Is your travel trailer bouncing more than you’d like? Here are a few tips to help stop the rock and roll.
One of the main reasons people choose to tow a travel trailer is for the comfort and convenience it offers while on the road. However, if your travel trailer is constantly rocking back and forth, that comfort can quickly disappear.
Luckily, there are a few things you can do to minimize the movement and create a smoother ride. Read on for our top tips!
How do i stop my travel trailer from rocking - 10 Tips to Minimize Movement
1. Check your tongue weight
The first step is to check your tongue weight. This is the weight of the trailer that’s resting on the ball hitch of your tow vehicle. If the tongue weight is too light, it can cause the trailer to bounce and sway as you drive. In contrast, if the tongue weight is too heavy, it can make steering difficult and may put strain on the suspension of your vehicle.
2. Adjust your tire pressure
If your tires are underinflated, they’ll absorb more shock from bumps in the road, which can lead to a rougher ride. On the other hand, overinflated tires will provide less cushioning and could result in a jarring ride. To achieve the ideal tire pressure, consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual or the placard on the door jamb.
3. Add weight to the front of the trailer
If your trailer is still rocking and rolling after adjusting the tongue weight, try adding some weight to the front of the trailer. This will help to counterbalance the weight of the items in the back of the trailer and create a more stable ride. There are several ways in which you can do this, one of which is by filling up your fresh water tank before you get on the road.
4. Distribute weight evenly
When packing your trailer, be sure to distribute the weight evenly from front to back and side to side. This will help prevent any one area from being too heavy or light, which can lead to instability on the road.
5. Use sway control
If you’re still experiencing problems with your trailer swaying back and forth, consider using a sway control device. It is a simple device that is attached to your trailer hitch and helps to keep your trailer in line as you drive along.
6. Drive slowly
The faster you’re going, the more likely your trailer is to sway from side to side. So, if you’re having trouble with rocking and rolling, slow down! This may not be the most ideal solution for getting to your destination quickly, but it will help to make the ride smoother.
7. Take turns carefully
When taking turns, do so slowly and gently to avoid putting too much force on the trailer and causing it to rock.
8. Use caution in crosswinds
Windy conditions can also cause your trailer to sway, so be extra cautious when driving in crosswinds. Whenever possible, it would be best to avoid driving in these conditions as much as possible.
9. Avoid potholes
Potholes and other bumps in the road can jostle your trailer and lead to a bouncy ride. So, do your best to avoid them! If you can’t avoid them, slow down as much as possible before going over them.
10. Get your trailer serviced regularly
Last but not least, be sure to get your trailer serviced regularly. This will help ensure that all the components are in good working order and that there’s nothing loose that could cause rocking and rolling.
We hope these tips help you to achieve a smoother ride on your next road trip! Safe travels!
How Do I Level My Travel Trailer?
If you’re wondering how to stop my travel trailer from rocking, one important step is to make sure it’s level. An unlevel trailer can cause all sorts of problems, from making it difficult to cook and sleep inside to causing increased wear and tear on the trailer itself.
To level your trailer, simply use leveling blocks or jacks to raise the low side until it’s level with the high side. For more information on how to do this, check out our blog post on the subject!
How Do I Prevent My Trailer From Swaying?
There are a few things you can do to prevent your trailer from swaying:
- Check your tongue weight and adjust as needed
- Distribute weight evenly throughout the trailer
- Use sway control devices
- Drive slowly and take turns carefully
- Use caution in crosswinds
- Avoid potholes
- Get your trailer serviced regularly
If you follow these tips, you should be able to avoid any problems with trailer swaying. Safe travels!
Other Tips to Stop a Rocking Travel Trailer
In addition to the above tips, there are a few other things you can do to stop your travel trailer from rocking:
- Check the condition of your tires and make sure they’re properly inflated
- Add weight to the front of the trailer
- Use chocks to keep your trailer in place
- Pack heavier items towards the front of the trailer
What Tools Can I Use to Stop My Travel Trailer Rocking?
There are a few different tools you can use to stop your travel trailer from rocking:
- Leveling blocks or jacks to level the trailer
- Sway control devices to prevent swaying
- Chocks to keep the trailer in place
Conclusion
To stop your travel trailer from rocking, you need to understand what is causing it. By understanding the physics of how a trailer rocks and moves, you can take steps to correct the movement and keep yourself and your family safe on your next trip.
We hope that this article has helped shed some light on the causes of trailer motion and given you the tools you need to stop your travel trailer from rocking. Have any questions or comments? Let us know in the comment section below!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I stop my RV trailer from rocking when parked?
There are a number of things you can do to stop your RV trailer from rocking when parked:
- Check the condition of your tires and make sure they’re properly inflated
- Add weight to the front of the trailer
- Use chocks to keep your trailer in place
- Pack heavier items towards the front of the trailer
How do I stop my camper from shaking?
There are a number of things you can do to stop your camper from shaking:
- Check the condition of your tires and make sure they’re properly inflated
- Add weight to the front of the trailer
- Use chocks to keep your trailer in place
- Pack heavier items towards the front of the trailer
How can I make my trailer more stable?
There are a number of things you can do to make your trailer more stable:
- Check the condition of your tires and make sure they’re properly inflated
- Add weight to the front of the trailer
- Use chocks to keep your trailer in place
- Pack heavier items towards the front of the trailer
Are slide out stabilizers necessary?
Slide out stabilizers may not be necessary if your trailer is level and the slide outs are properly supported. However, if you’re experiencing problems with rocking or shaking, slide out stabilizers can help to stabilize the trailer.