What Should You Do If You’re Towing a Trailer and it Starts to Swing From Side to Side?
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What Should You Do If You’re Towing a Trailer and it Starts to Swing From Side to Side?
Ease off the accelerator to reduce your speed if your trailer starts to swing from side to side. Do not brake harshly or steer sharply if you notice your trailer snaking. Instead, ease off the accelerator to gradually reduce your speed and regain control of your trailer.
What causes a trailer to swing from side to side?
A trailer snaking can happen to even the most experienced towers. Here are a few of the root causes to look out for.
Side winds
If you’re towing a trailer in gusty conditions, strong side winds can buffet your trailer, knocking it off balance. Look for the side winds warning sign and check the forecast before leaving. If you’re worried about the conditions, rearrange your journey if possible.
Larger vehicles
Fast-moving large vehicles can also buffet your trailer off balance. It’s a lot harder to predict when you’ll encounter a larger vehicle, but travelling in the left lane on motorways and dual carriageways can reduce the chances of this happening.
Towcar vs trailer size and mass
Tow the smallest and lightest trailer relative to the size of your tow car. The bigger and heavier the trailer, the more chance there is of your trailer swinging from side to side.