Truck-trailer fish tail

Moto Nomad
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Moto Nomad
Edited Date/Time 12/1/2021 10:31pm
This morning I was coming down a long hill, towing my R-Pod (see photo) and the thing started fishtailing. It's similar to a speed wobble on a bike where slowing down makes it worse, but you can't speed up either. You can feel the fishtail building like the damn thing is gonna jackknife. I had a wall inches from me on the left and had to go into the right lane a bit while very softly adding brakes- fucking scary. I guess I need an anti-sway bar- it's the second time this has happened. This ever happen to anybody?
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SEE ARE125 11/22/2021 2:55pm
11/22/2021 2:55pm
Usually the result of too much tongue weight. How does it tow empty? If it’s fine empty, but worse when you load all your gear in it, try loading it differently with the heavier stuff in the rear of the camper and lighter stuff up front. It’s sketchy AF for sure.
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Falcon
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Falcon 11/22/2021 2:58pm
11/22/2021 2:58pm
I hasn't happened to me with anything more than a single PWC on a trailer. I understand it's often from insufficient tongue weight, however. Try loading more gear into the front of your trailer and minimize the load in your truck bed.

Your R-Pod looks small enough to not need them, but does it have trailer brakes? You can often squash the wiggle by dragging the trailer brakes but not touching the brake pedal.
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Falcon
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Falcon 11/22/2021 2:58pm
11/22/2021 2:58pm
SEE ARE125 wrote:
Usually the result of too much tongue weight. How does it tow empty? If it’s fine empty, but worse when you load all your gear in...
Usually the result of too much tongue weight. How does it tow empty? If it’s fine empty, but worse when you load all your gear in it, try loading it differently with the heavier stuff in the rear of the camper and lighter stuff up front. It’s sketchy AF for sure.
I could have sworn it was the opposite; not enough tongue weight. Now I'm confused. I'm going to look for answers!
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The Shop

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SEE ARE125 11/22/2021 3:05pm
11/22/2021 3:05pm
SEE ARE125 wrote:
Usually the result of too much tongue weight. How does it tow empty? If it’s fine empty, but worse when you load all your gear in...
Usually the result of too much tongue weight. How does it tow empty? If it’s fine empty, but worse when you load all your gear in it, try loading it differently with the heavier stuff in the rear of the camper and lighter stuff up front. It’s sketchy AF for sure.
Falcon wrote:
I could have sworn it was the opposite; not enough tongue weight. Now I'm confused. I'm going to look for answers!
You’re correct, I had it backwards. Here’s a cool video:
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Moto Nomad
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Moto Nomad 11/22/2021 3:17pm
11/22/2021 3:17pm Edited Date/Time 11/22/2021 3:22pm
Oh wow- okay. I didn't think about that. See, that's why I come here.
I didn't have much gear in the RV. If I do put stuff in there, I'll put it toward the front. The section of highway I was on is sketchy to begin with because it has a wall with literally inches to spare between the oncoming lanes. Not a fun place to get into a swapper!
colintrax
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colintrax 11/22/2021 3:46pm
11/22/2021 3:46pm
Looks like you're towing with a lifted Taco with offroad tires. Really not the best tow rig if so.

But as others have said, load weight to the front. You can use an old bathroom scale to weigh the tongue and wheels. Make sure your tongue weight is correct.
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Falcon
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Falcon 11/23/2021 9:06am
11/23/2021 9:06am
Also, don't underestimate the value of slowing down! A tow setup is not the ideal vehicle for hauling ass. Take it easy and arrive alive!
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SEEMEFIRST
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SEEMEFIRST 11/23/2021 5:05pm
11/23/2021 5:05pm
Moto Nomad wrote:
This morning I was coming down a long hill, towing my R-Pod (see photo) and the thing started fishtailing. It's similar to a speed wobble on...
This morning I was coming down a long hill, towing my R-Pod (see photo) and the thing started fishtailing. It's similar to a speed wobble on a bike where slowing down makes it worse, but you can't speed up either. You can feel the fishtail building like the damn thing is gonna jackknife. I had a wall inches from me on the left and had to go into the right lane a bit while very softly adding brakes- fucking scary. I guess I need an anti-sway bar- it's the second time this has happened. This ever happen to anybody?
I certainly feel your pain.
I was towing a little pop-up behind an old Bronco II.
little short wheelbase thing.

Well, a tire on the trailer let go at 65-70 MPH.

I started swapping like a 81 CR 125.
The rear wheels of the Bronco were leaving the pavement.

I managed to get it woahed up, and ended up on the grass between the roads.

I had people driving by giving me thumbs up, and 2 guys stopped saying they couldn't believe I saved it.

I was shitting nickels.
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Moto Nomad
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Moto Nomad 11/23/2021 9:06pm
11/23/2021 9:06pm
Moto Nomad wrote:
This morning I was coming down a long hill, towing my R-Pod (see photo) and the thing started fishtailing. It's similar to a speed wobble on...
This morning I was coming down a long hill, towing my R-Pod (see photo) and the thing started fishtailing. It's similar to a speed wobble on a bike where slowing down makes it worse, but you can't speed up either. You can feel the fishtail building like the damn thing is gonna jackknife. I had a wall inches from me on the left and had to go into the right lane a bit while very softly adding brakes- fucking scary. I guess I need an anti-sway bar- it's the second time this has happened. This ever happen to anybody?
SEEMEFIRST wrote:
I certainly feel your pain. I was towing a little pop-up behind an old Bronco II. little short wheelbase thing. Well, a tire on the trailer...
I certainly feel your pain.
I was towing a little pop-up behind an old Bronco II.
little short wheelbase thing.

Well, a tire on the trailer let go at 65-70 MPH.

I started swapping like a 81 CR 125.
The rear wheels of the Bronco were leaving the pavement.

I managed to get it woahed up, and ended up on the grass between the roads.

I had people driving by giving me thumbs up, and 2 guys stopped saying they couldn't believe I saved it.

I was shitting nickels.
I seriously feel like bike experience helps in these situations. I used to get in gnarly tank-slappers on my 1980 RM80 and learned the physics. If you panic and stomp the brakes, or over-correct with the steering, you're fucked! I'm still having visions of my rig swapping out, jackknifing and rolling over the shitty retaining wall into oncoming traffic at 65 mph, with all the fun that would entail (shudder).
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Muttly
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Muttly 11/24/2021 9:43am
11/24/2021 9:43am
SEE ARE125 wrote:
Usually the result of too much tongue weight. How does it tow empty? If it’s fine empty, but worse when you load all your gear in...
Usually the result of too much tongue weight. How does it tow empty? If it’s fine empty, but worse when you load all your gear in it, try loading it differently with the heavier stuff in the rear of the camper and lighter stuff up front. It’s sketchy AF for sure.
Not enough tongue weight.
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Splat03
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Splat03 11/27/2021 10:40am
11/27/2021 10:40am
Tongue weight can go both ways. Way too much or overloading the rear of a trailer causing the trailer to pull up on the hitch can have the same effect.
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Dirtydeeds 11/27/2021 11:08am
11/27/2021 11:08am
I have always used load distribution and sway control and never had a problem.



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captmoto
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captmoto 11/27/2021 12:29pm
11/27/2021 12:29pm
If you are running a trailer brake you can slowly manually engage the brake without using the truck brakes. By slowly I mean don't slam it on. There is an electric sway control unit that measures sway and automatically feeds in brake signals to cut the sway
If your truck is lifted you need to consider how the trailer rides. It should be close to level or even a inch or two low at the front. Raising the tongue of the trailer can cause the weight bias to shift to the rear.
There is a lot to consider when towing, especially with trucks not really made to tow very much weight. Set up becomes more critical.
Check Youtube, there may be a video specifically for your tow vehicle.
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Boomslang 11/27/2021 8:36pm
11/27/2021 8:36pm Edited Date/Time 11/30/2021 7:13am
Oscillatuon....swinging motion. Some trailers are worse than others....directly related to the genius who built it and the effect can be compounded by the specialist who loaded it incorrectly.

Happened me a number of times over the years. Do not try and use your steering wheel to counter the swing of the trailer. Keep the wheel straight whilst decelerating and don't jump on the brake padel. Let the whole wagon decelerate naturally. The trailer will settle.

Try fight it with the steering wheel, hard braking etc and it'll turn into a shitstorm...in most cases you jack-knife and roll the shit over.
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FLmxer 11/30/2021 7:04am
11/30/2021 7:04am
I am about to purchase a 22 foot equipment trailer to hold my tractor and my zero turn. One of my boat trailers is 30' and my tower is taller than a lot of stop lights and i have towed it all over the coastal U.S. only hitting one light. Have to always be aware.
My truck came with the 5th wheel brackets but not the actual hitch and i was trying to decide if i want a bumper pull so i have the room in the bed or just go with the 5th wheel for the equipment trailer.

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SEEMEFIRST
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SEEMEFIRST 11/30/2021 7:15am
11/30/2021 7:15am
For a full size tractor? 5th wheel, for sure.
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Splat03
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Splat03 11/30/2021 5:52pm
11/30/2021 5:52pm
FLmxer wrote:
I am about to purchase a 22 foot equipment trailer to hold my tractor and my zero turn. One of my boat trailers is 30' and...
I am about to purchase a 22 foot equipment trailer to hold my tractor and my zero turn. One of my boat trailers is 30' and my tower is taller than a lot of stop lights and i have towed it all over the coastal U.S. only hitting one light. Have to always be aware.
My truck came with the 5th wheel brackets but not the actual hitch and i was trying to decide if i want a bumper pull so i have the room in the bed or just go with the 5th wheel for the equipment trailer.
Go for a gooseneck instead of a 5th wheel. They are much more common hitch types for equipment trailers and you can flip the ball over when not in use and have your entire bed open.
SEEMEFIRST
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SEEMEFIRST 11/30/2021 5:58pm
11/30/2021 5:58pm
FLmxer wrote:
I am about to purchase a 22 foot equipment trailer to hold my tractor and my zero turn. One of my boat trailers is 30' and...
I am about to purchase a 22 foot equipment trailer to hold my tractor and my zero turn. One of my boat trailers is 30' and my tower is taller than a lot of stop lights and i have towed it all over the coastal U.S. only hitting one light. Have to always be aware.
My truck came with the 5th wheel brackets but not the actual hitch and i was trying to decide if i want a bumper pull so i have the room in the bed or just go with the 5th wheel for the equipment trailer.
Splat03 wrote:
Go for a gooseneck instead of a 5th wheel. They are much more common hitch types for equipment trailers and you can flip the ball over...
Go for a gooseneck instead of a 5th wheel. They are much more common hitch types for equipment trailers and you can flip the ball over when not in use and have your entire bed open.
Yeah, what he said.
I was just thinking about getting it over the axle.

But yeah, that's what I would do.
It's easier to connect by yourself too.
ns503
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ns503 12/1/2021 4:04am
12/1/2021 4:04am
FLmxer wrote:
I am about to purchase a 22 foot equipment trailer to hold my tractor and my zero turn. One of my boat trailers is 30' and...
I am about to purchase a 22 foot equipment trailer to hold my tractor and my zero turn. One of my boat trailers is 30' and my tower is taller than a lot of stop lights and i have towed it all over the coastal U.S. only hitting one light. Have to always be aware.
My truck came with the 5th wheel brackets but not the actual hitch and i was trying to decide if i want a bumper pull so i have the room in the bed or just go with the 5th wheel for the equipment trailer.
Splat03 wrote:
Go for a gooseneck instead of a 5th wheel. They are much more common hitch types for equipment trailers and you can flip the ball over...
Go for a gooseneck instead of a 5th wheel. They are much more common hitch types for equipment trailers and you can flip the ball over when not in use and have your entire bed open.
Or you can get the kind that puts the ball on a bracket and you can just pull a couple pins and slide the whole bracket/ball thing out just leaving a couple of small rails behind. That's what our F350 had.
Timo
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Timo 12/1/2021 8:21pm
12/1/2021 8:21pm
FLmxer wrote:
I am about to purchase a 22 foot equipment trailer to hold my tractor and my zero turn. One of my boat trailers is 30' and...
I am about to purchase a 22 foot equipment trailer to hold my tractor and my zero turn. One of my boat trailers is 30' and my tower is taller than a lot of stop lights and i have towed it all over the coastal U.S. only hitting one light. Have to always be aware.
My truck came with the 5th wheel brackets but not the actual hitch and i was trying to decide if i want a bumper pull so i have the room in the bed or just go with the 5th wheel for the equipment trailer.
Splat03 wrote:
Go for a gooseneck instead of a 5th wheel. They are much more common hitch types for equipment trailers and you can flip the ball over...
Go for a gooseneck instead of a 5th wheel. They are much more common hitch types for equipment trailers and you can flip the ball over when not in use and have your entire bed open.
ns503 wrote:
Or you can get the kind that puts the ball on a bracket and you can just pull a couple pins and slide the whole bracket/ball...
Or you can get the kind that puts the ball on a bracket and you can just pull a couple pins and slide the whole bracket/ball thing out just leaving a couple of small rails behind. That's what our F350 had.
They always get in the way when sliding things in the bed, goose neck is the way to go.

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