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Topic Closedsway issue
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David and Danette View Drop Down
podders Helping podders - pHp
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Joined: 24 Nov 2009
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Posts: 1214 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: sway issue
    Posted: 05 Oct 2014 at 2:16pm
   I too am very sorry about your accident and thankful no one was injured. My parents had a Jayco trailer many years ago and a similar situation except the road had ice on it and thankfully the trailer flipped and exploded in pieces but the Suburban they were driving remained upright on four wheels. I hope your insurance covers most of your loss. Next camper you buy I am sure you will be checking the tongue weight and where the fresh water tank is located. Its good you are not getting discouraged and are planning on to continue camping. My parents never bought another camper my mother said that was enough. Your experience will help others to be mindful of the tongue weight and drive careful with caution in that things can quickly change to a dangerous situation.  David and Danette
2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018-              
2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019)
2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014)
Middle Tn
2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab


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techntrek View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Location: MD
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Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Oct 2014 at 3:56pm
Welcome.  Sorry to hear about your accident.  Unfortunately you made 2 mistakes.  First, the #1 rule with sway is you must mash on the brake controller (and don't touch the TV's brakes).  Second, you never want to try to steer out of the sway - hold the steering wheel straight (within reason, steer away from traffic of course).

See the link in my signature and look for the article on sway.

The fresh water tank is behind the axle on the 177, true.  However, with adjustments to apply more weight forward of the axle and to increase the sway control (which differs depending on the brand), it is perfectly safe to travel with that tank full and the waste tanks empty.  My 171 has a different configuration but I've traveled most of 15,000 miles with the fresh water tank full.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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ToolmanJohn View Drop Down
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Joined: 23 Apr 2014
Location: Connecticut
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Posts: 451 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Oct 2014 at 7:48pm
Make sure you trailer tires are at the max of 50 psi... Low tires pressures are very bad on trailers and the rear of the tow vehicle. Much better to run maximum cold pressures in your tires when towing.
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Old Dingo&Mrs.Dingo View Drop Down
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Location: Tarentum, PA
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Posts: 138 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Oct 2014 at 8:13pm
Many years ago, when I was young and brave, (and foolish) I regularly towed a 15 1/2 foot Scotty TT (3500#-4000#) with a '72 Jeep CJ5 V8, (about 3000#) no WDH or sway bar.  At highway speeds it would start to sway with almost every passing 18 wheeler, to stop the sway I would simply accelerate briskly for a short time.  It would eliminate the sway almost immediately, only one problem, if there was much traffic, I would wind up going much faster than I wanted.  As Doug says "mash on the brake controller", that will pull the hitch tight and straight, stopping the sway.  If you are afraid to release the steering wheel to apply the trailer's brakes, a healthy dose of horsepower may allow you to regain control, in fact that is the only way I know of to stop sway on a trailer equipped with surge brakes.  Lifting your right foot will not, applying the TV brake usually isn't the answer either.  All this said, now I use a WDH with sway control, (not the friction type) and my TV is rated to tow twice the 'pod's weight.  Take note:  many people on this forum have found out, no device can correct all the problems caused by poor weight distribution.  
Old Dingo and/or Mrs. Dingo
181G
2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee
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Danno View Drop Down
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Joined: 04 Oct 2014
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Posts: 11 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Oct 2014 at 9:11pm
Thank you all for your concern and comments.  It's a once in a lifetime experience I will never forget.  I don't know how to explain the feeling of being out of control like that and pretty much knowing what was coming.  I suppose sheer terror might begin to describe it.  If I could have overcome the fear that was gripping me as it was happening, and let go of the wheel with one hand, maybe I could have found the controller button fast enough to do some good.  A button on the steering wheel would have come in handy.
I did have the trailer tires at 50psi. 
But yes, now I realize weight distribution is all important and never to be taken for granted.  If it had been correct in the first place, even without a sway bar, there probably wouldn't have been any problems.
Dan
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techntrek View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 Jul 2009
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Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Oct 2014 at 11:15am
We're all here to help, ask anything and you'll get multiple answers!  Smile
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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