Troubleshooting Sway on Trailer that Starts at 65 MPH
Published 10/15/2019
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Question:
Hello, I do appreciate the answer from expert yesterday. In review I needed to describe the issue with instability as porpoising in dips and unstable steering feeling.Very slight side to side trailer sway but sway is not the primary concern. Camper trailer is Aliner pop up 1500 lbs dry and 2000 lbs loaded. TW is less than 350 lbs depending on load.Put 150 lbs of sand bags in the rear with empty water tank in winter. Also to balance out the combined weigh of bike and rack at 100 lbs on the tongue. Truck is 4WD Chevy Colorado 2017 and the 2016 trailer has less than 10,000 miles so worn suspension is not the problem. Truck rated max 500lbs tw and 7000 lbs tow capacity. The trailer tongue is constructed of 3x2 inch material.Which WD hitch system would you recommend for light weight trailer. Need as much ground clearance as possible for getting into remote camping sites on unmaintained forest service roads in southwest. thanks,
asked by: Tony R
Helpful Expert Reply:
If you are getting persistent sway at 65 mph a weight distribution system will not be the correct solution. You most likely either have not enough tongue weight or a worn out suspension component that is causing the sway. Does it seem to be any different when you take out the sand bag? Is there any combination that allows the trailer to tow better like with or without water, or with or without the sandbags. Is the trailer sitting level when loaded? Sometime a nose high trailer will have issues like what you described as well.
Check out the suspension of the trailer though as well to see if there's anything worn out that could be causing the sway. Look for excessive play of the components where they all attach to each other or other obvious signs of wear and movement.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution w/ 4-Point Sway Control - No Shank - 12,000 lbs GTW, 1,200 lbs TW
- Weight Distribution Hitch
- WD With Sway Control
- Trunnion Bar
- Fits 3 Inch Frame
- Fits 4 Inch Frame
- Fits 5 Inch Frame
- Fits 6 Inch Frame
- Shank Not Included
- Top-Mount
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- Allows Backing Up
- 1000 lbs
- 1100 lbs
- Equal-i-zer
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on Weight Distribution Hitch
Tony R.
10/15/2019
Hello, I do appreciate the answer from expert yesterday. In review I needed to describe the issue with instability as porpoising in dips and unstable steering feeling.Very slight side to side trailer sway but sway is not the primary concern. Camper trailer is Aliner pop up 1500 lbs dry and 2000 lbs loaded. TW is less than 350 lbs depending on load.Put 150 lbs of sand bags in the rear with empty water tank in winter. Also to balance out the combined weigh of bike and rack at 100 lbs on the tongue. Truck is 4WD Chevy Colorado 2017 and the 2016 trailer has less than 10,000 miles so worn suspension is not the problem. Truck rated max 500lbs tw and 7000 lbs tow capacity. The trailer tongue is constructed of 3x2 inch material.Which WD hitch system would you recommend for light weight trailer. Need as much ground clearance as possible for getting into remote camping sites on unmaintained forest service roads in southwest. thanks,