Trailer sway occurs when a trailer starts to move back and forth on its own, independent of the towing vehicle. It can be caused by a number of factors including improper tire pressure, excessively light tongue weight, or strong crosswinds. Once trailer sway begins, it can quickly escalate out of control, leading to a serious accident. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to help prevent trailer sway. Here are five key points to check in order to prevent trailer sway.

1) Check Your Tire Pressure

Tire pressure is one of the most important factors in preventing trailer sway. Under-inflated tires are prone to overheating, leading to a blowout. They can also cause the trailer to wobble or begin fishtailing, increasing the risk of an accident. Over-inflated tires may minimize general sway, but they deflate more quickly and are more vulnerable to road hazards like potholes due to their stiffness and inflexibility. The ideal tire pressure will depend on the size and type of trailer you are towing, but generally speaking, should always be above 40 PSI minimum.

2) Properly Balance Your Weight Distribution

There are two aspects to properly balancing your weight distribution before towing. The first is to measure your trailer tongue weight. The ideal tongue weight is between 10-15% of the fully loaded trailer weight. Too much will diminish your vehicle handling, while too little will cause trailer sway. Always measure your tongue weight during your towing setup, and make sure its within an appropriate range.

The second key aspect to balancing your weight distribution is the placement of the cargo you are towing. While a travel trailer is generally uniform, towing a vehicle like a tractor can cause major issues. If all of the weight of the cargo is on the back end of the towing platform, there won’t be enough force on the trailer coupler to ensure a smooth ride. Never load your cargo unevenly. Always try to center your cargo if towing via a platform.

3) Avoid High Winds & Severe Weather Conditions

If high winds or severe weather conditions are expected, it may be best to avoid travel altogether. If crosswinds emerge during your drive, you may wish to consider pulling over to the side of the road until the wind dies down. If high winds initiate a fishtail, it can be difficult to manage depending on your tow vehicle. If caught in a gust of wind, remain calm and avoid sudden turns or immediate braking. Instead, slowly reduce your speed and pull over to a safe area until weather conditions improve.

4) Drive Cautiously

Trailer sway happens when the trailer speed is faster than the tow car. While accelerating may seem like a possibility, it is both impractical and dangerous in practice. Slamming on the brakes is also dangerous, as its well known to cause the trailer to “jackknife” or engage in “trailer whipping”. This is the term used when the trailer pushes to the towing vehicle to one side, and is no longer directly behind the towing vehicle. The solution is to use the trailer brakes, but not applying the brakes on the tow vehicle. This will slow down the trailer until it reaches a better equilibrium with your tow vehicle.

In simple terms, keep an eye on your speed, and on the sway of your trailer. If you notice trailer sway early, you’ll be able to calmly resolve the issue and avoid potential accidents.

5) Get a Sway Control Hitch

The Equal-i-zer hitch features 4-point sway control via rotational friction and tension mechanics to hold the trailer in line behind the tow vehicle. Using the downward pressure of the trailer tongue and the upward pressure of the spring arms, your vehicle and trailer are balanced via our patented weight distribution technology to improve steering and eliminate trailer sway. Don’t take a chance with an insufficient setup; get the Equal-i-zer sway control hitch today!