Solution for Trailer being Towed that Feels like It's Rocking Up and Down
Question:
I just bought a small 16ft single axle travel trailer. when going down the road and when you hit small dips etc on the highway it gets rocking vertically real bad. It has no sway at all, its rock solid. Will a weight distribution hitch stop this rocking. I have towed for many years but never a small single axle TT. TW is 200lbs and trailer is 2700lbs. My truck is a chevy heavy 3/4 ton diesel. thank you very much
asked by: Chuck
Expert Reply:
What you are experiencing is "porpoising" which is when the trailer feels like it's rocking up and down like you mentioned. Most of the time this is due to not enough tongue weight which makes sense in your case as you have 200 lbs of tongue weight and your trailer weighs 2,700 lbs. You would want to get the tongue weight up by at least 70 lbs so that it's 10 percent of the total trailer weight. The safe zone for tongue weight is 10 to 15 percent of total trailer weight with most people preferring closer to 15 percent.
A weight distribution system might help but it's not the real solution. The real solution is finding a way to increase the tongue weight of the trailer by moving cargo further forward in it if possible or moving the axle of the trailer towards the rear of it so that more weight is in front of it.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Reese Friction Sway Control Kit - Economy - by Draw-Tite, Reese and Hidden Hitch
- Accessories and Parts
- Weight Distribution Hitch
- Sway Control Parts
- Reese
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Continue Researching
- Q&A: Water Heater Anode Rod Compatibility with Atwood G6A-7 Water Heater
- Search Results: electric drum brakes
- Shop: Dexter Electric Trailer Brakes - 10" - Left/Right Hand Assemblies - 3.5K
- Shop: Dexter Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly for 3,500-lb Axles - 10" Diameter - 5 on 4-1/2
- Shop: Trailer Hitch
- Search Results: 25580
- Shop: etrailer Electric Trailer Brakes - Self-Adjusting - 10" - Left/Right Hand Assemblies - 3.5K
- Q&A: Lug Nut Torque Chart for Trailer Wheels
- Article: Most Popular Wheel Bearings
- Q&A: How to Measure to Determine the Size Trailer Brakes Needed For Hydraulic Drum Replacement
- Search Results: trailer brakes
- Video: etrailer Electric Trailer Brake Kit Installation
- Article: Trailer Wiring Diagrams
- Shop: Trailer Wiring
- Shop: etrailer Electric Trailer Brakes - Self-Adjusting - 12" - Left/Right Hand - 5.2K to 7K
- Video: Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit Installation 23-26
- Shop: Brake Controller
- Search Results: l44649
- Shop: Easy Grease Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly for 3.5K Axles - 10" - 5 on 4-1/2 - Pre-Greased
- Q&A: How to Determine the Size of a Trailer Hub Assembly for Replacement
- Article: Brake Controller 7- and 4-Way Installation Kit (ETBC7)
- Search Results: l68149
- Article: Parts Needed to Add Electric Drum Brakes to a Trailer
- Shop: Suspension Enhancement
- Video: etrailer Trailer Brakes - Electric Drum Brakes - AKEBRK-35-SA Review
- Shop: Gooseneck Hitch
- Search Results: trailer brake controller
- Article: Trailer Tire Sizing
- Q&A: Replacement Drum Brake Actuator for a 1995 4 Winns Model 3916 Trailer
- Shop: Hub Bearing Kit for Lippert, Dexter, and AL-KO Axles - 3,500 lb with #84 Spindle
on Accessories and Parts
