Travel Trailer Sway: What You Need To Know
Getting away from it all on a relaxing vacation or camping trip can make a world of difference, and there’s no better way to do it than with your own travel trailer. But these towable RVs have some unique challenges, and one of those is trailer sway. We here at McGovern’s RV & Marine want to help you get where you’re going safely so you can enjoy the trip, so we’ve put together some information on preventing and controlling travel trailer sway. To learn more, or to see the travel trailers we have for sale, contact our store in Grande Prairie, Alberta, today!
Lower Sway Chances
The best way to handle travel trailer sway is to totally prevent it. Your first step in this process is to inspect your trailer before you leave. Maintenance issues of all sorts can contribute to trailer sway, including improper tire inflation, low tire tread, and brake issues. If you identify any of these issues, contact our service department to ensure driving the travel trailer is still safe.
Next, make sure to load your cargo properly. That means first ensuring you understand three different weight limits: your tow vehicle’s tow capacity, the weight limit on your hitch, and the weight limit of your travel trailer itself. Always keep these limits in mind, and never exceed them—they exist to keep you and those around you safe. Too much weight can increase the risk of trailer sway, and even cause other safety hazards.
Finally, keep weight distribution in mind. Distribute the weight of your cargo evenly from side to side and front to back and be sure to secure it in place. This can seriously decrease the chances of trailer sway, and it’s even better for your tires and fuel efficiency!.
Handling Trailer Sway
No matter how careful you are, there’s always the chance that travel trailer sway will occur. If this happens, keep calm and never slam on the brakes. It’s far safer to instead slowly decrease your speed. This will keep you in control and avoid adding to the chaos.
Next, do your best to drive in a straight line, so long as it’s safe. If your tow vehicle is traveling in a straight line, your travel trailer is more likely to settle into a straight line as well.
That said, if your travel trailer keeps swaying, it might be due to high winds or other road conditions. Know when it’s time to pause and wait out the weather. If your safety or the safety of other motorists seems at risk, try to get to a safe shoulder or rest stop and wait it out.
We hope these tips help you stay safe on your way to a relaxing vacation! If you have questions, or just want to see the travel trailers we have available, contact us at McGovern’s RV & Marine. We proudly serve the people of Edmonton, Alberta—let us serve you today!