Towing while it's raining.

[Skater]

Originally Posted by jdalrymple

Trailers are not spooky horses, looking for a way to blow up and unload the rider at anytime.

Good point. I was just saying to my wife on a recent trip that you get to the point with towing that you realize the trailer is simply going to follow you. On the interstate, the only thing you have to watch is the longer length while merging, but if you keep the truck between the lines, the trailer will do the same.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Friction sway control manufacturers, all recommend that their friction sway control be loosen or taken off when towing in the rain.

Water is a lubricant to the friction pads, which renders them useless, the same as the shoe brakes on tow vehicles do when getting wet.

Andy

[Drathaar]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Friction sway control manufacturers, all recommend that their friction sway control be loosen or taken off when towing in the rain.

Water is a lubricant to the friction pads, which renders them useless, the same as the shoe brakes on tow vehicles do when getting wet.

Andy

So... Is there a detrimental effect? I agree that wet friction pads are not as effective, but I am missing how it would be harmful to leave them tightened or connected.

[dkottum]

I thought when making a turn or steering correction or the road, the friction sway control resists returning to a straight line. So because of the reduced tire traction on the wet roadway, you could lose control of the rig.

doug

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Drathaar

So... Is there a detrimental effect? I agree that wet friction pads are not as effective, but I am missing how it would be harmful to leave them tightened or connected.

It can cause loss of control, unless loosened.

Andy

[GeocamperAS]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

It can cause loss of control, unless loosened.

Andy

Andy, I have the Reese Weight Distribution with sway control I bought from you. Is there a way to loosen the sway without changing the weight distribution? Or is this setup not an issue?

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by tiger

Andy, I have the Reese Weight Distribution with sway control I bought from you. Is there a way to loosen the sway without changing the weight distribution? Or is this setup not an issue?

There is no need to loosen anything when using a Reese "dual cam" sway control.

Andy

[Airstreamer67]

Quote: "Friction sway control manufacturers, all recommend that their friction sway control be loosen or taken off when towing in the rain. Water is a lubricant to the friction pads, which renders them useless, the same as the shoe brakes on tow vehicles do when getting wet."

This seems contradictory. If water lubricates the friction pads and renders them useless, then why bother to loosen them in the rain?

Also, cars (and trailers) should not be driven in the rain because the brakes get wet?

Wow.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Airstreamer67

Quote: "Friction sway control manufacturers, all recommend that their friction sway control be loosen or taken off when towing in the rain. Water is a lubricant to the friction pads, which renders them useless, the same as the shoe brakes on tow vehicles do when getting wet."

This seems contradictory. If water lubricates the friction pads and renders them useless, then why bother to loosen them in the rain?

Also, cars (and trailers) should not be driven in the rain because the brakes get wet?

Wow.

WOW, is correct.

Driving in the rain does not get the brakes shoes wet.

" BUT, driving through puddles that are several inches deep, does get them wet"

Perhaps I should defined the depth of the water, so there would be no misunderstanding.

Andy.

[Drathaar]

Originally Posted by Airstreamer67

Quote: "Friction sway control manufacturers, all recommend that their friction sway control be loosen or taken off when towing in the rain. Water is a lubricant to the friction pads, which renders them useless, the same as the shoe brakes on tow vehicles do when getting wet."

This seems contradictory. If water lubricates the friction pads and renders them useless, then why bother to loosen them in the rain?

Wow.

That is what I was trying to ferret out/understand.

[Bill M.]

The dual cam hitch and the friction sway devices on other hitches both add a force that pushs the TV straight instead of turning and pushes the trailer sideways when the rig is turning. I think this could be a problem on ice or snow, but probably not in the rain.

[dkrug]

Originally Posted by jdalrymple

I like our cam anti-sway. No worries about what happens in the rain, snow, or ice.

I slow down enough to be comfortable, but certainly not enough to require the use of flashers.

I suppose my position is this:

Being comfortable towing a trailer comes with experience.

If one has been exposed to towing lots of trailers in varying conditions, one is more comfortable doing so.

If one purchases a trailer, loads all their possessions, and is learning as they go, one will no doubt be apprehensive in less than ideal conditions. For a while.

Trailers are not spooky horses, looking for a way to blow up and unload the rider at anytime.

We brag about how well behaved Airstreams are compared to SOBs, so enjoy the day, slow down a little to allow yourself a little extra time to stop when in traffic and drive until cocktail hour.

Regards,

JD

My husband and I are comfortable towing. We have towed stock trailers, equipment trailers, utility trailers, gravity wagons, hay wagons and travel trailers. Airstreams tow nicer than any of them. However, twice we have used our flashers. When it is raining so hard you can't see and you can't pull off because there is nowhere to go and the vehicle in front of you is going slow, the flashers might help someone see you are there.

[mojo]

Driving with your flashers on in Florida is illegal, and should/could be in other sates as well. Living in Florida for many years, these people caused many accidents when it rained. With their flashers on they change lanes frequently, so turn signals don't work, and you do not know when they are braking or slowing.

Flashers should be used for an emergency when pulled over, or to warn others of slowing conditions due to accident or towing slowly up a grade. Your headlights and tail lights work well to let folks know you are there.

[Skater]

Dang...I felt like I was so close to understanding why the friction bar should be loosened in the rain.

[perryg114]

If you drive with bald bias ply tires on your trailer with them inflated to 90 psi I might loosen the sway bar but then I would not drive with tires like that.

Perry

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Friction sway control manufacturers, all recommend that their friction sway control be loosen or taken off when towing in the rain.

Water is a lubricant to the friction pads, which renders them useless, the same as the shoe brakes on tow vehicles do when getting wet.

Andy

Originally Posted by Drathaar

So... Is there a detrimental effect? I agree that wet friction pads are not as effective, but I am missing how it would be harmful to leave them tightened or connected.

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

It can cause loss of control, unless loosened.

Andy

Hi, if water renders them useless, then there is no need to loosen anything. Therefore, no loss of control.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by TouringDan

Good point. I will make sure that I turn my headlights on in the rain.

Dan

Hi, turning your lights on in the rain is a fairly new California law.

[A W Warn]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Friction sway control manufacturers, all recommend that their friction sway control be loosen or taken off when towing in the rain.

Andy

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

There is no need to loosen anything when using a Reese "dual cam" sway control.

Andy

What is the difference while driving in rain or on ice?

A friction type (either the friction bar or Anderson type) anti-sway device resists motion in any direction, whether going straight or when the trailer pivots on the ball in a curve. (a problem both going straight or in a curve if the friction on the device overcomes traction)

A Reese dual cam type anti-sway device resist pivoting on the ball in a curve using both friction and tension, trying to push the trailer straight behind the tow vehicle. (a problem in a curve only if the friction and tension on the device overcomes traction)

Using any of these anti-type sway devices when trailer tire to road surface traction is overcome as a result of wetness or ice, the result is the same, sliding tires.

This point of loss of traction can be calculated, but that math is beyond me. I know it varies with device adjustment, road surface texture, tire condition, speed, etc.

The only anti-sway devices that I am aware of that do not have this issue are the HA and the PP. (I'm still using a friction bar, so I just slow down and loosen the bar)

[perryg114]

I don't think I could get a friction sway bar tight enough to overcome the tractional forces of a trailer going around a curve with a 15 foot lever arm. On ice or snow maybe or a full on hydroplane then maybe. I am very aware of standing water on the road as compared to just a wet road. You never try to change directions when on ice or while hydroplaning or use the brakes (accept trailer brakes).

Perry

[MarkR]

well all i can say is, it's a good thing airstreams don't leak! ;-)

(somebody had to say it)