On the Road

Yaw, more commonly known as sway in the RV industry, is a bad word for trailer owners. The definition of yaw or trailer sway is a side-to-side fishtailing movement. Nothing will ruin the way you feel about camping faster than the first time you encounter this unpleasant situation.

Sway becomes an automatic factor with travel trailers and pop-ups simply because of how the trailer is hitched to the tow vehicle. It creates a pendulum affect. Some of the causes for trailer sway are:

–First and foremost poor trailer design contributes to trailer sway. When there is too much weight behind the trailers axles causing the tongue weight to be less than 10% of the trailers weight it has a natural tendency to sway.
–Incorrect tire inflation.
–Improper weight distribution hitch adjustments.
–No sway control on the trailer.
–Crosswinds
–A transfer truck passing from the rear of the trailer.
–Descending inclines.
–Towing speeds and hitch weight.
–Tow vehicle not properly matched for the trailer.
–Improper loading, overloading and poor weight distribution.
Knowing how to react when a trailer begins to sway can be the difference between your safety and disaster.

Mark Polk, owner of RV Education 101, produces professional RV how-to instruction training videos and DVD’s, books and e-books on using and maintaining your Recreation Vehicle (RV).