Troubleshooting Trailer Sway on 11,700 lb Trailer with 900 lb Tongue Weight

Updated 07/16/2019 | Published 07/15/2019

Question:

I work for a fire department we have a car hauler type trailer that we haul a side by side in the back and a lab in the front the we had our DOT division weigh the trailer and the trailers axel weight is 10,800lbs and the over all weight of the trailer is 11,700lbs we think the tongue weight is roughly 900lbs, the trailer is 24 long, Our tow vehicle is a 1 ton dully that has a cargo box on the back about the size of U-Haul truck with equipment. When we hook the trailer to the truck the truck there is minimal squat on the truck but the back of the trailer is 4 higher in the back than in the front when we pull it on the highway we experience sway and a lot of the guys that are pulling it are not experienced in pulling a trailer what would be our easiest and safest option? I have a basic understanding of weight distribution because I have a travel trailer not an expert by no means just want to make sure we make the right choice

asked by: Noah T

Expert Reply:

If you are getting persistent sway from your towing setup the issue is more than likely not enough tongue weight in the trailer relative to the total trailer weight. Not having the tongue weight of the trailer between 10 and 15 percent of the total trailer weight is the number one cause of trailer sway.

Since you said your trailer weighs 11,700 lbs and your tongue weight is roughly 900 lbs that would be the issue right there. If you can move more weight in the trailer forward you will see the sway stop.

Also you really need to level your trailer as well as that isn't helping with the sway either. You need to get a ball mount that allows the trailer to sit as level as possible. Basically whatever you have now you need ball mount with 4 more inches of rise. I attached a help article on how to pick out the correct ball mount as well.

expert reply by: Jameson C