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Controlling Sway with Your Toy Hauler

Dec. 29 2023 Safety By S&S Apache

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Camping is always better when you’ve got your favorite powersports vehicle along, and there’s no better way to bring it than with your toy hauler. However, these large trailers are vulnerable to high winds and the drag other motorists on the road can cause, which can lead to sway. Swaying is a dangerous situation and learning how to avoid it can save lives. To learn how to prevent and control your toy hauler's sway, check out our tips below.

Causes of Toy Hauler Sway

Crosswinds are one of the most common causes of toy hauler sway, as are drafts from large vehicles that are passing you. This is especially dangerous when descending a hill. The front of your trailer is designed to be aerodynamic, but the sides aren’t. If you don’t brake properly on your descent, a strong wind can cause your toy hauler to fishtail or just flip.

Weight distribution is incredibly important when loading up an RV, and that’s especially true with a toy hauler. If it’s incorrectly loaded and unbalanced, even a slight wind can cause serious sway, leading to other issues.

Prevention

Despite how widespread those causes can be, here are some simple ways to prevent sway:

  • Drive responsibly at the correct speed limit without any sudden turns or lane changes.
  • Brake slowly and evenly, particularly when going downhill.
  • Slow down when large vehicles pass you, whether they’re going the same way as you or not.
  • Make sure the tire pressure is at the correct level and there is a healthy amount of tread.
  • Load your toy hauler correctly with the weight distributed evenly from front to back and left to right.
  • Purchase a weight-distribution hitch, which helps distribute the tongue weight between all the axles.
  • If there are high winds when you’re supposed to hit the road, delay your plans for about an hour or until the winds die down a bit.

Controlling and Stopping Sway

Even when you do everything right, your toy hauler is still going to sway sometimes. Don’t panic — there’s plenty you can do to control and stop it. The second you notice sway, immediately apply the manual brake-control override. Don’t use your tow vehicle’s brakes, which can make sway even worse, but do remove your foot from the accelerator. Steer in as straight a line as possible or try to pull off the road safely.

We hope these tips help you stay safe and get to your destination in a timely way! If you want more advice or if you’re in the market for a toy hauler, contact us at S&S Apache in Jackson, MS. We proudly serve all those in Vicksburg and Meridian.