Common Travel Trailer Sway Problems and Solutions
A trailer is a unpowered vehicle towed behind a powered vehicle. It’s commonly use to transport materials and goods. You may have seen a trailer pulling a flat-bed semi-trailer truck or a flatbed truck with the “trailer” part of its name. In order to tow a trailer, you need a truck with a twin axle and a C-post or forklift. Some other types of trailers include side-by-side, Gooseneck, and box trailers.
There are many different uses for a trailer and there are many different types of trailers. The type of trailer to be purchased depends on how the trailer will be used. For example, a towing trailer can be used to transport both cars and motorcycle (bikes) when used on the road, but a travel trailer is best for trips and vacations. For most uses, a two-wheel trailer with a fifth wheel attached will do the job. If the trailer will not be towing anything else, a one-wheel trailer with a tandem hitch will work better.
Trailer Sway is a common problem for trailers. This is usually caused by improper weight distribution or weak tie-downs. When the trailer is being towed, the weight of all items attached to the trailer causes the trailer to be pulled to one side when the tow vehicle is traveling straight ahead. The trailer then tries to gain lateral momentum to reverse the towing process. This is the trailer swaying back and forth.
It’s important to ensure that any fifth-wheel travel trailers have proper fifth wheel mounts. If the fifth-wheel mounts are not equipped properly, the trailer could be severely damaged during travel. Also, check the fifth-wheel mounts when the trailer is assembled because poorly manufactured fifth-wheel mounts can also lead to travel trailer problems.
When adding a fifth wheel to a travel trailer, a heavy duty tow vehicle such as a pickup truck is required. Travel trailer users using a winch system often need to tow very heavy trailers because winches are commonly used to pull trailers on public highways. The use of winches in this case is often limited because the weight of the trailer itself often exceeds the maximum allowable weight for a tow vehicle. Other options include tow bars and tie down straps, but they are rarely used.
Travel trailer sway can be extremely annoying, especially if it happens when you’re traveling at an unusual speed. To eliminate trailer sway, consider purchasing a winch that has been certified to tow at various weights. The best way to steer your trailer is by using your own vehicle for towing. To assist drivers with towing a trailer safely, many auto parts stores offer hitch replacement guides. Test the guide before towing a trailer with your vehicle for a safe experience.