Author: Gary WhiteCaravans and trailers can snake or oscillate from side to side while being towed, which is a phenomenon known as "snaking." This can be a dangerous condition, as it can make the caravan difficult to control and increase the risk of accidents.
There are several factors that can contribute to snaking in caravans, including:
1) Incorrect loading or balance: An unevenly loaded or unbalanced caravan can cause it to snake. It's important to load the caravan evenly and distribute the weight properly to help prevent snaking.
2) Incorrect hitch or coupling: Using an inappropriate hitch or coupling can cause the caravan to snake. It's important to use a hitch and coupling that are appropriate for the size and weight of the caravan.
3) Poor road conditions: Rough or uneven road surfaces can cause the caravan to snake. Avoiding these types of roads can help prevent snaking.
4) Excessive speed: Towing a caravan at high speeds can increase the risk of snaking. It's important to follow the speed limits for towing a caravan and drive at a safe speed.
By taking steps to properly load and balance the caravan, using the correct hitch and coupling, avoiding rough roads and driving at a safe speed, you can help prevent snaking and ensure the safety of you and other road users.
How to stop a trailer snaking and avoid it jack-knifing
There are a few steps you can take to help prevent a trailer or caravan from snaking (swaying / oscillating from side to side) and jack-knifing while being towed:
Make sure the trailer is properly loaded and balanced. An unevenly loaded or unbalanced trailer can cause it to snake. It's important to load the trailer evenly and distribute the weight properly to help prevent snaking.
Use the correct hitch and coupling. Using an inappropriate hitch or coupling can cause the trailer to snake. It's important to use a hitch and coupling that are appropriate for the size and weight of the trailer.
Avoid rough or uneven roads. Road conditions can contribute to snaking, so try to avoid rough or uneven roads whenever possible.
Use sway control devices. Sway control devices, such as weight distribution hitches or sway control bars, can help reduce snaking by keeping the trailer more stable while being towed.
Drive at a safe speed. Towing a trailer at high speeds can increase the risk of snaking. It's important to follow the speed limits for towing a trailer and drive at a safe speed.
Use proper towing techniques. Proper towing techniques, such as maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles and using lower gears when going up hills, can help prevent snaking and jack-knifing.
By following these steps, you can help avoid snaking and jack-knifing and ensure the safety of you and other road users while towing a caravan or trailer.
What to do if caravan starts swaying
If your caravan starts swaying or oscillating from side to side while being towed, it's important to take immediate action to regain control of the caravan. Here are a few steps you can take:
• Stay calm and keep a firm grip on the steering wheel. Don't make any sudden or jerky movements, as this can make the swaying worse.
• Gently ease off the accelerator. Reducing your speed can help reduce the swaying.
• If you are using a manual transmission, downshift to a lower gear. This can help slow the caravan down and reduce the swaying.
• Use your brakes gently if necessary. Applying the brakes too hard or too suddenly can make the swaying worse, so use them gently and gradually if needed.
• If the swaying continues and you are unable to regain control, pull over to the side of the road as safely as possible and stop.
If you are unable to stop the swaying and you are unable to regain control of the caravan, it's important to get off the road as quickly and safely as possible. Pull over to the side of the road and stop, or exit the highway at the next exit if possible. Once you have stopped, assess the situation and determine the cause of the swaying. If necessary, seek help from a qualified mechanic or auto dealership.
