rubble
SE Kentucky
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Joined: 02/08/2005
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I was behind this TT last week. We were on a slight grade downhill and the driver his brakes. Started with a slight sway and he let off. Hit the brakes again when the sway didn't quit and it got worse. He let off again and the sway lessened but didn't stop. He hit the brakes again it got worse at which point he stayed on the brakes and it just went crazy. He was doing about 65 to 75 when he first hit the brakes. Wasn't doing 20 when it went out of control and flipped.
I keep thinking to myself that I would either power thru it or reach down and hit the trailer brakes. Don't know if either would work but that is what I would try. Seems like hitting the truck brakes never help.
The truck was brand spanking new. The gentlemen worked all day the previous day getting things ready and they weren't 10 miles from their starting point. Luckily nobody was seriously injured. Just a few cuts and bruises. Trailer had brakes and sway bars.
Could the problem have been a result of too much tongue weight or too much trailer weight period? Truck was a 2500HD and I think it was a Dmax but can't remember. Driver was a very experienced driver. He said he saw someone in his mirror next to him and he was trying to keep it in his lane. We were behind him and there wasn't anyone around when he hit the brakes except for a car that had just passed them. Not trying to point out a fault or someone's misfortune. Just trying to diagnose the problem and hope that others can avoid it.
'05 Chevy 2500 D/A 4x4, Curt Brake Cont,
'06 F250 PSD Tow Boss
2005 Vanguard Kodiak VXL2700SL
2004 Dodge Dually 6speed man Cummins
2004 Carriage Compass
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C&M Beiser+4
Alton, IL
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Joined: 02/12/2004
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There's no way that I could know what caused his mishap, but I DO know that too LITTLE tongue weight will cause radical sway. Awesome that nobody was injured.
2003 F250 Lariat Crew Cab
2005 Jayco 325 bhs(after sig. photo)
16k Reese slider
wife, self, 4 teenagers
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DutchmenSport
Between Anderson, Pendleton, & Lapel, Indiana
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Joined: 10/10/2006
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I wonder if he had too much weight on the back and not enough on the front of the trailer. A light tongue weight will cause sway on even some of the best set-ups.
Tonight, I relocated some of the heavier items from the back storage to the front storage of our TT just to make sure I have a good heavy tongue weight. Pulling with my duelie, I've never had sway as it's rock solid. But I am always thinking about it and rear heavy weight will do it every time.
DutchmenSport
2005 Chevy Silverado 3500 Dually Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo
Century Truck Cap Commercial /Toolboxes
Northeast Outfitters Canoe
2006 Keystone Springdale Model 263DBL
Weight 4985, Carrying Capacity 2575, Hitch 560, Length 30'
Width 8', Height 10' 6"
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Chuck&Gail
In the Colorado Mountains
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Joined: 06/16/2004
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Likely too LITTLE tongue weight. Sway will always, IMO, stop if you hit brake controller override, and NOT TV brakes. Like throwing out an anchor.
Driver was NOT experienced at towing if he didn't try braking just trailer. Might also have been nose high on TT, which greatly exaggerates sway.
Chuck
Wonderful Wife
Australian Shepherd
2010 Ford Expedition TV
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Not yet camped in Hawaii, 2 Canada Provinces, & 2 Territories
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JJBIRISH
Butler, PA, USA
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Joined: 10/06/2002
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in that situation it is easy to say what you would do and know what to do, but you never know until it happens to you how you will react. often panic sets in faster than thinking.
he is very luck no one was hurt, and now knows how important balance is with a TT.
Love my mass produced, entry level, built by Lazy American Workers, Hornet
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Rollincool
RI
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Joined: 08/10/2007
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Chuck&Gail wrote:Likely too LITTLE tongue weight. Sway will always, IMO, stop if you hit brake controller override, and NOT TV brakes. Like throwing out an anchor.
Driver was NOT experienced at towing if he didn't try braking just trailer. Might also have been nose high on TT, which greatly exaggerates sway.
I could not have said it better myself. Just a good thing nobody killed.
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quad1100
Northern, CA
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Joined: 09/13/2004
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Isn't it a little hard to have too little tongue weight on a TT like that? I can see a Toy hauler or flatbed being loaded wrong.
2003 2500HD D/A
2004 40' SLC3905 Weekend Warrior
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4aSong
Northwest Arizona
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Joined: 10/15/2003
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I am still waiting to see when there is an improvement on where the lever for the brake controller is placed so its within easy reach of the driver. When sway occurs most of us are more inclined to hit the vehicle brakes as looking for the brake controller lever usually below the dash is a little awkward.
Mike and Nancy 
Tundra TRD V8 4WD
Prowler 20' Lite ( The Kramalot Inn )
EU2000i * Prodigy * McKesh * Trek
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East Texas Traveler
East Texas
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Joined: 08/16/2007
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Rubble, thanks for posting this information. Do you by any chance have any additional photos? I don't know if it means aything or not, but in the photo you posted it looks like there is an area of severe corrugation on the roadyway. Thnak God the people were okay and I'm going to be watching for comments on possible causes. Thanks again.
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GACampnGirl
Georgia
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Joined: 08/25/2003
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When we had the TT I didn't drive it that much. However, in the MH I actually accelerate slightly to try to stay straight on road (like when trucks pass me). Not sure if that helps with a TT experiencing sway. Maybe someone with more knowledge can clarify that...
Very glad no one was seriously hurt. Hope they are ok emotionally. What an experience!
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