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Big Waving Hands
Sunnybrook Lyrics

No lyrics text found for this track.

The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos

Comments from YouTube:

Brian G C

3y↑62

As mentioned by others, the 2 main causes are too much weight in the back of the RV and excessive speed. I have accidentally overloaded a flat bed trailer and the weight was too far back (miscalculated the weight of the cargo). As soon as the trailer started to wag, I slowed to 45 and the wagging stopped. Anyone of these accidents would have been prevented had the drivers simply slowed down.

Robert Colpitts

That's what happened to the truck/trailer in the first snippet.

A G

35w

I have personally witnessed a small flatbed trailer spin a small pickup truck when loaded with wood hanging off the back of the trailer so the weight was far to the back at 40 miles per hour.

Brian Halm

3y↑342

Don’t apply the foot brake. Reach down & apply trailer brakes only. The “pull” of the trailer on the tow vehicle straightens the rig immediately. Voice of experience.

john johnson

3y↑19

These people aren’t experienced at all in towing. They only know how to panic in these situations they put there selves and family into .

Mozberg21

3y↑55

I feel like everyone of those situations could have easily been corrected by applying the trailer brakes

brianmorg

3y↑23

Yes. Whether I was towing a 30’ TT or a 41’ 5ver, tapping the trailer brake only after passing a rig, being passed by a rig, exiting a tunnel (especially the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnels) just became a natural reaction. You can feel it in your seat when it’s time to tap the trailer brake.

DannoLights

3y↑18

100% what I was going to say. I have a 3/4 ton with a 25 foot trailer set correctly. Tail wagging the dog thing happens sometimes. Applying the trailer brakes by themselves corrects things immediately. Lack of experience. People don't bother to ask questions of others that have more knowledge doing something they are just starting.

Ron Johnson

3y↑11

I tow a 28 foot enclosed trailer at about 10,000 pounds of race car and gear. My Ecobeast handles it just fine and if I get trailer sway, the truck puts on the trailer brakes slightly. No problem if you are sensible.

30 More Replies...

CJ

2y↑8

What astounds me is that most of the drivers in this video continued driving at their previous speed once trailer sway started. Most of them were recoverable, but by continuing at the speed that instigated the sway to begin with they made a complete loss of control the only possible outcome. I cannot imagine towing a trailer, feeling it whipping around, and NOT reaching for the trailer brakes while letting off the throttle. Crazy. I think a lot of these instances are created by inexperienced or careless drivers.

Brad Lewis, Tucson, AZ

Absolutely! If you watch close, you can actually see that “point of no return” in the middle of the event! Thanks for watching & comment.

James M

3y↑69

None of the vehicles were undersized as it was all caused by improper towing, improper equipment, and speeds too fast for conditions.

Felix Chien

Undersized vehicles relative to the trailer WILL make sway MORE likely. Unless you can be specific on what you mean by improper towing and improper equipment...if the same driver pulled the same trailer exactly the same way; in a full ton truck instead of midsize suv, the sway accidents may never have happened.

Again, it depends on what you mean by "improper" towing and "improper" equipment. If you mean not loading the trailer forward from center of gravity and not having traIler brakes, sure. But then having an undersized vehicle is equally another factor. Id say it's a larger factor than what you're implying is "improper" equipment or towing.

Felix Chien

Anyone that agrees with this comment please think again. If it has nothing to do with the towing vehicle size then why arent we seeing this all the time with Semi's?

Even if you are towing a trailer with the "proper" equipment and "proper" towing, you WILL still experience some level of sway and you will need to rely on equipment to constantly correct that for you!

It's not as simple as just making 90% of the trailer weight is forward the center of gravity. Neither is there a specific speed (there is a maximum depending on the mass of the vehicle and trailer. Essentially anytime the trailer has more kinetic energy or "momentum" than your towing vehicle, you will sway. The more mass the trailer, the more this momentum.

If you have a properly sized vehicle, that momentum from the trailer cannot overcome the towing vehicles's mass and tire friction. Consider have you ever seen this happen with a dually truck? Probably very seldom. Because those dually tires have more resistance to fish tailing. Being that it is a heavier truck and provides more tire friction.

iamthebroker

43w

The OP is correct. Sorry.

snorman1911

40w

@Felix Chiena semi truck's trailer's wheel are way way in the back. Wouldn't it be nearly impossible to get a large enough load behind the tires significant enough to induce sway?

JM Richards

3y↑8

I like to watch cautionary videos like this before I roll out for a camping trip.
Weight distribution hitch - check. Within GVWR, tongue weight, and Tow rating limits - check. Proper cargo distribution in the trailer - check. Sway brake at proper tension - check. Weather status (not too windy) - check. Trailer brake calibration and testing post hitching - check. Don't be in a rush - check. Be humble. Be careful. Oh, and I avoid driving on Interstate highways with my Siverado 1/2ton.

Robert Ramirez

1y↑6

All of these trailers are mismatched to their tow vehicles both length, and weight wise, but another thing I noticed in the video was speed seems to be another of the main factors in all of these accidents, also did any of these vehicles have trailer brakes? Which is your best weapon against sway. I didn't notice any brake lights at all.

Robert A

28w

I'm sure all of those trailers had brakes, but I doubt all of those vehicles had brake controllers. If they did, they were probably the cheap time delay kind.

Jason Faught

3y↑29

At least two had trailer bumper carriers. That alone increase the odds for sway significantly.

Michael O'Cain

3y↑84

The weight distributing hitches and sway bar kits actually have a purpose

Rita Doyle

3y↑11

That's what I was wondering about. When i purchased my TT with zero experience towing ANYTHING, my dealership insisted on the ez2 anti-sway bars system on my f-150, I was so grateful and I have been so blessed.
NOW, almost 3yrs later, I'm starting truck driving school 06/07/21. Im not doing it to "become" a truck driver, im doing it for the proper knowledge. The trailers swaying is called "crack the whip" and its a real thing they teach how to stop your trailer from jackknifing.

frostybandit1

2y↑6

@Rita Doyle Never used one going on 10 years. Then again i am not these yahoo's pushing70-80+ either. Hard speed limit of 65MPH with ideal conditions and reduced speed depending on weather and other idiot drivers. The trailer will tell you what speed it is content with. If you have to drive 50MPH, then drive 50mph.

Brad Lewis, Tucson, AZ

2y↑3

That was what I thought as well…until it happened to me! No amount of “attention” will keep you safe from every circumstance when your rig is incorrectly loaded or over loaded, you have inadequate knowledge and experience, and don’t have proper towing equipment. So your turn will come…

Charles Holbrook

2y↑1

Was my thought exactly most or all of these could have be prevented with the use of a weight distribution hitch

Qw3rtScapes

When we had a bumper pull we had a gmc 1500 and a weight distribution hitch

2 More Replies...

shmodzilla

3y↑7

Make sure every time you hook up your camper and start heading down the road, use your manual trailer control to drag the brakes a few seconds because they are cold and probably rusty. Most of your campers sit for months. I switch sites nearly every two weeks and they literally do not work until I give them about five or ten seconds of full power.

Felix Chien

2y↑1

Having an undersized vehicle relative to the trailer size will definitely contribute to sway. If the mass of the trailer is close to that of the towing vehicle, it will apply more force to fishtail the towing vehicle.

If you are going to tow a large trailer make sure to have trailer brakes. When a trailer sway, it is wanting to go faster than the towing vehicle (ie it has more kinetic energy). The best way to stop the sway is to slow the Trailer down itself RELATIVE to the towing vehicle. In other words, the towing vehicle needs to go faster than the trailer. So both the towing vehicle speeds up while the trailer slows down.

The SAFEST way is to brake the trailer as speeding up (accelerating) quickly at high speeds may not be possible and it makes the condition more dangerous.

Because of the above, that is why it's safer to travel at slower speeds where there is less kinetic energy on both the towing vehicle and the trailer. Also, you can more easily speed up relative to the trailer at lower speeds

TouchStone

Travel trailer are like big sails. My pacifica tows a 2800 pound 21 foot Travel trailer from the hitch. I have Lt tires, a over sized hitch receiver, 7.5k pounds. 900 pound tongue rate. Pacifica gvwr 3600. Subtract hitch wait i have 700 pounds for people, cargo for both trailer and TV. Anit sway weight distribution hitch. Brake controller are a must.

Midwest A-Framer

3y↑10

Noticing a lot of these accidents happen while passing. I think people forget how much difference 10mph can make on a giant box on wheels

I also wonder how heavy some of those racks on back are, and if any are towing with tanks full/partially full (and where said tanks are located)...

jondrew55

3y↑11

I never drive over 65 when towing. I know my actual tongue weight. I keep my eyes open for when large trucks pass for that reverse snap from the wind. And I have a WD hitch with anti sway control. It’s never happened (yet), but if the trailer stars swaying, maintain speed and hit the trailer brake control.

Unicorn Queen

3y↑10

This also happens very often with large type vehicles like 3/4 ton up to 2 ton trucks. Number one problem is driver error. Too fast and not smooth enough lane changes and side to side steering. And combination of both.

Brian

3y↑3

Wind play a major factor as well.

FREEDOM 24v

1y↑1

One was a superduty pullin a 2500-4500 lb 25 footer from the 90z lmao!!!

likuidrano

35w

Will old shocks cause it also?

Ray Delien

3y↑3

Proper loading plays a big role here. I see a lot of these have stuff hanging off of the back.

Silas Longshot

3y↑2

There's also the issue of sway control. Obviously not much of that going on here. Also noticed that not one of 'em thought to touch the brakes lightly to snap the trailer under control. If your brake controller is set properly the trailer brakes will begin to apply before your tow vehicle

Barry Owens

3y↑2

I have seen this hundreds of times I guess over the years. Followed a guy one time and his family for several miles noticed he was swaying quite a bit he went down a ramp to a gas station and I was going there too mention to him that he was improperly loaded because his trailer was swaying so much he had a 3/4 ton truck. His comment was oh no it's okay this truck can handle it well we both left the gas station about the same time he proceeded to go down the ramp back down to the interstate there was a car between me and him or his trailer noticed he started swaying again and then he lost it.

JA

3y↑23

All of those were class 5 hitch, probably w/o stabilizer and load distribution hitch.

Rockhead Gary

3y↑7

The ending synopsis was pretty bang on.
Just because one may have the motor to pull a long or heavy trailer doesn’t make it safe. So so many other factors need to be considered.

Ted Summey

Weight distribution matters as much as capability of the tow vehicle.

Most trailer sway like this starts with too much weight in the rear of the trailer or lack of tongue weight. Add the “bow wave” of air off a tractor trailer, and you have a recipe for excessive sway. The immediate remedy is apply trailer brakes and slow down as others have mentioned. Then change weight distribution in the trailer by moving some stuff to add tongue weight. People tend to overload their trailers with too much stuff anyway. I once moved an empty RTIC cooler to the rear of my trailer, just that weight change was noticeable. It went in the bed of the truck for the rest of the trip.

On about every trip we go on, we see a truck pulling a camper without a weight distribution hitch. Too much tongue weight is equally dangerous because it decreases braking power of the front axle on the tow vehicle. Heavy braking can cause the trailer tongue to dive and further reduce weight on the front axle of the tow vehicle. Not a good situation.

Nick Rica

3y↑8

We were knocked off the freeway one night while in our car by a guy pulling a 25' Komfort bumper pull with a Jeep Cherokee Sport. No W/D or sway control. He was alone and his family was following in a big luxury car. I am sure he already knew it wasn't a safe towing set up. What a mess. Most inexperienced drivers only think about pulling the weight, not stopping the weight, loading or controlling the weight. Wind resistance or the impacts of wind never enter their minds, until they have that 'moment'.
We have been towing RV's for 30 years now. I hope this never happens to us. We use a one ton truck with the longest wheelbase they make. Still get nervous at times.

Heath Pass

33w

Weight distribution hitches and brake controllers go a long way in making your tow alot better. I have a 2021 Ram 1500 5.7L hemi and pull a 33 ft. travel camper with no problem. We have a awesome weight distribution hitch and a primus iq brake controller and have next to no sway even when being passed by semis. Keep you speed down when in traffic and enjoy the ride please.

9 Fingered Rippingsax player

3y↑14

I have my CDL A license, went thru a driving school plus a lot of training to drive 18 wheelers on the road. Anyone that buys these tow behind campers SHOULD be required to undergo specialized courses along side getting an endorsement on their license(after completing a DOT road test and passing). Most people don't have the proper knowledge and training to haul any type of trailerz let alone something 20+ feet long and 12+ feet in height

Kimberly O'Keeffe

2y↑1

I only have a class B and it chaps my butt that someone who has only every driven cars can plunk money down and drive off a lot with a 20 plus foot trailer or a motor home without any instruction or training!

Glenn Case

33w

That should also go for the larger class motorhomes.

Cheryl Ardis

Anti Sway Bars are godsend. Also a good heavy quality hitch helps as well ( mine is 50 lbs or 60 lbs) I use both and the difference is night and day.

When dealing with side winds slow down....way down shouldn't be overtaking. Also pay attention to the manufacturer speed limits on tires.

G Money

2y↑2

I agree with the author of this video stating that undersized tow vehicles are completely wrong. But another important issue is the hitch and the anti-sway aka equalizer bars. A poor quality hitch set-up or improperly installed stabilizer bars can be just as costly.

Robert Colpitts

Don't forget correct tires and proper tire inflation on both tow vehicle and trailer. I used to have stability issues until I put Light Truck (LT) tires on my tow vehicles and got rid of the P-Metric radial tires. That stopped nearly all stability issues while towing at 65 mph.

Bka

3y↑101

Notice they're always probably going above the speed limit. Got to get there hurry now

Dorian Culver

3y↑14

Yes and not one appears to try to slow down when the trailer starts to whip. Unbelievable

CZ War Lord

3y↑1

5er ftw.

Brian Sheppard

3y↑3

And definitely only pull the trailer brake when its just starting to sway..not when its starting to whip.

Duane Predhome

3y↑5

@Dorian Culver they say to speed up when the trailer starts to sway!! To get control over the trailer again!

Duane Predhome

3y↑2

Also to apply only the trailer brakes

10 More Replies...

Andrew Mitchell

3y↑7

You can tell all of them didn't have sway control. I have the equal-i-zer system and its the best. Driven through very high wind conditions and trailer doesn't move at all. The truck and trailer move together. I don't believe any of these would of happened with the setup I have. Its pretty amazing the control once you've got them on and set properly.

Tanya T

3y↑5

Not to mention people who think the sway/tow bars are not important this is proof of how valuable they are.

Josh Miller

Extremely valuable. Just pay the money to buy one they truly do make a ton of difference

kaoskev

Love to see someone enter this situation and recover. Crash always seems inevitable.

Quintin Rahn

3y↑3

It’s happened to me and I let off the gas and put the trailer brakes on all the way and it came out of it. The stain in my underwear didn’t come out though

James Glenn

Foot on the throttle and finger on the trailer brake controller👍👌
It really is that simple!!🤭

Caleb Byers

3y↑42

Everyone blaming the tow vehicle, which could help avoid issues like that, but simple skill (applying trailer brake and driving slower) and knowledge (loading the trailer properly) could avoid accidents without spending money on a new vehicle.
Not saying that you should tow a full size travel trailer with a jeep cherokee, but you don't need a 1 ton dually to pull a 25 footer if you're smart.

Robert gretter

3y↑3

If your smart, you will tow with a vehicle rated to tow your trailer. Arguing with physics is a loosing battle.

Richard Mann

3y↑3

Don’t forget speeding. All of these people appeared to be speeding.

zebracobra

3y↑2

@Robert gretter That's the thing, half ton trucks are getting up to 13k tow ratings, and with stiffer modern frames, larger brakes, and very powerful modern engines, in two or three years half ton trucks will get ratings in the 15k area.

Shane Oneil

Glad you said it ,, l wasnt going to bother ,..dont touch car brake and get straight into the electric trailer brake and it should settle down,,

Elliot Witecki

3y↑15

That Ford wasn’t a half ton. And it was a long bed. Lack of tongue weight is the main factor here.

liberte en famille

3y↑2

1- Driving at a decent speed // 2- have a weight distribution hitch with sway control // 3- know hot to use the trailers's braking system // 4- have the right truck ( tow capacity, payload and wheelbase for your trailer ) Simple as these 4 points..... and this will never happen!!

subject to change

3y↑1

For even the biggest pickups, it doesn't matter. These trailers weren't meant to travel higher speeds as if you're not towing. Even with weight distribution. Tires aren't made for speeds higher than 65 continously, especially weighted down. Axles & bearings aren't meant for that either. Maintain tire pressures! You ever wonder how old pickups hauled heavy weight? Slow & easy! Be safe & smart!

6xFlowerRanch

3y↑1

Main issue in all of these is no
sway bars/distribution hitch

T J

3y↑3

Thats why you need a longbed dually for towing travel trailers, a good sway controller, weight distribution hitch and brake controller. Always better to be too safe then not enough. 6 wheels tows a lot better than 4

Russell Tharp

unfortunately, they are not just giving out duallys. Lacking six figures shouldnt be a hindrance to going RVing. A lot of control problems can be compensated for by simply not trying to get where you want to go as though you're in a sports car. Slow and steady.

Vicki Bange

3y↑2

Dually wouldn't have helped - these drivers didn't seem to be braking at ALL. All rigs get some sway at times. You just give the trailer brake a pinch and its gone.

quack head

3y↑1

Too fast trailer weight not dispersed correctly and inexperienced driver's

Mark Reams

If you stay within all of the weight specs of trailer and tow vehicle and use a good weight distribution hitch you should be okay. That manual brake lever on the controller is there for a reason. Learn how to use it. Application of the trailer brake only will stop trailer sway and you don’t have to lock it up. The higher the speed the more likely something bad will happen! Some states have 55mph limits for towing. I’m not saying that going faster than that is unsafe. Utah and Texas have 80 and 85 mph limits. That’s definitely not a safe speed for towing any trailer. As winds increase slow down or take an extra day where you’re at. Learn as much as you can about towing. Have the proper equipment and know how to use it and use some common sense!

1 More Replies...

My Two Cents Guy

37w

What always amazes me is that once a trailer starts swaying these people don't TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE GAS!

vetterfellow

3y↑4

On a more serious note, / There's a sudden void the second you pass a large truck with a travel trailer that makes it sway like that. The speed is also a factor.

Vicki Bange

3y↑26

Every one of those would have been averted by applying the trailer brake. Speed doesn't look like the issue to me and there's no real way to tell if it's a weight issue. Once that sway oscillation starts, you can't outdrive it. TRAILER BRAKE, PEOPLE!!!

Caleb Byers

3y↑1

Yes! Everyone blaming the tow vehicle and the setup, which could help avoid issues like that, but simple driving skill could avoid accidents without spending money on a new vehicle.

James Mccreery

3y↑1

Yep you are absolutely correct apply a little trailer brake that would have corrected the problem

1 More Replies...

Killroy Johnson

2y↑1

I guarantee you that every single one of them said "oh my truck will tow that, no problem at all!" prior to this lmao 🤣!

I made the horrible mistake of saying that when a buddy offered to loan me his humongous trailer with 2 slide outs to go from Florida to Wisconsin one summer and all I had was a 2 wheel drive half ton Ford F150. I should've known better but was a dare devil and I went for it even though I knew within the first couple miles it was a horrible decision. Believe it or not, I made it there and back but I know for a fact I will never do something that stupid ever again. Not a chance in hell! Every single car, truck, van or whatever that passed us felt like a freight train whipping by and I had to hold on for dear life. It was the least enjoyable road trip I had ever been on lol! 🤣

Brad Lewis, Tucson, AZ

2y↑1

Thanks for watching and sharing your experiences!

Killroy Johnson

@Brad Lewis, Tucson, AZ definitely, and thank you for sharing this video. It's good to show people how dangerous certain things can be. I always took everything as a joke and "NO PROBLEM!" , but learned the hard way because I never saw what can really happen if you don't know what you're doing. Even if you do pull things off the way I did, it's still not good to press your luck.

Red Dawg

3y↑10

A couple of those trailers had full racks on the back which lightens up the hitch

Robert Cooper

I saw that too. Best part was watching the unsecured propane take move around.

Joe Barber

Cause ! Lack of knowledge between one’s ears.

Philippe deRepentigny

3y↑36

The problem does not end here, these drivers are just as clueless without a trailer !

Wolf Pack

3y↑1

Yeap.

David Douglass

You're absolutely right.

Unicorn Queen

Hahahha yeah funny. When you can't drive it doesn't matter what's connected.

PrecisionClays

3y↑27

That's what 90 to 180 degree out of phase steering input does. The the correct thing, applying trailer brakes, maybe throttle (combined with trailer brakes) and not doing any reactive steering.

Brad Lewis, Tucson, AZ

3y↑3

Absolutely correct! Thanks for watching!

AL Kalk

3y↑4

That is absolutely correct, reactive steering will make it worse. Let up on the gas and apply stiff trailer brakes while holding the steering straight ahead. Then get more weight on the toung and head to a trailer supply store and buy a distribution hitch and/with sway control.

Bryan Condrey

I was taught that when your rig starts to sway, 'stretch the chain'. So trailer braking has always worked for me but when they fail (not if but when) firm steering control and a little power can save your day.

King 43

WW II vet (heavy vehicle operator) with 45+ years OTR (his first run after the war included going over Highway 40 between Dillon and Georgetown in a single axle, Cummins 200 with a Jake, 8 speed hi-lo with a 35’ single) gave me this succinct, sage advise - “This ain’t no race, look five mile ahead then back, use your gears and then the brakes, and if the trailer starts to go, don’t lift, steer straight and play with your Johnson.”

baileytom78

Sounds like solid advice.

Richard Borgerding

3y↑1

That is why I tow my 32 foot travel trailer with an F350 dually at LOWER speeds. Don't forget the load bars and the sway bar. Big help.

Kevin V.

3y↑1

In each of these loss of control mishaps, every driver could have recovered control by just feathering the trailer brake controller, slowly adding enough braking force to pull the trailer straight, as you slow everything down! However you need to keep your cool an not panic!

Riggy Mars

3y↑9

This is "Trailering 101" every one of those trailers are too heavy on the back end.

Glenn Case

33w

I've never gone faster than the trailer allowed. Even properly loaded it'll tell me when I'm going too fast.

Hooba

This happens too often. People think by loading up the rear of the camper with the weight makes it easier on the truck. Load the tongue up and us a weight distribution hitch to keep it under control.

shmodzilla

Yup, a little sway, a little counter steer and keeps getting bigger. The entire reason that trailer brakes have a dam lever! Love my ram with the built in trailer unit. It's amazing. Though I only haul my tiny 19 ft.

Matt Laskey

3y↑1

I’ve experienced this firsthand, towing a 34’ Travel Trailer with a short wheel base Tahoe.....haha. That lasted one camp season....then bought an F350 and never looked back.

EAS Adventures

3y↑8

This seems more like a sway control problem than a weight problem

wiley coyote

3y↑3

Not enough tounge weight

woohunter1

@wiley coyote weight distribution hitch with SWAY control and of course proper tongue weight.

Ray Coleman

3y↑1

@EAS Adventures. A weight ‘problem’ is almost always a precursor to a sway problem. Not gross weight necessarily, but weight distribution. For towing stability a trailer must have a minimum of 10 % (up to 15 %) of it’s gross weight as tongue weight. If the trailer has even weight front to rear it will be an issue……if it has rear weight bias, it will be a VERY SERIOUS issue. That is not merely an opinion, it is Physics, not really subject to debate.

Charles Wesley

Use class E tires as the sidewalls are very stiff and helps with sway also.

Miykael1933

Exactly.

Brad Lewis, Tucson, AZ

I understand your desire to run heavier tires with a higher load range. Your statement would actually be true only if you can also run the trailer wheels at the upgraded load range pressure. Tires must be matched with wheels/rims and not all wheels that came from the factory will support upgraded tires and pressures. Each wheel must be stamped (usually on the back) with the "maximum operating pressure" for the wheel. Typical maximum pressures for the load range ratings are: LR-C=50, LR-D=65, LR-E=80, LR-F=95, and LR-G=110. So, for example, upgrading tires from load range E @ 80 psi to load range G @ 110 psi would also require wheels that would support 110 psi. Most wheels are selected at the factory for the factory established load rating and can not be "upgraded" - they must be replaced.

Best advice is 1) run tires that conform at a minimum to the TRAILER payload sticker at the factory established pressure as specified by the manufacturer, 2) always check your tires before each trip and daily for pressure, wear, etc. while on a trip, 3) use a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) to provide continuous monitoring of pressure and temperature, 4) replace tires before or when they reach their 5-year manufactured date. [This is a whole new subject; lots of good information available on tire aging. Generally, tires can look good but the rubber will naturally age and lose it's abilities with time. Most experts recommend 5 year maximum age on critical tires.]

Miykael1933

@Brad Lewis, Tucson, AZ Thanks for all that technical advice on the trailer tires. From my experience pulling travel trailers, the main problem is sidewall flex coming from the truck pulling the travel trailer if it has original factory tires, especially if it is a 150/1500 or other vehicle with low pressure tires. Of course, when you buy higher ply rated truck tires, you must make sure that your rims are capable of handling the extra pressure also. When I ran into that problem with my late model F-150 after buying a new travel trailer, I went with higher ply rated tires and it changed the pulling dynamics much for the better. I eventually bought a separate heavier used truck specifically for that purpose, but going with higher ply rated tires got me through until that time.

James

Such a shame, it happens all too often

Chilidog

3y↑1

That thrid one looks like an f250. I think it's more about speed, wind, and the proper hitch/equipment.

Danny B

some of this is caused by weight distribution in the camper. It must be weighted forward. If it is packed heavy behind the axel it causes this wobble effect also.. Mostly actually..

Nick Hurst

39w

Even if you are driving a 3/4 or 1 Ton tow vehicle, if the trailer is loaded wrong and or you are driving too fast this can still happen. It is NOT only limited to 1//2 ton vehicles.

M TM

3y↑10

It isn't the vehicle or the trailer, its the lack of anti sway and stabilizer hitches.

Nelson Davis

And not enough tongue weight.

Nismospeed1

3y↑13

Anyone else see all the weight distribution hitches and LACK of sway bars? If the vehicle is rated for it, both overall weight and tongue weight, size shouldn't matter if the PROPER hitching devices are used. You can't just toss a big trailer on a weight distribution hitch and call it good. Sometimes you need an air ride hitch, but you should always use a sway bar once you meet or exceed 20'. Another thing to consider, did all of these people know how to use those hitches? There are campers out there that just connect it and go. I've seen it, it's really scary. If you can't afford all the right towing components, don't tow it. Same applies to 1/2 ton and 1 ton trucks. And, for the love of all things holy, slow your ass down. The campsite will still be there, with or without you.

BruceMyersLBZ

Speaking out of years of personal experience the TYPE of load/ trailer DOES matter a LOT! 20K worth of equipment on my PJ gooseneck handles night and day better than our 42' toyhauler maxed at same weight of 20K. 2 completely different experiences. No real wind drag, typically much lower center of gravity, any flatbed doesnt act as a sail, catching wind as a travel trailer/ 5th wheel camper always does. Weight is only part of equation here. Many factors come into play. JD@ BTBRV lays it out very well for the inexperienced.

Josh Miller

Avoid highways and interstates if you can. I always try to take the “backroads” to the campsite where the speed limit never goes over 55 and yes it does take longer to get there but I get there in 1 piece. I also use a weight distribution hitch

BLD Lightpainting

3y↑1

Don't push the limits. When in doubt, use a tow vehicle that is much larger than the trailer you are intending to pull.

AL Kalk

Ya, just like semi-trucks...that weigh 20K and safely tow 60K.

I am the KERNEL!

28w

Yeah this is what i dont want to happen. Thats why im looking for a video with tips on how to help avoid this. Its happened to me once and somehow i pulled out of it. Acceleration didnt help like it normally does and you cant brake

Chilidog

That suv is a scary one because it just started whipping for no reason. Make sure you have a brake controller also so you can pump that thing in the even if a little sway and then slooooow down and recover.

rickpa79

3y↑5

most of those were operator error, not improper sized tow vehicle. i towed a 32 ft trailer with a expedition and had no problems. too much speed gets you every time

Brad Lewis, Tucson, AZ

So "operator error" is only made by people with long trailers and short wheelbase tow vehicles? Interesting concept - and completely ignores the physics of towing. No offense intended - if you choose to ignore the facts, that is your prerogative. You are right about speed. Glad you have not had a problem with your 32 ft trailer and expedition. Your turn will likely come...

Isaac Morrison

1y↑1

The vehicle towing that trailer is a cord excursion and it is capable of towing heavy. What went wrong was there is no sway control bars.

Robert Munson

3y↑2

The insurance companies who have these "accidents" reported to them should have the power to refuse settlements for drivers who don't use safety equipment or found to be speeding when a crash occurs. Speeding and lack of safety equipment, like anti-sway bars, is the drivers responsibility before leaving in the vehicle. So why does the insurance company and the other insured have to pay for others stupidity and entiltement.

Charlie Odom

They absolutely DO have the ability to refuse to cover damages!!!!

I have personally seen over a dozen claims be denied for over payload, over GCWR, and over speed.

Most trailer tires, the shitty ones manufacturers install, are only rated for 65mph! Good ones are only rated for 75mph, and I still see people towing at 80+.

68spc

3y↑1

I bet none of these people ever hit a truck scale to weigh anything. They all had too little tongue weight and could have easily fixed it before these accidents happen. I weigh everything I tow now from utility trailers to my gooseneck boat trailer. Proper tongue/pin weight is the key to safe trailering.

David James

3y↑13

What concerned me more was all the idiots driving behind these vehicles
were also NOT slowing down. Hey, honey look, that camper is out of control
let me get us closer for a better look....smh

Noogman

32w

Three thoughts for travel trailer pullers, 1) buy a weight distribution hitch. I like the equalizer brand. 2) Check your tires every day before traveling and make sure you have a proper tire inflation device that is meets your tires inflation standards. 3) never drive over 65 MPH. If you see a cow jockey pulling load of heffers down the road at 80 mph, just ignore him.

Dino Spemoni

2y↑1

Cracks me up that a lot of these are not undersized tow vehicles. Just people driving to fast with probably no weight distribution/anti sway hitches.

David Alejandro

3y↑49

Most of these are improperly loaded. That, combined with idiot drivers at unwise speeds will give you this crap every time. Some weren’t even long and one of those was behind a full size pickup.

joalul

3y↑2

Exactly. One common occurrence in every accident: No one hit the brake until it was unrecoverable.

Mark

3y↑1

@joalul just like the guy yesterday on I-55N here in Illinois by Bloomington. I was going 55-60 towing my camper just taking my time and this guy comes flying past us like we were standing still with his toy hauler swinging back and forth like crazy. I just slowed down and let the idiot go by us. Few miles later there he was in the ditch with pieces all over the place. Looked like a brand new F-150 Eco, a newer side by side, and the toy hauler still had the yellow temp tags on it.

wsmcook

3y↑2

You should not hit the brake in this situation, it actually makes the situation worse. In this situation you want to let go of the gas but apply the trailer brake.

Nicolaus Ranker

I wouldn't say that most of these tow vehicles were the problem. Probably no sway control or weight distributing hitch on any of them.
Too many people that buy this stuff are too cheap to invest in good name brand equalizer type hitches. They cheap out at the beginning and it costs them everything.
I see a ton of people with trailers that don't have the safety chains crossed properly or at the proper length.

Serious Problems

3y↑28

When towing a boat or travel trailer, I prefer the drive be as boring as possible.

Anthony Penalber

3y↑1

Lol i usually go 50-55mph

Josh Haas

3y↑6

A scary reality everyone pulling a trailer should see. But really, we should all be required proper training to pull and/or drive RVs. I can’t believe the rigs we see on the road. Matter of time I suppose.

Is it just me or are none of these drivers braking when the spiral begins? How is braking not the first reaction?

Brad Lewis, Tucson, AZ

3y↑3

I think you are right, at least in part. Slowing down is the first and best action. Once the "death spiral" begins, in most cases the operator can stop it up until nearly the very last moment by 1) applying the trailer brakes only and HARD, 2) applying a light throttle, and avoiding the cyclic counter-steer that causes escalation of the trailer whip. The idea is to straighten the rig out and avoid the cyclic left/right steering that causes the progressive left/right shifting of weight and momentum that builds in the trailer. Most of these rigs should never have left their home. Excessive weight behind the trailer axles (note the loaded bumpers on some of the examples), lack of adequate tongue weight, or excessive tongue weight causing unloading of the tow vehicle's steering axle can all contribute the the "disaster waiting to happen." All that is needed is a strong cross wind, some traffic whizzing by, a truck or two, not paying adequate attention, some overcorrection on the steering, too much speed...it's not an accident, it's an unplanned but inevitable event. Thanks for watching.

Josh Haas

3y↑1

@Brad Lewis, Tucson, AZ I suppose for most including myself it’d be hard to apply only the trailer brakes. I feel like the knee jerk reaction is to hit the brake pedal and not move my hand to the brake controller to manually apply only the trailer brake.

enterprise59

1y↑1

Betting no sway bars or weight distribution hitches were in use. If your trailer starts to sway, apply THE TRAILER brake control gradually and get off the gas!

Bryant Matthews

3y↑7

They just refuse to slow down when it starts wagging

Ron Fillmore

I have towed hundreds of thousands of miles with both bumper pull and gooseneck trailers since the 1970s! What we see in this video is the classic "Tail wagging the dog" syndrome! Several factors involved. Primarily with bumper pulls! The least understood is because of geometry! When the front of the tow vehicle moves one direction the front of the trailer moves slightly in the opposite direction! This is what sets up the oscillations! Conversely, if wind or some other factor should push the trailer one direction the tendency is for the front of the tow vehicle to go the opposite direction. Another factor is short wheel base tow vehicles! They have much less stability , especially the longer and heavier the trailer. Also, the greater the distance from the real axle of the tow vehicle to the point of hitch the greater the chance for oscillations! Yet another is how much heavier the trailer is than the tow vehicle! With bumper pulls, never attempt to pull a loaded trailer that weights twice as much or more than the tow vehicle. Also, far too many trailers are often loaded with the center of gravity over or behind the axles. Ideally, 60-70% of the total trailer weight should be in front of the axles, but not so much as to cause much lightening of the weight on the front of the tow vehicle! An equalizer hitch is a worthwhile consideration if there is any doubt in this area. Finally, if you ever feel the trailer start the oscillations apply the trailer brakes ONLY as you let up on the gas! That will usually stop the oscillations! Do NOT apply the tow vehicle brakes until the oscillations stop!

Electronics For Fun

That f250 was actually plenty big for that travel trailer.

Rave Master

1y↑1

I saw a guy do that right in front of me/ He was towing a brand new airstream with a brand new v6 f150. He rolled it and totaled both. He was okay tho luckily.

Gaston Gadet

The correct way to stop the sway is to slow down. Every truck-trailer combination has a critical speed at wich it becoms instable. If you simply hit the brake carefully the sway stops but most important is to do this as soon the sway starts. Don't even think of speeding up. Apply trailer brake is best.

Marcus Jones

A lot of people going wayyy to fast most likely....an experienced travel trailer hauler once told me to get a sway control kit. Done! Helps a bunch....guy also said that should I ever get whippy on highway, brake the trailer using only it’s own braking system, with the tow vehicle at speed....once away stops, slowly back off speed, no braking, until you can gain full control. Pull over change your shorts and resume with caution! 😬

Anthony Hitchings

This video is a good reminder for folks to get educated about towing.

Valiant Ranger.

Was once towing a med sized caravan down a long highway decent at speed and noticed it swaying side to side in the mirror, I slowed down and it came right.

B-dog Smittyman

These people never equipped the sway bars or had the weight distribution hitch, therefore losing control of the vehicle and trailer and swaying into disaster, the vehicles themselves are fine to tow that much but you must have the right hitch and equipment or else this will happen. People often also go faster than what they can handle with the trailer and also lose control. Just be careful out there guys!

James Jenkins

3y↑2

Not only under size vehicle, too high of speed. The rule used to be 45 MPH on trailers of any kind.

Dan Braun

@ 45 mph it would take a person weeks to go anywhere

John Peters

There was never a 45 MPH rule.....renting a U-Haul is not a "rule."

Dalton Brink

What about semi trailers? Unless you're pulling a-trains, they don't sway.

Dennis Zbosnik

Sway control bars!! They need to be using them.

Leo Menchey

Never had that happen with an RV trailer had it happened to me towing a 30-ft utility/car trailer with a short wheelbase Ford van I'll bet ripping out the trailer ball from the receiver bending the left rear wheel on my Ford van and dinging one of the fenders on the trailer I felt lucky because the Volvo 460 GLE that I was hauling on the trailer did a magical flip ended up on its four wheels but on the other side of the guardrail but I do hope that everybody is okay not hurt just shaking ever since then three quarter ton Chevrolet or nothing

Tamara Keathley

2y↑2

Time to watch the classic movie The Long Long Trailer. Desi Arnaiz, Lucille Ball. My favorite line is when the mechanic is yelling at Ricky - "Trailer Brake! Trailer Brake!!" 🤣

Brad Lewis, Tucson, AZ

2y↑1

LOL thanks for watching and for initiating some humor.

Luke Sheppard

3y↑3

Pressing the Manual over ride on your brake controller would of saved all of them. No idea

Jerry Nicholas

3y↑8

Can’t some of this be prevented by applying heavy trailer brakes and letting of the throttle? Don’t get me wrong the truck and trailer set up is wrong but on the first hint of trouble don’t keep on the speed.

Brad Lewis, Tucson, AZ

3y↑7

Absolutely...in fact you might consider a light/moderate INCREASE in throttle coupled with an emergency stop of just the trailer brakes. Also, if you have space, pretty much stop trying to correct the steering. The idea is to force the rig (truck and coupled trailer) into a straight line again. I had this happen to me on I-10 in the 1980's pulling a 24' travel trailer with a K5 blazer. I was successful in saving the rig in the last swing before a roll over. That's what forced me to re-evaluate my tow rig. But you are absolutely right about speed - SLOW DOWN is the best defense!

K H

3y↑8

Applying just trailer brakes would have saved every one of these.

No brake controllers?

TouchStone

Ever one of these accidents would never happen if TV was set up correctly. Anti sway and weight distribution hitch is a must. Travel trailer tires are rated for 65mph. Last but not least trailer brake controller.

Reuben J. Cogburn

Mister Lewis, you are correct in each one of your statements. Thank you.

baileytom78

3y↑3

I've overloaded many a trailer and hauled loads way bigger than I should have. With little to no issues. But I drive accordingly. No need to drive like A.J. Foyt trying to go on vacation.

John Bagley

3y↑2

I'm surprised I don't see more of this with people pulling giant boats down to the Outer Banks behind their little SUVs.

Brad Lewis, Tucson, AZ

3y↑1

Thanks for watching. I'm not an expert by any means, but:

1) I suspect that aerodynamics has a lot to do with the subject. RV's are "boxy", have large frontal area, big flat sides, and a flat back end. In other words, they are the worst possible aerodynamic shape from a towing perspective. This makes them highly susceptible to cross winds, traffic, and other driving variables.

2) In addition, an RV can be easily loaded with too little weight on the tongue. A boat's weight distribution would tend to be more fixed relative to the trailer axles vs. the tongue. So it is easy to improperly load an RV, much less likely to improperly load a boat/trailer. Again, those are just guesses on my part.

James Agnew

3y↑3

Just wanted to point out that there were a lot of heavy duty trucks and vans so maybe it’s not just a light truck thing.

Rogue Drone

3y↑1

It’s a speed thing.

Ken Bowser

It isn't, it's a tire thing. Mfgs tires arent for towing.

Brad Lewis, Tucson, AZ

3y↑1

@Ken Bowser Tires can play a role, but it's much more related to loading, wind, traffic, and speed. A properly loaded rig with OE tires will likely handle well (until one of the cheap tires blows out). However, the very BEST tires on an improperly loaded rig/tow vehicle, driven too fast by an operator who doesn't understand the issue can easily be subject to this type of lost control.

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