The Basics of Travel Trailer Sway Control

Towing a travel trailer is a relatively easy thing to do, once you’re used to it, but there are some issues that can arise on the road. One common problem is trailer sway, where the travel trailer drifts back and forth on the hitch-point, potentially moving into other lanes of traffic, which can cause an accident. There are some things you can do to limit the potential for trailer sway, some of which we’ve outlined below.

Avoid Overburdening Your Travel Trailer

One of the biggest causes of trailer sway is an overloaded and unbalanced trailer. When loading your trailer, be mindful of how much weight it can handle and make use of a highway weigh station upon your departure to make sure you haven’t put too much weight on the trailer. Also, you should endeavor to balance the weight of the cargo in your travel trailer evenly from left to right to avoid putting too much pressure on two tires.

Check the Forecast & Be Aware

You should also check the weather forecast before you depart with your towing setup to see whether high winds are on your route, as this is another contributing factor to trailer sway. You may need to find a new route or delay departure if a storm is brewing. Also, if you’re on the road and you experience high winds, you should keep your steering wheel straight, brake slowly, and pull over to a safe area to wait the winds out as soon as you can.

Inspect & Drive With Care

Performing a pre-trip inspection of your travel trailer and towing vehicle can help you address any issues that might contribute to trailer sway on the road. This might include missing towing chains, a loose hitch, open windows or doors, or low tire pressure.

Once you’re on the road, you must exercise extreme caution and avoid traveling at high speeds. You should also avoid making sudden maneuvers that can compel your trailer to drift into traffic.

When you’re ready to buy a travel trailer of your own, come see us at our Fort Lupton, CO, to take a look at our current stock of new and used travel trailers for sale. Mericle RV is proud to be your Colorado travel trailer dealer, serving the cities of Denver and Aurora.