I destroyed my entire rig in 2022 due to trailer sway started by starting to pass a big rig. I thought I had done a good job loading,balancing, and using weight dist/anti sway bars. I even made sure my truck didn't squat more than half an inch and the trailer was perfectly level. At the time of the wreck I was well under the speed limit. We went from no problem to upside down on the road in less than 5 seconds. Here's my point--- the more sure you are this could never happen to you, the more you should think twice.

@kevkamo6289

Ай бұрын

So what was your mistake?

@jabroni6199

24 күн бұрын

⁠@@kevkamo6289probably limiting his squat to half an inch which means not enough tongue weight. Sway happens when you don’t have enough tongue weight or when the trailer wants to go faster than the tow vehicle. In which case you just manually squeeze the trailer brake controller for a second

@betterwithrum

18 күн бұрын

And this is exactly why I bought a propride. Glad you’re ok

@Gubers

7 күн бұрын

That sounds horrifying! So what caused your wreck? If you had properly configured WDH, anti-sway, loading etc, what else can you do? Were you over weight for your truck? Was there a tire blowout? A slightly unbalanced weight isn't going to put you upside down towing a properly attached trailer with all those precautions.

@Gubers

7 күн бұрын

@@jabroni6199 That's a good point. Glad I researched all of this. I bet a lot of people think reducing hitch weight is always a good thing when in fact it isn't. A "good" hitch weight is more of a window of between x lbs and x lbs, not a lower is better thing.

In addition to friction, another thing that helps is proper tires that resist side-flex. I just bought from a Ford dealer a 2021 F-150. Dealer had put new tires on it. Car tires with maximum pressure 44 PSI. First thing I changed was to put Load Range E tires on it the truck. I tow with 80 PSI in my rear tires. Interestingly, my 8.1 suburban came from the factory with Load Range E tires. The Chev door-sticker actually specified 50 PSI front, 80 PSI rear. (Of course, medium-duty motorhome runs 95 PSI all around.)

Great job... love the treadmill.

@TwoTravelingTeachers

2 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching

Thanks for sharing this really important information about the sway bar and breaking the trailer when the trailer starts to sway, very interesting video have a blessed day😊

@TwoTravelingTeachers

8 ай бұрын

Thank you so much! We appreciate it.

Weight to front, tap brakes to slow sway, tiny steering corrections, let vehicle just coast no gas, to regain control. Speed increases steering corrections, stay around 55 or 60 tops.

Great video!

Very well done! Thanks

@TwoTravelingTeachers

8 ай бұрын

Thank you too! We appreciate your comment.

Great video. With lots of useful information. Can’t believe how bad the trailer was at the start. Have a great week. Chelsea and Mike

@TwoTravelingTeachers

8 ай бұрын

Thank you! We hope you have a great week as well.

Thank you very much. This is excellent information

@TwoTravelingTeachers

2 ай бұрын

You’re welcome, and thank you for watching our video.

Good information to ponder! Thanks

@TwoTravelingTeachers

2 ай бұрын

You are welcome. Safe travels! ~Two Traveling Teachers

Awesome video about trailer sway! Thank you so much for your insight 👍

@TwoTravelingTeachers

28 күн бұрын

Thank you so much for watching and commenting.

I used 2 tow a caravan/travel trailer for many years , and perhaps the most simple and accurate way 2 get the nose/tongue weight of the caravan is 2 load it as you would for for your trip , then when its still in your driveway go grab your bathroom scales (most domestic scales will go 2 around 300 lbs these days) so at a 10% ratio thats enough for a fair sized caravan ) and a short piece of wood ! put 1 end of the wood in your towing eye and the other end on your scales ! and that will give you a pretty accurate tongue weight reading , and then adjust as required

People put too much weight behind too small of a vehicle. “The salesman told me it would handle my trailer”

I'm glad these videos exist 'cause I'm a bit paranoid about going out on my first camping trip. Luckily it's very local so I won't need to drive on the freeway at all. But I'm getting a WDH with sway bars installed regardless.

@dougwarren5471

Ай бұрын

Don't feel like your the only one. We all have the jitters at first but it gets easier with every trip. Drive safe!

Really good information in this vlog. I'm so glad we are Motorhomers now.

@TwoTravelingTeachers

8 ай бұрын

LOL. I don’t know much about driving a motor home, but I’m sure that it has its own issues. Come to think of it, I’ve noticed that most rentals I see are Class C motor homes. Maybe there is less of a learning curve with they. Thanks for watching and commenting.

Thanks for these informative vids. We just purchased an F150 as a tow vehicle as we are planning to start full time travel next year, so your vids are especially helpful 👍

@TwoTravelingTeachers

6 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for your feedback. Best of luck!

@An_Appeal_To_Heaven

Ай бұрын

You mean an F350? F150 is what women drive to go get a few bags of potting soil for their planter box.

@PC-tc5je

29 күн бұрын

@Falling_Down_1776 Although, I believe F150 owners can write a simple sentence without having to edit it..

I don't know where you live but my suggestion would be to find a grain elevator with a scale readout on there building. You can go there after close or on a weekend. Stop in during the week and make sure its ok . Offer them a few bucks and you would have all the time you need

You are not in a race, ensure your vehicle is rated for the trailer you are towing, blance the weight of your gear in your trailer, place most of your weight over the trailer wheels, slow down and use anti-sway devices.

The recommended Nose Weight (Tongue or Hitch Weight), was a rule of thumb guidance here in the UK, but it used to be between 5 to 7% of the MTPLM (Laden Trailer Weight). That was before EU Type Approval, for example pre-Type Approval, a manufacturer would make a recommendation, and it was up to the Owner whether they followed it. So my 1973 VW 412LS Variant (Station Wagon), is 1120kg Kerb Weight (fuel/oil/water and a Driver included), with a max Laden Weight of 1665kg, and VW recommended a maximum Towing Capacity of 900kg, with a Drawbar (Hitch Weight) on the tow bar of 50kg maximum. Which meant the Nose Weight (Tongue Weight) had to be no greater than 50kg. You decided whether to take the risk of going beyond those weights. The Caravan Club decided to introduce Guidance as well, called the 85% Rule, and 100% Rule. Again, not the Law. The 85% Rule was for new drivers to towing, and the 100% Rule was for experienced drivers of towing, they decided that the fully laden caravan had be a percentage of the Kerb Weight, so 85% of 1120kg is 952kg, with some leeway on the Nose Weight of between 5 to 7%. Neither matters with regard to the VW recommended 900kg though. The experienced were recommended up to 1120kg. However, even though we have left the EU, we still have Type Approval in Law for newer cars, and my 2018 Toyota Avensis Estate (Station Wagon) has figures for max Laden Weight of 2100kg, max Goods Train Weight of 3900kg, giving a max Towing Capacity of 500kg/1800kg (unbraked/braked), and a Drawbar of 75kg max, all legally enforceable. The now Caravan & Motorhome Club still recommends the 85% Rule & 100% Rule, again not enforceable, and still suggests a Nose Weight of between 5 to 7%. Note that they no longer state a Kerb Weight as above. However, trailer/caravan standards are also now Type Approved, with my 2008 Swift Ace Celebration 620 being plated these days 1450kg MRO (Mass in Running Order), full gas bottles but no water on-board, and a 1700kg MTPLM (Maximum Technically Permissible Laden Mass), which means I have a maximum legal user Payload of 250kg, including water. Oh and the maximum Nose Weight of the caravan is 100kg, although this last figure not legally enforced, except in mitigation arguments in Court when apportioning blame to serious accidents, and also by Loss Adjusters in Insurance Claims. Under the Law they use Max Laden Weight, Goods Train Weight, and MTPLM, rendering the 85% Rule, 100% Rule, and 5 to 7% Nose Weight guidance all just hearsay. However, back before Type Approval there were no passive Hitch Stabilisers (the industry standard here is the passive ALKO AKS 3004 Stabiliser), and no active Automatic Trailer Control (the active electronically controlled ALKO ATS Anti-sway Trailer System is the best on the market here), on trailers/caravans, and cars did not have Anti-skid Braking Systems (ABS), or Electronic Stability Control (ESC), indeed, there were most likely drum brakes, and tyre technology and roadworthiness legislation (UK is MoT, Europe is TuV, both now compulsory annual tests), for tow vehicles and trailers/caravans were less developed, or strict. These Laws are pretty much standard across Europe, whether your country is an EU Member State, or not.

@TwoTravelingTeachers

3 ай бұрын

You’ve got a lot of great information here. Thanks for sharing!

Exceptionally informative. I agree with you that your second weighing can be with or without weight distribution. Ideally both is nice to have simply as you also get to see how much weight your hitch is actually distributing to your front axles. I only did mine with the bars attached, but still the same math to see how much of the added weight is on the truck. I notice that your front axle weight without wd was down 300ish pounds. I also tow with an F150 and tow a trailer that is somewhat heavier at a total of 7940. 6800 of that on my trailer axle and obviously the other 1140 on my truck, which is right around 14% of 7980 so that part is good. With my weight distribution hitch attached I am able to bring my front axle weight right back to its just the truck weight, thus ensuring that neither my front axle, rear axle or trailer axle is overloaded, and with the weight returned to the front axle handling is actually quite amazing. No sway at all it seems, and I have towed this set up for about 28000kms ( about 17350 miles). it would be interesting to see what your weights are like with the wdh fully set up, for the knowledge of how much weight you are managing to distribute to the front axle. Safe travels.....

@TwoTravelingTeachers

2 ай бұрын

Thanks so much for watching our video and sharing your thoughts. With the wdh fully set up, the steer axle is about 180 lbs lighter than the truck when not towing. You’ve got me thinking I should adjust the hitch to throw more of the weight on the front axles. Thanks again for your input. ~Two Traveling Teachers

@ShawnPatterson402

2 ай бұрын

@@TwoTravelingTeachers I have found that set up to work the best. My original target had been to get my front fenders back to the same height off the ground with the trailer as they were without the trailer, thinking that if they were lifted at all then clearly they must be lighter, as things don't go up when they are heavier, and sure enough when the front fenders are basically back to starting point, or maybe an 1/8" lower, then the CAT scale confirms that I have kept my weight on the front axle which is great for handling. My F150 when loaded for travel but without the trailer (wife included....even though she was not that keen on multiple CAT scale passes) actually has the front axle loaded to within a few hundred pounds of axle capacity anyway, so I did not want to add too much weight there, but it handles superb when I can set up the hitch to basically not remove any weight from the front of the truck either. If you do decide to experiment, I would be very interested to hear how you make out with it. take care.

Im a new camper owner and im towing a smaller 22 footer with a 2023 Tacoma trd. I got the weight distribution hitch with sway bars and I've been told that given my small setup not to worry but im such a novice I still cant help but imagine im going to fly off the road with my family in it. This video was immensely helpful and although it doesnt necessarily ease my mind, I at least know what to look for now and how to better prepare with each trip. Thank you!

@Thedumbtruckdriver

Ай бұрын

V6?

@CaseyQ

Ай бұрын

@@Thedumbtruckdriver yes

@Lennybird91

19 күн бұрын

I feel you there. I'm in a 3rd Gen taco, too. Towing a 6x12 dual axle with added height and definitely a little nervous for our maiden voyage. Manual states sway bar over 2000lbs and hitch distribution over 5,000. Going to start with the sway bar and see how the tongue sits loaded.

@candycarton

19 күн бұрын

I've been towing a 23 ft jayco recently with my 20/20 Taco off-road. I've got some research to do. Driving on the highway is an absolute nightmare when trucks pass. First they suck you in and then they blow you out. If you don't time your steering adjustment well enough you feel like you would certainly lose control. I'm sticking to the side roads for now and maximum speed of 50 mph.

@CaseyQ

19 күн бұрын

@@candycarton do you have the distribution hitch and sway bars as well? And did you install them yourself

Super nice job

@TwoTravelingTeachers

Ай бұрын

Thank you! Cheers!

I use vectors to calculate the pin weight. I have confirmed my calculation works by measuring the pin weight on a Catscale. So now that I know my vector system works I can move the load around as needed. I no longer needn to use a catscale much now I just calculate things. A vector is a mathmatical thing composed of two values, in this case it is the weight of something and its place's distance from the pivot point. I give vectors behind the pivot point a negative value because they subtract from the pin weight. Multiply the two values together and add that product to the pin weight to see how it changes.

@TwoTravelingTeachers

2 ай бұрын

Great info! Thanks for sharing!

great job

@TwoTravelingTeachers

Ай бұрын

Thanks for watching and sharing your kind comment!

I pull with a Ford truck, would think the other US makers would as well, but the towing package has anti sway built in. It’s better suspension plus electronic monitoring that will apply trailer brakes if sway is detected. I’ve pulled with an Expedition, a suv, but it had a heavy tow package as well, never had a problem. People if you are going to tow, don’t just slap a hitch on a vehicle, get one with a towing package and know the parameters of your vehicle.

@Soupy_loopy

20 күн бұрын

I have F250, bought a 27' travel trailer. Camping World automatically sold me the stabilizer hitch. The truck doesn't even squat a little when hooked up. They told me to turn the sway control off on the truck since the hitch is supposed to prevent sway. The trailer does sway more than I like, probably not too dangerous, but it's stressful driving. I think I will try towing with the sway control turned on.

Weight distribution bars are a double edge sword 🗡️. They transfer weight to the front axle 100lb in my case but by doing so they stress the frame...more weight you transfer more stress on the frame.

@TwoTravelingTeachers

Ай бұрын

Exactly. I worry about this too, but I’ve decided I’d rather take my chances with the stress on the trailer frame. 🤷🏻

@TheSkite575

Ай бұрын

Stress on the tv frame or trailer frame? My VW Touareg manual states not to use weight distribution as it will stress the cars frame which is why I don't use a weight distribution hitch.

@henryford2736

Ай бұрын

@@TheSkite575 both truck and trailer

Good video for what can be a confusing topic sometimes. You got the hitch weight correct (no weight distribution). If you did leave the weight distribution hooked up you'd have to account for that in the calculation. Weight distribution just moves weight from the rear axle to the front axle and the trailer axle, it doesn't decrease the hitch weight.

@TwoTravelingTeachers

8 ай бұрын

Thanks so much for your comment.

@pauleastham7999

6 ай бұрын

@jimd7703 If the trailer axle weight increases, and the trailer overall weight does not change, doesn't that imply that the hitch weight (or, more precisely, the weight applied to the truck) has reduced?

Awesome video, love the mock up!!

@TwoTravelingTeachers

2 ай бұрын

Thank you! We really appreciate you watching and sharing your kind comment. Cheers! ~Two Traveling Teachers

I noticed one thing in common in the videos you clipped in where extreme sway caused accidents, and that is the driver was overtaking another vehicle. Excessive speed while towing is never a good thing.

@JacobKrebsbach

Ай бұрын

I also noticed that almost every tow vehicle in the intro is a SUV towing

I worked in a travel trailer rv lot back in the 70’s. Back then they sold anti-sway bars that were part of package for the hitch. Dont they still use?

This video should be. REQUIRED VIEWING for each person who purchases a travel trailer. And a discussion afterwards should be had also. The tapping of the in cab brake control and the explanation of the trailer TRAVELING FASTER THAN THE TRUCK is a crucial part of what is happening. Thank you sir. !

@TwoTravelingTeachers

24 күн бұрын

Thank you!

Your two weights are correct in that the vehicle axle weights should a 740 lb difference between the first two weighs. A third weigh with weight distribution engaged would show weight transferred to the trailer axle and weight restored to the front axle. Based on the Ford owners manual, you want 50% of the weight restored to the front which would make your front axle at least 3100 lbs. Take the combined weight of the vehicle axles from the third weigh of the vehicle and subtract the first weight of the vehicle combined axle weight and you get the ‘distributed’ tongue weight which will be less than 740 lbs to the tow vehicle. The third weigh vehicle axle weights (weight distribution engaged) subtracted from the tow vehicle gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) will give you the available payload. The key is to not over load the tow vehicle axles along with not exceeding the tow vehicle GVWR Make sense?

@TwoTravelingTeachers

2 ай бұрын

Thanks so much for watching and sharing your thoughts.

Thanks for the informative video. Can you share your truck's payload and tow capacity? I also like the XLS 22MLE but think my margins will be tight.

@TwoTravelingTeachers

8 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching our video. The payload for our truck is 1783 lbs. Our GCWR is 18200 lbs. and our towing capacity is 12500. If you're interested, we produce a video about towing with a half ton truck (specifically about towing our 22MLE with our F150). It's titled is "Can You Tow an RV with a Half Ton Truck? We Tow Our Grand Design Imagine 22 MLE with Our F-150" Here's the link: kzread.info/dash/bejne/kaZ8sKV_YMrFZ8Y.html

I would just add that when you squeeze that brake controller, keep your foot steady on the gas pedal because people will tend to let off on the gas without realizing it because they're focused on the trailer, which has almost the same bad effect as stepping on the brakes would.

@TwoTravelingTeachers

2 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing! ~Two Traveling Teachers

Good information sir. I would have liked more information on the side to side effects off an uneven load left to right. Does it also introduce sway or does it make it worse if you have an introduction of sway only?

@TwoTravelingTeachers

2 ай бұрын

It is my understanding that unbalanced side-to-side loads not only contribute to trailer sway, but may even cause it. Another major concern for unbalanced side-to-side loads is the possibility of pushing above an individual tire’s load capacity. You can still be within the trailer’s GVWR or axle ratings with an unbalanced load, but over the limit on any individual tire. An overloaded tire may cause a tire blowout, which could lead to serious problems. In my humble opinion, it is always better to properly balance the load and keep the weight lighter than you think you can allow. Best of luck and safe travels!

Isn't this essentially just harmonic frequencies at play. The change in pitch begins with a shift at the steering wheel (front) and translates to the end. When overloaded at the rear, the recovery results in a push that lifts the rear of the vehicle and causes the wave to return back up the axis. ...correct me if I'm wrong, because it's probably not the safest maneuver, but I've heard that one way to overcome trailer sway before it gets really bad is to punch the accelerator and add more forward momentum, this snapping the trailer back in line. BUT, adding more force to the equation could also add more force into the accident.

Here is a tip for all. If your factory frame hitch has been on for years use a probe camera to inspect the inside of cross bar(if ends are open like on my Super Duty.) Rust never sleeps. I Was 100 miles out on a 1200 mile trip when for no good reason I thought I would pull in to a rest stop jusr to make sure all was ok with my bew 16 ft. Enclosed trailer. I freaked out when I noticed the trailer was 4 inches from the ground and the ball on hitch was pointing to about 2:00 O'clock! The frame had rusted to the point where it just twisted down. Talk about lucky. New draw tight on the way. Condensation alone can cause rust on unprotected metal. New hitch is powder coated but I will be monitoring the inside of the cross bar for sure. Also ordered a tongue weight pole scale.

Well it’s a good thing I’m considering a class c rv then a tow trailer

@TwoTravelingTeachers

Ай бұрын

Lol. Thanks for watching.

Great video! Thanks for the details. Looks like we have the same truck, just curious what engine do you have? I am thinking about an upgraded trailer, wondering how well you are able to pull your GD.

@TwoTravelingTeachers

8 ай бұрын

3.5 ecoboost. We haven’t had a problem towing with this truck, but the margins are small. This means we have to be meticulous to be sure we don’t go over any of our numbers (GVWR, GCVWR, front and rear GAWR, etc). I will one day upgrade to a bigger truck, just to make things easier.

@brew6164

8 ай бұрын

Thanks, I have the 2.7 Haven’t had any issues pulling a 4200 lbs trailer, except for the 10 mpgs 😂 was thinking about a similar trailer to yours.

Good content, nice job! My only issue is with the background music, it's a little annoying. I felt like I was watching an HR video welcoming me to my new company and it was distracting. I get the need for it, maybe just turn it down from 11 to 2. Thanks for putting it together. Everyone needs to see this information before packing for their first trip. Especially the part about slowing down. I do not understand why people are in a hurry towing an RV. There is nothing fast or quick when it comes to an RV trip. Take your time and enjoy the trip!

@TwoTravelingTeachers

18 күн бұрын

Thanks for the comment. I’ll look into improving the background music for future videos. 😆

Just a tip, I am trying to take this video serious that has very good info on the subject but the back ground music is kinda loud and distracting, as I said just a tip.

@TwoTravelingTeachers

3 ай бұрын

Thanks for the feedback. I’ll consider correcting this in future videos.

I've had 3 trailers . Proper weight distribution and anti sway bars are an absolute must. Proper install by a certified tech who knows how to st up the antisway system. Listen to what he's saying. Over 30000 miles some in heavy wind I've never had any sway issues. The proper set-up is absolutely imperative, That's why I've always had a pro install it. Proper weight distribution is a must as well. Do your homework before hooking up it will save you from tipovers

What trailer are you pulling with your f150? I'm looking to get a Grand Design Imagine XLS

@TwoTravelingTeachers

Ай бұрын

We tow a 22 MLE

If I had seen this a few months ago, I'd still be here!

These travel trailers are huge. 8 wide and 12 high

Equalizer hitches aren't there to stop sway that's the job of a sway bar that use's friction to stop left and right movement. A equalizer hitch takes the tongue weight and tranfers it to the front of the truck and to the trailer axles.

@jerrytalley802

Ай бұрын

My equalizer hitch also has 4 point sway control, so some hitches do control sway, just shedding some light.

@philipethier9136

Ай бұрын

@@jerrytalley802 Right. I have 20' enclosed car trailer. With a car in it, I expect it weighs about 6,000 pounds I don't use an equalizer. I do use a friction snubber when towing with my motorhome, as the overhang it is huge, and there is no aerodynamic drag on the trailer. I tended not to need it when towing with my 8.1 suburban, since the overhang is less and there is plenty of aerodynamic drag on the trailer. I retired the Suburban and now have an F-150 SuperCrew shortbox. The F-150 has longer wheelbase and shorter overhang than the Suburban, so I expect it will tow better.

@dw7094

4 күн бұрын

If you have a properly rated tow vehicle, your WDH is correctly adjusted and you observe weight and balance in your RV you won't need the sway control.

Hey teacher, to be truely accurate shouldn't you have two weights on your demo with the force meter? You are showing a tandem axel at the CAT scales. Or include a demo for tandem axle. Great vid, but yes background music is too loud.

There seems to be a rising movement to get air suspension and ditch the sway bars, any thoughts on this?

@TwoTravelingTeachers

Ай бұрын

Hmm. I have no experience with air suspension, but I can’t see how it would help with sway other than helping level the rig. Personally, I wouldn’t ditch the sway bars.

Just wanted to restate the gist for my own benefit...... It's better to pack the front end somewhat heavier to avoid sway and have proper balance? Am I understanding this properly?

@TwoTravelingTeachers

Ай бұрын

Yes, that is the gist.

Drive slower, that will help

@TwoTravelingTeachers

Ай бұрын

I agree. Like I said at 6:40 and 11:40 in the video. Safe travels.

@chadoien4033

Ай бұрын

We don’t need more idiots driving 45 😂

@jeffstangl1471

Ай бұрын

Like 5 mph? I know what you mean but, I've felt it occasionally, from outside forces at every speed with Ram 1500, 23'KZ empty, heaviest Equilizer.

@mrshadow8096

Ай бұрын

It means don’t speed and go slower in high winds, go the speed limit and or slower especially when empty

@peterdragon6367

Ай бұрын

@@jeffstangl1471I have a one ton srw diesel. I pull my 8k TT at 65 to 70 tops. I have people in half tons passing me with similar sized campers. I don’t get it

Oh, a hitch scale would be so much easier

Thanks for great info. How would you rate your satisfaction with your Imagine trailer? We are thinking of getting the same model

@TwoTravelingTeachers

8 ай бұрын

I’d rate our happiness with the 22MLE as a 10/10. We haven’t had any real problems with it. It’s a great couple’s trailer and we’re empty nesters, so it’s a perfect for us. Not too big or too small. Also, we like that it has a dinette as well as the recliners.

My Equalizer hitch increases my trailer wt by 128 lbs vs wt when wdh is not engaged. Static tongue wt is 975 lbs via Sherline tongue scale and trailer is 7800 lbs. So, the wdh does move some tongue wt back to the trailer. The real mystery for me is in assuming a double axle suspension is a simple fulcrum. With my tongue on the tongue scale, i can walk 31 feet back to rear bumper and stand on it (200#) and the tongue scale doesnt change. Apparently the geometry of the double axle really dampers wt changes behind the axle. I can stand between axles and tongue and see small change but not as much as a sum of the moments calculation predicts. Can anyone add insight to this?

@KALLLIE98

Ай бұрын

the reason some of the tongue weight moves back to the trailer is typically because as the WDH bars are applied the load on the rear axle of the vehicle is lessened (transferred to the front), thus the rear of the vehicle raises. As the tongue raises it also becomes lighter and the weight moves back to the trailer.

How can your weight-distributing hitch not matter?

The tread mill was going faster when you tested the load on the rear.

I can't imagine not using my weight distribution anti sway hitch with my RV. Most of those videos are old, and I'd like to think people know better now.

@TwoTravelingTeachers

Ай бұрын

I hope so. Thanks for watching and commenting.

Thats the main cause is driving to fast, if you start seeing the trailer start swaying drop your speed. In the UK its 60mph - motorways and dual carriageways. 50mph - single carriageways. 30mph - built-up areas.

@CynthiaGillis-le6vv

Ай бұрын

Do not just slow down! That could actually increase the sway. Keep speed even and apply trailer brakes. If you don't have trailer brakes, get them!

Apparently it’s caused by a semi with a dashcam😂

Wouldn’t a simpler way to check hitch weight, be buy an inexpensive hitch scale? A few trips through these Cat scales, you’ve spent enough to have bought a hitch scale, that’s what I plan to do. Not busting on anyone but just mentioning an option

@TwoTravelingTeachers

Ай бұрын

We agree that a hitch scale would be easier and cheaper in the long run, but you still wouldn’t know the percentage of your trailer’s weight included in the hitch weight. Also, you wouldn’t know axle weights or gross vehicle weights. In my opinion these are also very important. We appreciate your thoughts and thank you for watching our video. Happy Trails ~ Two Traveling Teachers

You missed the most important point. The job of a weight distribution hitch is to distribute weight to the front axle of the truck. The front tires act to resist the sway, so without enough front axle wieght there will not be enough friction with the road. In that case, a longer truck would also create more resistance to sway. I have a Propride hitch which, with proper weight adjustment to the front axle, eliminates sway comple.

@TwoTravelingTeachers

2 ай бұрын

Both of your points are sound. Thanks for sharing.

@_DB.COOPER

Ай бұрын

Nothing can eliminate sway completely.

@kingrider75

Ай бұрын

The most important part is proper loading of the trailer and having sufficient tongue weight. My advice is to buy enough truck for the trailer.

@-_.._._--_.-.-_-_-_-...-.-

Ай бұрын

​@@_DB.COOPER It's completely gone as in it doesn't want to sway, it's self righting at this point.

@_DB.COOPER

Ай бұрын

@@-_.._._--_.-.-_-_-_-...-.- NOTHING can eliminate sway completely, NOTHING! Glad I could help.

Moral of the story: Do NOT keep your plumb bob in the back bumper!! 🤔 I had to move mine.

@TwoTravelingTeachers

4 ай бұрын

Ha ha! This is the best comment so far. Thanks for watching and sharing.

Thoughts on a Hensley Hitch?

@TwoTravelingTeachers

2 ай бұрын

We don’t have any experience with the Hensley hitch, so don’t have any firsthand knowledge. I have heard that they work really well to reduce sway, but are difficult to connect with the tow vehicle and cost about 3X the price of most other hitches. Sorry I can’t offer more than this. Thanks for watching. ~Two Traveling Teachers

@jeffgunner1195

2 ай бұрын

My family has 4 of them. Once you tow with one you will never go back. Hitching up is a learning curve but becomes second nature. They don't control sway, they eliminate it. Pivot point projection gives you fifth wheel towing with a travel trailer. All others are pretenders.

@TwoTravelingTeachers

2 ай бұрын

@@jeffgunner1195 thanks for sharing your experience. This is very useful information.

In Germany you learn all of this in driving school. 1. maximum 100km/h. 2. don't overtake!!! 3. Always pay attention to the weight, never overload. 4. Pay attention to the tire pressure, never too little. Anyone who screws up is a complete moron and has to pay for the damage themselves. One of so many reasons why driving licenses are so more expensive in Germany. You learn to handle potentially deadly weapons.

Always get a 3/4 ton truck... Or bigger don't cut it close.

Some are too much trailer for car.

#1 - most rv'ers speed - I don't care how you balance it

i would have used the weight distribution hitch as they can be heavy as well

Most of the videos show an undersized SUV pulling a trailer it was never designed to tow.

60/40 weight balancing with 60% of the weight in the front... 🚗 🚘

Notice how they're all going much faster than the dashcam vehicle? Yeah...

@TwoTravelingTeachers

Ай бұрын

Speed is definitely a big part of it.

@philipethier9136

Ай бұрын

@@TwoTravelingTeachers I tow at the speed limit.

enough with music , I am so confused 4 22 into and all I can hear is music and see you adding weights and rulers I am not the sharpest tool in the shed so hopefully your next one is for slow people who flunked math ::)

The biggest cause is people towing these rid are driving like a bat out of hell. They're trying to reduce the distance between two points with speed. No plausible reason to tow at speeds above 65 mph.

Weight, weight distrubution...and speed. You are not driving your vehicle. You are driving your vehicle with a trailer. And a heavy one sometimes.

@TwoTravelingTeachers

Ай бұрын

So true. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

The worse thing you do if your trailer starts swaying is to hit the brakes , it's best to Floor the gas and get it straight then slow down and don't go high speed and drive straight to a place that sales proper hitches . I'm 63 and have towed many trailers . Haven't lost one yet , knock on wood . Lol.

@TwoTravelingTeachers

Ай бұрын

I idea is to get the trailer's speed to match the trucks speed. This can be done by slowing the trailer, speeding up the truck, or both. I prefer to not to speed up the truck (personal preference). Just maintain truck speed and slow the trailer.

@sonnydayz2118

Ай бұрын

True. It may not feel natural, but yes, hit the throttle to straighten it out. I'm a class A driver.

@philipethier9136

Ай бұрын

@@TwoTravelingTeachers Another way to explain this is to S T R E T C H the rig. Increase the tension between the truck and trailer. Hit the trailer brakes only. Hit the hit the truck's power. You don't get sway when pulling up a grade. When the trailer is pushing the truck is problem. The worst thing you do if your trailer starts swaying is to hit the TRUCK brakes without hitting the trailer brakes.

Or just buy a ProPride hitch. Eliminate the possibility of trailer sway.

Get a 5th wheel. Bumper pulls suck.

Maybe get the right vehicle to tow that much of a load, that's what we should be teaching.

@TwoTravelingTeachers

Ай бұрын

What the right vehicle is will be different depending on what you’re towing. Even with the “right vehicle,” proper weight distribution is still important. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Stop speeding .

@TwoTravelingTeachers

Ай бұрын

Speeding is definitely a big factor. Thanks for sharing.

get a heavyer truck or smaller unit there problem solved.

@TwoTravelingTeachers

Ай бұрын

A hitch scale is great if all you want is hitch weight. It still doesn’t tell you how much (%) of trailer’s weight is on the truck. It also doesn’t give you GVWR for truck or trailer. Also you’ll get no information about GAWR.

turn your music down please

@TwoTravelingTeachers

Ай бұрын

Okay

Drive slower and buy an actual truck not a little SUV,

Poor trailer design. Airstream has proper chassis engineering, weight placement and COG

As a cdl driver, I'm always amused by the general public and they're lack of common sense.

This ONLY applies to Ancient "pig type " trailers not the more modern "dog trailers". It astounds me that van and trailer manufacturers add "features" and do not unload the ball on the vehicle which is a majour brake and instability issue, and make the trailers "weight distribution sensitive". About time the industry caught up with some modern tech to negate the down fall of ALL "pig type" trailers.

@philipethier9136

Ай бұрын

Please define pig and dog.

Or just always pull with a 1 ton truck and you'll never have an issue

@TwoTravelingTeachers

Ай бұрын

You ought to make a KZread video to share this advice. 🙂

@jamesnelson8715

Ай бұрын

@mavinj1985 Glad to see that a 1ton does not have maximum axle weights ,a maximum payload weight limit or a maximum gross vehicle weight rating that you have to be concerned with!!!

The 10 percent claim is utter rubbish as there is no scientific proof through real testing to prove this figure. Look at an empty trailer it has a tare weight and a towball weight where in most cases now days the tow ball weight is only about 7% of the tare. By your theory then towing it home say 50miles or whatever is unsafe because of the lack of weight. Correctly loading the trailer with the load over the axles is far more beneficial too much at the front or rear is very dangerous.

@TwoTravelingTeachers

6 ай бұрын

We appreciate you sharing your thoughts.

@cruze1953

8 күн бұрын

What proof do you have that 7% of tare is safer than 10%-15% of tare with regard to tongue weight? Same question to TTT, where is the proof? I tend to think that 7% contributes to sway.

This guy waste to much time.

IF you don't Tow a Trailer There Isn't a problem .. Wake up ?

Save your money and don't buy one, that will avoid the swaying.

If you really teacher do your research first .

@TwoTravelingTeachers

3 ай бұрын

The research has been done. Thanks for your input.

Just totaly ban them & get the effing things off the road. Problem solved.

@TwoTravelingTeachers

Ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.