Trailer Sway

[rwj146]

I have a small (18 ft) Terry Resort trailer, it's nothing fancy a 1988 but in good shape. I picked it up in California, combining a visit with a friend and getting this trailer.

I had it loaded wrong and jack-knifed it in the middle of I-10. No one hurt, except my pride and a small ding on the trailer and a large ding on the truck.

I bought a weight distribution hitch (Equalizer Elite w/sway control)and finished the trip home to Ft Worth.

I had the trailer repaired, the dent was small and no structural damage just the metal.

Pulling it home from the repair shop in Oklahoma with the w/d hitch and sway set up I still noticed a small wiggle. Maybe I'm just snake-bit but each wiggle tightened my grip on the wheel.

I plan on some extensive travels until my health grounds me and worrying about another spin-out doesn't help.

Any ideas? or is it just normal?

Thanks

[Ivylog]

A WD hitch is not the solution...more tongue weight is. On that small a trailer I doubt you need WD. If the water tank is in front of the axles that will add more tongue weight. Is there an equalizing arm between the springs of the axles? If not, you need to raise your ball, not lower it.

[SoundGuy]

rwj146 wrote:
I bought a weight distribution hitch (Equalizer Elite w/sway control)and finished the trip home to Ft Worth.

What's an "Equalizer Elite"? :h Got a link?

[LarryJM]

Until you get some real weights and get your WDH system set up properly using those ACTUAL FACTS instead of just GUESSING like you are now you will continue to play Russian roulette towing and you already know how that goes:R.

Larry

[rwj146]

I have a GMC 1/2 ton , the trailer is a tandem axle. I'm going to fill the water tank and see if that helps. I can lower my hitch ball one more slot and may try that.

Thanks for the responses.

[old_guy]

you need to sit back and reinstall you set up. I remember towing a race car one day and it had a big block in it and I still had sway with the TT. weight in the the front or on the tongue is not real guarantee you will not have sway I would start with the hitch set up and make sure it is set up properly

[westend]

Whatcha' pulling with?

I know the times I've had a single axle, moving weight to the front always improved the ride. Helps to have some weight in the bed of the truck, too.