a dumb but legitimate question

[dspencer]

Okay i'm not trying to start a flaming war here but i have probably the worlds dumbest question. What is tail wagging the dog and what does it feel like? I have never had this problem but see it talked about frequently and always wondered what it was and what it felt like. Let the flaming begin. :B

[ependydad]

GoPackGo wrote:
Happened to me one time long ago. I was driving a Dodge van pulling a heavy 22 ft trailer on a 2 lane highway. A semi passed me going the other way. That got the trailer moving back and forth sideways. I felt the trailer begin to pull the back of the van from one side to the other, getting worse by the second. Scared me to death. Luckily I had the presence of mind to quickly grab at the trailer brake controller and actuate the trailer brakes. I did not touch the van brakes. The brake controller stopped the swaying RIGHT NOW and I went on my way.

The story still scares me even now.

You WILL know it if it ever happens to you.

My pop-up got wiggling behind my Durango the first time that I had it out. I did the same as you- left up on the gas and gently squeeze the trailer brakes. You're right- it's a feeling that you'll never forget nor want to experience again!

Learned my lesson on avoiding it in the future!

[GoPackGo]

Happened to me one time long ago. I was driving a Dodge van pulling a heavy 22 ft trailer on a 2 lane highway. A semi passed me going the other way. That got the trailer moving back and forth sideways. I felt the trailer begin to pull the back of the van from one side to the other, getting worse by the second. Scared me to death. Luckily I had the presence of mind to quickly grab at the trailer brake controller and actuate the trailer brakes. I did not touch the van brakes. The brake controller stopped the swaying RIGHT NOW and I went on my way.

The story still scares me even now.

You WILL know it if it ever happens to you.

[atreis]

2oldman wrote:

atreis wrote:
I experienced it once back when I had a PUP..

A pup! Get it.. tail.. dog!? hahahaha

:S

[2oldman]

atreis wrote:
I experienced it once back when I had a PUP..

A pup! Get it.. tail.. dog!? hahahaha

[atreis]

I experienced it once back when I had a PUP, which I towed without sway control. Not at all pleasant. I've not experienced it at all though towing this trailer.

[coolbreeze01]

Causes can be inadequate tongue weight, low tire pressure, high winds, sudden over steering. Proper tongue weight, tire pressure, and steering you control. Lower your speed or just park in high winds.

[rhagfo]

Farmerkev wrote:

wandering1 wrote:

transamz9 wrote:

goducks10 wrote:
It means you need a dually.

You can get it with a dually too sir. Why do you want to give false info?

OP, tail wag is caused by an improperly balanced trailer.

Not.

Caused by an inadequate tow vehicle.

No, he was right, you are wrong.
The trailer doesn't know what is pulling it, if it's wrong it will sway.
You might not feel it if your pulling it with a diesel electric locomotive but it's still back there whipping side to side.

It can happen to any combination, but more likely to happen to a rig that is too small of TV for the trailer. Too that end, with a very good hitch, that is perfectly setup you can tow too big of a trailer with too small of TV and get away with it, still and accident waiting to happen.

[mowermech]

A properly built, properly loaded trailer will NOT sway!
If you do encounter trailer sway, there will be no doubt in your mind what it is! The trailer will start to sway side to side in ever increasing arcs. Applying the TRAILER brakes will stop the sway momentarily. Slowing down may help prevent the sway. The important thing is, do NOT install a "sway control" thinking it will solve the problem. Find out what is wrong with the trailer, FIX IT, and then, if the sway control will make you feel better, get one.

[AH64ID]

It doesn't have to be an undersized tow vehicle, it can also be an improperly loaded trailer or incorrect setup hitch.

A DRW is simply a bandaid in that case, so is a stiffer suspension.

[Farmerkev]

wandering1 wrote:

transamz9 wrote:

goducks10 wrote:
It means you need a dually.

You can get it with a dually too sir. Why do you want to give false info?

OP, tail wag is caused by an improperly balanced trailer.

Not.

Caused by an inadequate tow vehicle.

No, he was right, you are wrong.
The trailer doesn't know what is pulling it, if it's wrong it will sway.
You might not feel it if your pulling it with a diesel electric locomotive but it's still back there whipping side to side.

[wandering1]

transamz9 wrote:

goducks10 wrote:
It means you need a dually.

You can get it with a dually too sir. Why do you want to give false info?

OP, tail wag is caused by an improperly balanced trailer.

Not.

Caused by an inadequate tow vehicle.

[wandering1]

goducks10 wrote:
It means you need a dually.

It means you need a stiffer suspension not a dually.

[APT]

2oldman wrote:
It means the trailer is too much for the truck.

Not necessarily. It happens when my Reese dual cam is improperly adjusted as it's picky about the cam lobe alignment.

But yes, dog's tails do not typically cause the rest of the do to move. So trailers should not cause the tow vehicle to move.

[dspencer]

Merrykalia wrote:
dspencer, you wanted to know what it felt like.


It feels like......DIRTY UNDERWEAR!!!!

Thank God I haven't felt that in a very long time, :E