Tips for Preventing and Stopping Trailer Sway Caused by Passing Semi Truck

Published 05/03/2018

Question:

I was traveling south on I 5 and a semi passed me causing trailer to sway.I have the 10000 pound Fastway weight distribution with 2 way sway control I have a 21 foot travel trailer that has a dry weight of 3418 pounds. All it had in it was some food and some clothes and a small tool box that was placed in the front of the trailer.

asked by: Robert Z

Expert Reply:

The best defense against trailer sway is proper trailer loading. You need to have the tongue weight of your trailer between 10 and 15 percent of the total trailer weight otherwise sway is very possible. Other possibility is that the trailer isn't sitting level.

Another thing that can help stop sway that starts from a semi truck like yours is to use the manual override lever of your brake control to smoothly apply the brakes of the trailer. That will quickly stop the sway.

expert reply by: Jameson C