has been rock steady through wind buffs, hard stops, swerves and a few other things I would not care to do again.

There is nothing mystical here, a ½ ton F-150 4X4 and a 5000 lbs. dry weight TT; similar to dozens of other units going down the road. That is why I wonder if some TT designs simply are not as stable as others.

Maybe there are slide/bath/kitchen combinations that create more instability than others, but that is just a wild guess on my part.

I can also say my PUP always has a little fish tailing but it weighs less than 1/3 rd. of my TT. I never took the time to try to correct it.

DutchmenSport wrote:

Terryallan wrote:

chevor wrote:
sounds like your driving too fast when you have to dodge Children.

REally, Really.
One in every crowd :S

I know everyone has different reasons for camping, and everyone has different expectations, needs and wants too. This is one I will add to my list of "game" to play next time I go out .... "Dodge Children!" Sounds like fun! :B Let's see how sharp we can jack the trailer around before it tips over! :B

Got to dodge em. Wrinkles up the front of the truck if you don't :W.. Durn bikes get stuck in the grill. :h

Terryallan wrote:

chevor wrote:
sounds like your driving too fast when you have to dodge Children.

REally, Really.
One in every crowd :S

I know everyone has different reasons for camping, and everyone has different expectations, needs and wants too. This is one I will add to my list of "game" to play next time I go out .... "Dodge Children!" Sounds like fun! :B Let's see how sharp we can jack the trailer around before it tips over! :B

chevor wrote:
sounds like your driving too fast when you have to dodge Children.

REally, Really.
One in every crowd :S