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How to Keep Your Travel Trailer From Swaying

Jun. 9 2023 Safety By Sun & Fun RVs

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If you are new to towing a travel trailer, it’s important to understand the risks of trailer sway. This can cause a safety issue for yourself and other drivers on the road.

The experts at Sun & Fun RVs are here to help. We created the following beginner’s guide to understanding and preventing travel trailer sway.

Trailer Sway Causes

If your travel trailer sways, it can spell disaster for you and other drivers on the road. Here are common reasons your travel trailer sways when you are driving:

  • It may not be hitched to your towing vehicle properly. Check that the hitch is attached properly and that there are no missing pieces or loose nuts and bolts. Be sure to use the hitch that is recommended by the manufacturer.
  • There might be a little extra wind or draft. Slight changes to the weather and wind speed can cause travel trailer sway.
  • Vehicles passing you at a faster speed can cause a sudden wind that triggers it to sway.
  • The weight of items in your travel trailer might not be well-balanced.

Be In the Know Before Your Trip

Preventing dangerous travel trailer swaying starts before you hit the road. Research the route you plan to take. The height of your trailer, road conditions, and the height of any bridges you plan to drive under are important things to know. Keep these things in mind as you research:

  • How tall is the highest point of your tow vehicle and your trailer?  You will need this information so you do not try to drive under bridges and overhangs that are too low for your vehicle. Figure out the height of your vehicle and trailer and add one foot. Don’t try to drive under anything that isn’t tall enough.
  • Plan your route well. Avoid taking one-way roads or very narrow roads. Also, avoid all bridges that do not leave you enough room to pass under. Try getting a GPS with an RV trip-planning feature. These tell you the best route to take to avoid roads and highways that are not trailer-friendly.

Stop Travel Trailer Sway

If your trailer does start to sway on the road, take these steps to stop the sway:

  • Stay calm.
  • Slow down: If you feel that you're losing control because of the swaying, then gradually apply the brakes manually.
  • Do not try to correct the sway by driving counter to the swaying. Just drive straight.

If you are in the market for a travel trailer, check out the selection at Sun & Fun RVs. Our dealership is in Tiffin, Iowa, and we also serve those in Iowa City and Davenport.