Hi I Am New Here!

SH379 · April 20, 2009

Hello everyone I have been lurking on here for a few months. I have a 08 Silverado Lt, 4.8l ,3.42 gears out back and I also have the trailer package with the trans cooler.

So I finally have a question worth posting. I pulled a 6x12' Uhaul trailer from Dallas,Tx to the Central valley Ca a month ago or so. I don't know if I loaded the trailer wrong or what but while passing other cars the trailer wanted to start swaying all over the place a little nerve racking to say the least. I thought I had loaded the trailer to Uhauls instructions. I had about 200 pounds towards front of trailer and most of the weight was from the axles forward. What can I do to stop this from happening again???

I noticed you guys are big on pics so I added a few of my truck!

I forgot to say I am renting the same setup this week and heading back to Texas

rjtomac · April 20, 2009

A lot of times when a trailer becomes hard to handle it is due to to much weight on the tongue of the trailer, or to much weight behind the rear axle of the trailer. It is a balancing act. Keep the heaviest of the load just over the center line of front and rear axles if it is a tandem axle trailer. Uhaul trailers can also be neglected to so that is one thing to consider. When loaded you want the rear of the truck just about level to just squating. Wind and speed also play factors, some times a 5 mph hr makes all the difference.

BuckFeverZ · April 20, 2009

Welcome to the site.

Zembonez · April 20, 2009

Welcome to the ZOO!

You don't mention how much weight was in the trailer overall. A really heavily loaded trailer of any kind really needs a weight distributing hitch and sway control. With all of the inertia the weight has, it is hard to stop a heavy trailer from swaying once it starts. That said... it's hard to imagine being able to load a 6 x 12 trailer with all that much weight... unless you are hauling really heavy items.

If you aren't hauling all that much weight it is also possible that the U-haul trailer wasn't in the best shape. Some of them are pretty worn out. Also... check tire pressures all the way around and make sure you are aired up to haul.

Ranger · April 20, 2009

Trailer sway isn't uncommon especially with some of those mid-range sizes...My 12' utility trailer has a tendency to sway a bit also, empty or loaded. I see it all the time on the road, one time there was an explorer dragging a jet ski trailer at 70+ and it was going side to side like mad.

SH379 · April 20, 2009

Welcome to the ZOO!

You don't mention how much weight was in the trailer overall. A really heavily loaded trailer of any kind really needs a weight distributing hitch and sway control. With all of the inertia the weight has, it is hard to stop a heavy trailer from swaying once it starts. That said... it's hard to imagine being able to load a 6 x 12 trailer with all that much weight... unless you are hauling really heavy items.

If you aren't hauling all that much weight it is also possible that the U-haul trailer wasn't in the best shape. Some of them are pretty worn out. Also... check tire pressures all the way around and make sure you are aired up to haul.

I was not hauling anything too heavy. Washer and dryer queen size bed that kind of stuff. I can not imagine i was any where near really HEAVY.

Zembonez · April 20, 2009

I was not hauling anything too heavy. Washer and dryer queen size bed that kind of stuff. I can not imagine i was any where near really HEAVY.

I agree. May have just been the trailer. Makes sure all tires are fully aired up to haul and hopefully the return trip will be a smoother one!

SH379 · April 20, 2009

I had around 38psi in my truck tires while towing does that sound about right? I have no idea what the Uhaul had.

Mabe · April 20, 2009

Probably the trailer. Aside from not controling the swaying there is little that a truck can do to affect the swaying. I had a Uhaul trailer that somehow had gotten tweeked, the rear axle was pushed about 1.5" to the drivers side. Didnt sway, but it rode down the road kinde sideways like it was trying to look around the side of my truck as see where it was going.

Zembonez · April 20, 2009

I had around 38psi in my truck tires while towing does that sound about right? I have no idea what the Uhaul had.

Truck should be fine. I'd check the trailer though... Some of them aren't all that well maintained.

SH379 · April 20, 2009

Will do. Thanks for the help! For how much they charge for those damn trailers they should maintain them a little better.

Bostonsfavson · April 21, 2009

As others have said, it was probably just a bum trailer. Although, I have a 6x12 landscaping trailer, and even with the tires inflated properly and the load completely symmetrical, I still get swaying at times. Sometimes it's the road surface. In any case, it is what it is--minor swaying isn't an issue. I believe that U-Haul offers an anti-sway hitch. It's something you may want to look in to next time.

Stevens03 · April 21, 2009

Single axle trailers all tend to sway alot. They make a friction sway bar by many venders,... you can find the for around $68 bucks and they REALLY cut down on the say. Weight wise, you'll be fine.

and Welcome to the site!