Caravan Sway Explained: How to Reduce Trailer Sway
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Imagine you’re cruising the highway, getting ready to enjoy a relaxing outdoor holiday, and all of a sudden, your caravan starts to sway. What starts as a wobble may go from being slightly unsettling to downright frightening in a matter of moments. This scary event can occur because of incorrect caravan weight distribution and the laws of physics. So, whether you choose to learn as much as you can about how to reduce trailer sway or you want to know if a weight distribution hitch can improve towing, Windsor RV has done the legwork for you in this article to help you understand and hopefully avoid the dreaded caravan sway.
What is Caravan Sway and How Does it Happen?
Caravan sway is the snake-like motion of the van moving side-to-side behind the towing vehicle. This occurs when the trailer is travelling faster than the towing vehicle and begins to gain momentum, almost like it’s trying to “overtake”. It can be caused by a wind gust, from a passing truck, going downhill, sudden steering correction or from incorrect weight distribution of the caravan. The biggest problem with caravan sway is that if left uncorrected, it can quickly escalate into dangerous loss of control.
There are many factors that contribute to the caravan swaying when towing, including:
Incorrect Caravan Weight Distribution
If your towing vehicle is travelling with its back lower than its front, there is a clear issue with caravan weight distribution. Gear that has been unevenly loaded, or too much weight behind the axle, can cause this imbalance. And if there isn’t enough downward force on the tow ball while driving, the front tyres of the tow vehicle can lose grip, which will impact steering and braking.
Solution: To correct the weight distribution in the caravan, ensure an evenly spread load throughout. Place about 8-15% of the caravan’s loaded weight resting on the tow ball, and pack heavy items low and close to the axle. Always check manufacturer recommendations, and consider a weight distribution hitch to reduce sway.
Incorrect Tow Ball Height
The wrong tow ball height can cause the caravan to tilt forwards or backwards, resulting in uneven weight distribution across the axles. This instability will increase the risk of caravan sway, particularly when braking or driving at high speeds.
Solution: To avoid the caravan sitting nose or tail-heavy after hitching, ensure the tow ball height is as close as possible to the caravan coupling—ideally 20mm higher or lower than the ball. This will likely maintain safe and even caravan weight distribution.
External Forces
Be mindful of crosswinds from large trucks, coastal roads or driving over high bridges. If you make sudden steering movements or brake suddenly, this can cause caravan swaying when towing. Road conditions, such as potholes, loose gravel or sudden dips, can also impact safety.
Solution: Always check your tyre pressure, as soft tyres can greatly impact responsiveness. Watch your speed because more kinetic energy is created the faster you drive. In simple terms, this is the power a vehicle has due to its movement, directly proportional to mass and speed. Slow down in turbulent conditions and when going downhill to ensure you can recover faster if the caravan starts to sway.
Incompatible Towing Vehicle to Caravan
If your caravan is too heavy for your car, it can cause significant problems when towing. Without the right setup, your towing vehicle can struggle to maintain control, leading to instability and sway.
Solution: Make sure your towing vehicle is rated for your van's weight and use the recommended towing accessories, such as caravan weight distribution hitches and sway control systems, for a safer, more even driving experience.
How Modern Electronic Stability Control Has Impacted Caravan Sway
Pre-2000s globally and pre-2012 in Australia, managing caravan sway was manually controlled. Drivers mostly relied on anti-sway bars, correct loading, weight distribution hitches and proper towing practices. In 2012, AL-KO ESC (electronic stability control) entered the local market, reducing the pressure on Australian drivers by introducing automatic braking systems built into the caravans themselves. This sophisticated electronic brake system monitors the caravan to prevent potentially hazardous lateral movements by instantly applying the electric brakes until the caravan rights itself.
By the mid-2010s, ESC became a common safety feature on larger or high-end vans, whereby some insurance policies were voided if heavy towing setups didn’t include it. However, the system isn’t foolproof and sway, while reduced, has not been eradicated. There may still be times when you have to override the electric brake controller or fit a new stability control system for your van.
Does a Weight Distribution Hitch Reduce Sway?
Rather than directly helping to correct caravan sway like a control system or ESC does, a weight distribution hitch is not a dedicated anti-sway device. Rather, it impacts the conditions that cause instability in the first place. Hooking a heavy caravan onto a towing vehicle can cause the rear to sag or the front to lift, which can drastically impact your steering, traction and braking.
A caravan weight distribution hitch spreads the load evenly across the axles, which include the front and rear of the towing vehicle and the caravan’s axles. This can greatly improve stability, braking, steering response and driver control following wind gusts or when passing heavy vehicles, such as trucks.
What to Do If Your Caravan is Swaying When Towing
There are a few key points to remember to reduce trailer sway when towing a caravan, which include:
Don’t accelerate as this will only increase the sway and make it harder to correct.
Avoid slamming the brakes, as this may cause even greater imbalance.
Rather than braking the towing vehicle, apply the caravan brakes using the override on the electric brake controller.
Resist the urge to correct too harshly and maintain steadiness on the steering wheel.
Ensure you slow gently as the sway begins to decrease.
The latest Windsor Caravans have built-in electronic stability controls (ESC) for peace of mind while towing your caravan. Contact your local dealership to discuss which model will suit your needs while helping to keep you and others safe on Australian roads.