Trailer Sway - non RV question
I rented a U-Haul trailer to tow our latest project back to NJ from SC. I've used these trailers several times in the past without any issues, with the same tow vehicle (my '07 Avalanche) and cars that are a similar weight.
This trip was about 700-miles each way. So you could imagine my panic when I loaded up and got on the highway and the thing was swaying all over the place. I was not looking forward to a white-knuckle, 14-hour ride home. I made it, but I'm looking for some insight to avoid this in the future.
Max towing capacity is 8,000 lbs. on the Avalanche. U-Haul trailer weighs 2,200 lbs. The car's (1964 Impala wagon) "shipping weight" is 3,900 lbs. That's 6,100 lbs. total. The wheelbase of the car was pretty much as long as the trailer, with a significant amount of overhang out over the back of the trailer (I'd say 3-4 feet). I'm thinking this might have been part of the problem.
Upon accelerating onto the highway the first time, it started swaying at around 55 MPH. It got worse and worse so I let up on the gas (did not apply brakes) and let it coast until it was under control. I slowly accelerated to 50 MPH where it seemed okay. On the flats and uphill it seemed okay, but going downhill it would start to sway pretty bad above 55 MPH. I got off on the next exit.
I remembered reading here (I think) that increasing the tongue weight can help. I took the spare out of the back of the wagon (even though it only weighs like 50 lbs) and put it in my truck. Even though the trailer and truck were level (I have a drop hitch), I pulled the fuse for the auto-level suspension and let it drop a bit hoping for more weight on the tongue. That seemed to help a lot, but it was still pretty sketchy.
My dad commented that the tongue on the trailer seemed to be unusually long - and it was. It had the trailer probably 4-5 feet behind the truck. Not sure if that's a factor or not.
We stopped for the night after about 8 hours. My nerves were frayed.
For the last leg of the trip, I tightened up the surge brake on the trailer so that it would engage earlier. I made sure it was still free at a stop. This seemed to make a huge difference - the rest of the ride home was pretty good. Going down hills the surge brake would seem to kick in and keep the sway under control, or if I braked slightly the surge brake would immediately correct the sway (I know you're not supposed to brake). Trucks passing would upset it a bit, but that's to be expected.
Any guesses as to what the issue was here? I know it's not a lot go to on, but it's really shaken my confidence in towing with these trailers.
This trip was about 700-miles each way. So you could imagine my panic when I loaded up and got on the highway and the thing was swaying all over the place. I was not looking forward to a white-knuckle, 14-hour ride home. I made it, but I'm looking for some insight to avoid this in the future.
Max towing capacity is 8,000 lbs. on the Avalanche. U-Haul trailer weighs 2,200 lbs. The car's (1964 Impala wagon) "shipping weight" is 3,900 lbs. That's 6,100 lbs. total. The wheelbase of the car was pretty much as long as the trailer, with a significant amount of overhang out over the back of the trailer (I'd say 3-4 feet). I'm thinking this might have been part of the problem.
Upon accelerating onto the highway the first time, it started swaying at around 55 MPH. It got worse and worse so I let up on the gas (did not apply brakes) and let it coast until it was under control. I slowly accelerated to 50 MPH where it seemed okay. On the flats and uphill it seemed okay, but going downhill it would start to sway pretty bad above 55 MPH. I got off on the next exit.
I remembered reading here (I think) that increasing the tongue weight can help. I took the spare out of the back of the wagon (even though it only weighs like 50 lbs) and put it in my truck. Even though the trailer and truck were level (I have a drop hitch), I pulled the fuse for the auto-level suspension and let it drop a bit hoping for more weight on the tongue. That seemed to help a lot, but it was still pretty sketchy.
My dad commented that the tongue on the trailer seemed to be unusually long - and it was. It had the trailer probably 4-5 feet behind the truck. Not sure if that's a factor or not.
We stopped for the night after about 8 hours. My nerves were frayed.
For the last leg of the trip, I tightened up the surge brake on the trailer so that it would engage earlier. I made sure it was still free at a stop. This seemed to make a huge difference - the rest of the ride home was pretty good. Going down hills the surge brake would seem to kick in and keep the sway under control, or if I braked slightly the surge brake would immediately correct the sway (I know you're not supposed to brake). Trucks passing would upset it a bit, but that's to be expected.
Any guesses as to what the issue was here? I know it's not a lot go to on, but it's really shaken my confidence in towing with these trailers.
