Which is the right move in a split second decision?

[temccarthy1]

After reading many instances on this site and seeing terrifying videos of TT crashes caused by sway getting out of control, I have seen many comments saying to accelerate if it starts to sway out of control to regain control as well as many saying to apply the trailer brakes from the brake controller... Which is it? Those are 2 opposite moves . Which do most experienced trailer drivers recommend? What have been your experiences with either?
Obviously if this situation happens, I need to know what will best correct it so I can regain control and will not have time to think about it.
your experiences and opinions are very important to me. Thanks in advance!

[joshuajim]

Only once did I encounter significant trailer sway. My rig is set up well and I rarely even feel push from semi’s. I was in Utah and while slowly passing a semi on a gentle curve, there was a almost insignificant drop off from the road to the shoulder due to construction. The trailer wheels crossed over the slight drop just as I hit the bow wave from the semi and possible got hit by a gust of wind (had numerous gusts that day). The trailer did one large pendulum swing and then stabilized when the truck anti-sway kicked in. It happened so quick that I didn’t even have time to think about it before it was over.

Yes trailer sway can occur due to many unforeseen circumstances.

[Fubeca]

Often sway is induced by speed. Jamming the accelerator may result in some "pull" to help get it in line - but it may just exacerbate the problem. Further, unless you have a ton of power on tap your aren't going to have much effect anyway.

Applying the trailer brakes with the lever will almost ALWAYS reduce or eliminate sway if caught soon enough. I think hitting the trailer brakes should be the instant response as soon as sway is noticed.

[beemerphile1]

From personal experience in an out of control sway situation when I was sure we would crash - keep steady throttle and activate trailer brakes with manual control - we didn't crash.

The arrogance of anyone stating that it won't happen to me because my setup is correct is absurd. It can happen to anyone, be prepared when it does.

[mtofell1]

Trailer brakes is always the first and best option in my mind. Along with letting off the gas. Trusting yourself to accelerate when the poop is hitting the fan is asking a lot. Maybe some well trained Navy seal has the focus to pull that off but I know I don't. The natural human reaction is to hit the brakes. The best you can hope for is to let off the gas and stay off the brakes.

I'm sure in some situations I'd be able to accelerate but trusting that I can do it in an all out emergency is a stretch. When I'm in "RV driving mode" my hand is always ready to grab that lever in an instant. And the funny thing is I'm in a 5th wheel and rarely have to worry about sway. My habits from years of towing trailers stick with me.

[opnspaces]

If the trailer starts swaying the option is to apply the trailer brakes. Then once it is back under control you slow down. Take your foot off the gas and keep the trailer brakes manually applied until you slow down.

You need to put tension on the joint between the hitch ball and the tongue. There are two ways to do this. Put on the trailer brakes while the vehicle is still under power. Or accelerate to attempt to fix a problem that is caused by going too fast.

[rhagfo]

ken56 wrote:
The speed up theory is for a tire blow out. I agree with the be gentle and no sudden movement on the gas or brakes of the TV and maybe actuate the trailer brakes 1/2 manually......hopefully the steering wheel is not so hard to handle that you can take one hand off the wheel to actuate the trailer brakes.

All this concern about being able to control the steering wheel with one hand! This should not be an issue with power steering, we use to do it all the time with a manual transmission, wait I still do it as I have a manual.
Best to apply trailer brakes and hold a steady speed. As mentioned earlier you need to stretch out the rope. If you try to slow even by backing off the throttle you will need more trailer brake.
I believe that the biggest issue is failure to recognize the sway early enough to control it.

[Terryallan]

myredracer wrote:
I've sometimes read some say that using the brake controller when you start to get bad sway is the thing to do. But in the OP's "split second" it takes to be involved in serious sway and possibly a catastrophic accident, how would you be able to find and activate the BC? I haven't adjusted ours and have rarely looked at it in years and wouldn't know where the SOL button is even if I had seconds to find it. I've gone to a lot of effort and expense to set our TT & truck up to prevent sway and it's never a problem. I wouldn't be towing at a speed that could result in bad sway to start with and would say it's partly about knowing the limits and capability of your particular TT and TV setup.

I encountered strong gusting side winds once which was kinda scary and was like driving on marbles and had to slow waay down to maintain safe control before pulling into a nearby rest stop for a while. Not the same thing as getting into a sway situation and should be towing at a much lower speed, if at all and def. not hitting the gas. TT blown over vid - RV crash to remember.

Have a question. Do you not use the lever to check the brakes every time you hook up? While I don't need to adjust it. Shortly after starting out, I always pull the lever to be sure everything is working right. To me it is a natural as checking the tires, mirrors, or buckling up. I really want to know the brakes work before I need them. Easy thing to do, only takes a second.

But you do have to warn DW. she don't like bouncing her head off the dash. Is funny though

BTW. Sway can be induced at any speed.

[Bird_Freak]

Chuck_thehammer wrote:
my advice... an old trucker..

steady on the power.. and using the hand brake paddles ..light on the trailer brakes..

this will burn off the sway.

like a jump rope and pull from both ends.. stops the movement.

my opinion.

Exactly, old trucker here too.

[delwhjr]

There is even an electronic brake controller for sway

Hayes

[wski]

Tapping the brake controller works great. Eliminates trailer sway immediately.

[Jayco-noslide]

Question is, why is it swaying? Shouldn't be if it's the right hitch, it's set up properly and you don't drive too fast or try to change direction too fast.

[jbjuices]

CarnationSailor wrote:
From experiencing a TT on the verge of swaying out of control, apply the trailer brakes. I did it immediately upon sensing the trailer sway becoming excessive, and it stopped the sway right away. I didn't have to think about what to do since I had thought about it years before and was ready to react.

Yes, also from experience...SLOW DOWN. I thought I was going to die. Hopefully my Propride will prevent that type sway, but haven't yet tried it out.

[ken56]

The speed up theory is for a tire blow out. I agree with the be gentle and no sudden movement on the gas or brakes of the TV and maybe actuate the trailer brakes 1/2 manually......hopefully the steering wheel is not so hard to handle that you can take one hand off the wheel to actuate the trailer brakes.

[temccarthy1]

THANKS EVERYONE for your quick responses! Much appreciated! Sounds like it is unanimous that easing off the gas, not accelerating is he safe way to go, and applying the trailer brakes at the same time. My BC is built in to my Expedition and the activation levers are right in front of me so easy to find. This makes a lot of sense and I think it is important to know ahead of time which move to make!
THANKS again!-- this forum is always a big help to me!

[Walaby]

Accelerating, to me anyways, would be (and was) counter-intuitive. No matter how much you train your mind to remember to do it, when you are 'in the moment', instinct will likely kick in and for me, instinct is (and was) to let off the accelerator and let natural deceleration help get it back in control.

Now, admittedly, my experience with sway was only once, and it was NOT with a travel trailer, but an open car hauler, with a car loaded. The car was not pulled forward far enough and I didn't have enough tongue weight. Didn't have an issue until getting on the freeway, then, as I got up to 60-65, the dang thing went crazy. I just slowed down and my trucks decel allowed it to get back into control where I could use the brakes to stop.

My only point is acceleration was NOT my first, second or even third thought at the time.

I've played the scenario in my mind with my TT, and believe I have my mind focused on using the trailer brakes gently to bring it in line. Hope I never have to execute.

Mike