Tips To Avoid Travel Trailer Sway

If you’re new to traveling with a travel trailer, you should know that sooner or later you will experience swaying. It can be pretty scary to feel like you’re losing control over your vehicle as it sways back and forth against your will. If you lose your cool, you may not be able to regain control!

The best way to handle trailer sway is to minimize the possibility of it occurring. To help you do that, we at Herold Trailer Sales have compiled some information to help reduce sway. To learn more or to check out travel trailers for sale in Indianola, IA, contact our sales department for further assistance. We’re proud to be the leading travel trailer dealer for our patrons from Des Moines, IA and Omaha, NE!

Prevention

You’ve probably heard the proverb: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. That applies here too! Being a little proactive before you take your travel trailer out can help combat sway. Inspect your wheels to make sure they’re ready for the journey ahead. Check your tire tread and air pressure and ensure both are up to the standards outlined in your owner’s manual. Pack your camper so that the weight is evenly distributed. Stay within the bounds of your tongue weight and avoid overloading your camper. The limits are there for a reason!

Tongue Weight

One of the main reasons for travel trailer sway is misplaced weight on the tongue. Try to rest about 10-12% of the RV’s weight on the tongue. Take your camper to a commercial scale at a truck stop or material supply. Then remove or adjust your weight as needed.  Heavier cargo should be placed at the front of the trailer and centered from left to right. Make sure you tie down the cargo to prevent the items moving around (and undoing your careful weight placement!)

Trailer Upgrades

There are some travel trailer upgrades that offer specialized customization and can help prevent swaying. One is a friction sway control device. This device places resistance on the trailer and tow vehicle, which reduces the impact of wind gusts and sharp turns. This is an ideal addition for travel trailers with a low tongue weight percentage. For higher tongue weight percentage, use these devices on both sides of the hitch. You can also tweak the device to get the maximum performance results. Choose from three different styles to find the one that works best for your RV. 

Dealing with Windy Conditions

Another major reason behind trailer sway is the wind. The best way to avoid this is to avoid driving in very windy conditions. Before you head out, make sure you check the weather conditions. If there’s a high chance of wind, postpone the trip if possible. However, this isn’t a solution for all drivers. Sometimes you have to head out despite the wind, and sometimes the wind starts up when you’re already on the road.  In those scenarios, you’ll need to work to minimize the sway.

When you’re out and things get windy, avoid slamming on the brakes. It’s much better to gradually decrease your speed while applying your trailer brakes first. Keep your wheel steady and try to drive in as straight of a line as possible. Avoid making any sudden turns or jerks to one side. If the wind is bad enough, it may be best to pull over and wait for it to die down.

We hope you’ll find these tips useful! Remember to stay calm if you do experience trailer sway and try to be proactive about it. Always prioritize your safety and that of other motorists. To ensure your travel trailer is functioning smoothly, contact the service department at Herold Trailer Sales in Indianola, IA for all your parts and maintenance needs. If you’re looking for travel trailers for sale near Des Moines, IA or Omaha, NE, get in touch with us to see our wide selection!