Tips and Solutions for Reducing Sway While Towing a Trailer

No matter what you’re towing, trailer sway is one of the most preventable and dangerous threats on the road. The best way to safely tow a trailer is to understand how trailer sway can occur and what you can do to prevent it. Safe travels, friends!

What is Trailer Sway?

Trailer sway is when the trailer begins to move side to side. This is not a normal movement and can lead to a whipping effect.

What Causes Trailer Sway?

  • Wind or gusts from passing larger vehicles
  • Excessive speeds
  • Improper weight distribution
  • Excess tongue weight
  • Low tire pressure
  • Rough roads

How to Control Trailer Sway:

  • Stay calm
  • Slowly lift your foot off the gas. Do not step on the brake unless you’re in danger of hitting something
  • Firmly hold the steering wheel in a straight ahead position
  • Find a save place to park and rearrange your trailer contents, heavier items towards the front of the trailer

How to Prevent Trailer Sway:

  • Slow down
  • Try to avoid any sudden steering maneuvers
  • Load your trailer with 60% of the load spread evenly over the front portion of the trailer
  • Don’t exceed the trailer’s maximum gross weight
  • Check your tire pressure
  • Install friction sway control bars and/or a weight distribution hitch
  • Install friction sway control bars with a sway control shocker air bumper hitch
  • Contact us, we would be glad to help

Fixing Trailer Sway

Sway Control Towing Video

Installing Friction Sway Control Bars

Sway Control Towing Kits