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Controlling Toy Hauler Sway

May. 21 2020 How-To/Safety By ___

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So you’re driving down the highway with your toy hauler in tow when suddenly the wind picks up or a semi-truck drives past you and you feel the trailer start to fishtail behind you. You panic, clutching the wheel as you try to keep your towing vehicle and trailer in the same lane and prevent them from tipping over.

Toy hauler sway is a common problem due to the high profile and additional length of the trailer itself. Both novices and experts can experience it. Even a little swaying can be dangerous on a busy highway, so you’ll want to do everything you can to prevent it. The Outpost RV in Middlebury, IN, is your Hoosier State toy hauler dealer. Here are some of the causes of toy hauler sway with some solutions.

Causes of Toy Hauler Sway

Toy haulers can sway for a variety of reasons. The hitch between the towing vehicle and trailer can act like a pivot point between the two vehicles’ respective centers of gravity, resulting in drastic motion whenever there’s a slight sway on the part of one vehicle.

Winds & Drafts

Crosswinds are a common cause, as are drafts from large vehicles passing you in the same or the opposite direction. Descending a hill without braking properly can also cause your trailer to fishtail. While the front of your trailer is designed to be aerodynamic, its sides are not, which means that the force of winds can easily knock your toy hauler over if you’re not careful.

Balance Problems

If your toy hauler is incorrectly loaded and therefore unbalanced, this can cause it to sway dramatically in even a slight wind. This lack of balance can impact the tires as well, causing a dangerous blowout that can really send you out of control.

Prevention

Toy hauler sway can be prevented in several ways:

  • Driving responsibly at the correct speed limit and avoiding any sudden turns or lane changes will help to reduce sway. 
  • Braking slowly and evenly, especially when going downhill, can also help.
  • Slowing down when large vehicles pass you can lessen the impact of their draft.
  • Checking your tire pressure and ensuring the tires on both your toy hauler and towing vehicle are aired up correctly will also reduce issues. 
  • Loading up your toy hauler correctly, with weight balanced evenly from right to left and from front to back, is another way to reduce the risk of toy hauler sway occurring.
  • Purchasing a weight-distribution hitch that helps to distribute the tongue weight between all of the axles will help to reduce sway as well.

Stopping Sway

If, despite your best efforts, your toy hauler begins to sway, don’t panic! It’s recommended that you immediately apply the manual brake-control override. Try not to apply the tow vehicle brakes, as this can make swaying worse, but do remove your foot from the accelerator. Steer in a straight line or try to get to the side of the road safely if you’re already in the right-most lane. If you’re driving in high winds, it may be wise to pull over at a rest stop or tourist attraction until the winds die down. Check the forecast in advance of your drive so you can make sure that high winds aren’t in the cards.

We hope these tips help you to feel safer and more confident when driving while towing your toy hauler. Still need a toy hauler? Come see us at our location in Middlebury, IN, to take a look at our full stock of new and used toy haulers for sale. The Outpost RV proudly serves the city of Kalamazoo, MI.