Preventing Trailer Sway
Being a truck driver is not an easy task, and hauling a long and heavy container is only one of the many challenges of this job. Even the most experienced truck drivers experience trailer sway, so it’s important to realize that hauling a trailer comes with great responsibility for your safety and others.
In this article, we’ll talk about the basic steps to avoid trailer sway. If you are looking to lease a trailer for your cargo needs, contact us at H&P Trailer Leasing. We conveniently offer our services to those in Mississippi and Louisiana and also serve those in Memphis, TN, and Baton Rouge, LA.
Causes of Trailer Sway
You can be steering your trailer confidently to its destination, then within a blink of an eye, find yourself experiencing one of the most frightening experiences a truck driver can have. Staying aware of some factors that cause trailer sway can minimize the chances of it occurring. Let’s take a look at a few:
- Poor weight distribution: This is one of the most common reasons for trailer sway. Many make the mistake of loading heavier cargo at the back of their trailers, increasing the probability of trailer sway.
- Overloaded cargo: All trailers come with a weight limit for a reason, and adhering to that limit is crucial for safety reasons. A trailer with an excessive amount of weight can increase your risk of trailer sway, as well as make it extremely difficult to gain back control.
- High speed: Driving slowly may feel like it takes forever, especially if it’s a long-distance drive, but it doesn’t matter how bored you are. Always keep in mind that picking up too much speed means putting your life at risk when pulling a trailer.
Preventing Trailer Sway
Having mentioned some causes of trailer sway, let’s take a look at some prevention tips now:
- Distribute properly: Loading most of your heavier cargo in the front of the trailer where the hitch is a safety recommendation. Some go as far as to say that around 60% of the weight should be toward the front of your trailer.
- Be aware of maximum towing capacity: Stay within the boundaries of the maximum weight limit. To be on the safer side, load a little under the actual capacity.
- Maintain a safe speed: Don’t have a heavy foot when pulling a heavy load. Be constantly aware of your speed gauge and don’t get caught up in daydreaming.
If you have questions or need any more tips, get in touch with us at H&P Trailer Leasing at one of our four dealership locations in Mississippi and Louisiana. We proudly serve all those in Memphis, TN, and Baton Rouge, LA.