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Topic ClosedSome sobering video of what NOT to do towing

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offgrid View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Some sobering video of what NOT to do towing
    Posted: 11 Dec 2019 at 6:57am
Trailer sway is actually a pretty complex dynamics problem. I did a search once and found a couple of papers which concluded that FEA modeling was needed to analyze it properly.

The key though I think I s to be sure your rig is self damping, as there are always going to be random lateral force inputs (sudden maneuvers, air pressure from a passing truck, etc) which can set off sway. To be sure you’re self damped, you can very carefully apply a steering input while you’re running down a straight traffic free stretch of highway. Your rig shouldn’t oscillate more than one cycle before returning to straight and level. If it doesn’t then move weight forward in the trailer and/or remove it from the rear of the trailer.

Personally I do this test without sway control, the add sway control for an additional margin of safety.

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Colt View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Dec 2019 at 1:01pm
Dang autocorrect! Uncapped = undamped.

Great video! It readily shows how having the CG behind the initial center of rotation becomes so quickly unstable. Seeing makes understanding much easier.
John
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Dec 2019 at 9:09am
Originally posted by Colt

So, ..... what kicks off the swaying? Once it starts, it looks uncapped and just grows.
In an aircraft, it's known as divergent instability. In an improperly designed, or improperly loaded aircraft, a small oscillation can turn into a large oscillation because aerodynamics and weight & balance contribute to the problem. It's not too different when towing a trailer. 

There are many short videos on the net that show how this can happen. This is one of them.
bp
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Dec 2019 at 9:37pm
So, ..... what kicks off the swaying? Once it starts, it looks uncapped and just grows.
John
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Jul 2019 at 7:47am
Greetings:
A couple of days ago, traffic cams picked up a incident in the MN metro area.  The SP stopped a TV with about a 25 foot trailer for a violation.  The Driver decided to take off.  Bad idea!  The SP place stop sticks on the roadway, the driver swerved to avoid, lost control, rolled the whole rig.  Now, not only wrecking everything he is facing multiple charges.  Isn't it fun to know that your sharing the road with folks like this???

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Jun 2019 at 10:14am
Most of that will buff right out.

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Jun 2019 at 7:01am
It is always better to arrive slower and alive than dead and in a box.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Jun 2019 at 12:36am
As a truck local truck driver I am going to say that most are from over speed. That's why in some states they give speed limit for regular traffic and a limit for trucks and vehicles pulling trailers. I am never in a hurry when I am pulling any type of trailer, myself and my family depend on me getting back home in one piece.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jun 2019 at 9:55am
+1 to offgrid and GlueGuy.  Also of note there was some pretty aggressive driving in many of these crashes.  Failure to yield, unsafe lane changes, excessive speed, and a basic lack of courtesy in driving.  
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jun 2019 at 9:25am
Originally posted by Jholler

I don't know, #2 just looks like a crosswind caught it.
If they had been driving slower for the wind conditions, it probably wouldn't have happened. The TV looked like a 1-ton dually, but that is a pretty long TT. I'm guessing it might not have had enough tongue weight.
bp
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