We have a 2013 Somerset E2 "Off-road" PUP. We were on our way to the dealer for lift repair when a minor dip in the road surface caused the trailer to start swaying wildly. I immediately applied the electric brake controller brake (not the TV brakes) . . .nothing happened; that is it continued to sway wildly. We then started applying the TV brakes gently and to pull off on the shoulder. After a hair raising stop, we barely avoided a culvert and guardrail. After I checked myself for wet pants, I got out and rechecked all the hookups. The alarming thing is that this is the 3rd time it has done this for no apparent reason. Does anybody have any insights or possible causes?? We're about to get rid of it.

Is your trailer riding level?It should be. You may need to get a drawbar that lowers front of the trailer.Make and model of tow vehicle?How high is the ball?How high is the trailer coupler when trailer is level?

You did the right thing to first trying to apply the electric controlled trailer brakes. That would have brought you of your emergency trailer sway situation. However, since nothing happened, you also have a serious problem with your trailer brakes or the controller. Be sure to have that matter taken care of as well as the cause of your trailer sway.Too light of tongue weight and/or trailer not level (hitch too high) are the primary causes of trailer sway.

First off, I would check the trailer brakes, if you applied them manually without effect they need adjusting or shoe replacement. As was already mentioned, how level is the trailer when hitched? With the long cargo area out front, with not a lot of weight, if the front is high it could be creating lift when your up to highway speed.

Thanks for the quick replay and encouraging words. The trailer hitch was probably a bit too high it was what we used before we bought our new Tacoma double cab. The dealer is checking the trailer brakes but seemed reluctant to check the controller since they didn't install it. If I can't find a hitch that is perfectly level, would it be better to have a slight downward lean frontward. Oh and BTY this hitch on our Highlander made the trailer ride perfectly level and yet it still did the same thing which is one reason we switched to the Tacoma; that and my son needed a reliable used car.

Have to ask. how fast were you going when it started swaying? Get your balance right, and the swaying should stop

HELP trailer sway almost killed us! | Good Sam Community

SidecarFlip
Explorer III
Aug 12, 2017
cahillprc2 wrote:
This particular trial has a 12' box but no cargo area out front. We were traveling 60MPH on Interstate 70 outside of Baltimore where the posted limit is 70 MPH and people and big rigs drive 80mph. We were in the far right lane and if we went any slower we would have pose a danger as well. I obviously made a mistake using the hitch we had because it did ride a bit high in the front. We'll be getting a new one ASAP.. Someone mentioned a drawbar, what is that?

Not exactly correct. The minimum speed on any Interstate (Federally funded highway) is 45 mph. Don't thin big t=rigs are going 80. Most are governed speed wise to a maximum 70 mph. Heavy truck tires are not rated for speeds above 70 anyway.
JayGee
Explorer
Aug 12, 2017
When you had the problem were the water tanks loaded? Is the water tank in the back of the trailer? Could the back of the trailer been heavier than the front for any reason? It is important to have 15% of weight on the tongue. I would bet that some weight redistribution will help your problem in addition to having a hitch that sets the trailer level.
cahillprc2
Explorer
Aug 12, 2017
This particular trial has a 12' box but no cargo area out front. We were traveling 60MPH on Interstate 70 outside of Baltimore where the posted limit is 70 MPH and people and big rigs drive 80mph. We were in the far right lane and if we went any slower we would have pose a danger as well. I obviously made a mistake using the hitch we had because it did ride a bit high in the front. We'll be getting a new one ASAP.. Someone mentioned a drawbar, what is that?
kerrlakeRoo
Explorer
Aug 12, 2017
Did you have much in the cargo basket? With the length of that if you were loaded mostly at the rear of it, you likely had a very low tongue weight, and if it was pointed up , it got lighter the faster you went.
Switching to the Tacoma, did you reduce weight in the basket even more?
Terryallan
Explorer II
Aug 12, 2017
Have to ask. how fast were you going when it started swaying? Get your balance right, and the swaying should stop
cahillprc2
Explorer
Aug 12, 2017
Thanks for the quick replay and encouraging words. The trailer hitch was probably a bit too high it was what we used before we bought our new Tacoma double cab. The dealer is checking the trailer brakes but seemed reluctant to check the controller since they didn't install it. If I can't find a hitch that is perfectly level, would it be better to have a slight downward lean frontward. Oh and BTY this hitch on our Highlander made the trailer ride perfectly level and yet it still did the same thing which is one reason we switched to the Tacoma; that and my son needed a reliable used car.
kerrlakeRoo
Explorer
Aug 12, 2017
First off, I would check the trailer brakes, if you applied them manually without effect they need adjusting or shoe replacement. As was already mentioned, how level is the trailer when hitched? With the long cargo area out front, with not a lot of weight, if the front is high it could be creating lift when your up to highway speed.
3oaks
Explorer
Aug 12, 2017
You did the right thing to first trying to apply the electric controlled trailer brakes. That would have brought you of your emergency trailer sway situation. However, since nothing happened, you also have a serious problem with your trailer brakes or the controller. Be sure to have that matter taken care of as well as the cause of your trailer sway.

Too light of tongue weight and/or trailer not level (hitch too high) are the primary causes of trailer sway.
enblethen
Nomad
Aug 12, 2017
Is your trailer riding level?
It should be. You may need to get a drawbar that lowers front of the trailer.
Make and model of tow vehicle?
How high is the ball?
How high is the trailer coupler when trailer is level?

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HELP trailer sway almost killed us!

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