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Old 06-23-2013, 07:23 PM   #1
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1967 26' Overlander
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trailer walking

I have a 97 28ft. widebody that seems to want to walk when being towed, does anyone know what might be causing this. Thanks Paula
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Old 06-23-2013, 07:35 PM   #2
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What do you mean by "walk"? Do you mean sway? Is it crabbing?
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Old 06-23-2013, 07:57 PM   #3
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If you mean the trailer doesn't want to stay straight behind you it could be "sway" where stern moves back and forth.

Improper loads in AS moving weight too far aft will lighten tongue. This is dangerous.

If happening with wind gusts and trailer properly loaded and proper tongue weight, etc, a friction sway control will probably help. It does for my 34'.
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Old 06-23-2013, 08:01 PM   #4
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What is the condition of your tires/bearings/shocks/axles? Bad tires/bearings can cause the trailer to be unruly.
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Old 06-23-2013, 10:22 PM   #5
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Has it ever been aligned?
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Old 06-23-2013, 11:20 PM   #6
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Any trailer will appear to walk sideways on slanted roads. A trailer that has been repaired incorrectly may not be square; e.g:

* Trailer tongue on centerline of trailer.
* Distances from center of front hubs to center of trailer ball should match.
* Distances from center of rear hubs to center of trailer ball should match.


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Old 06-24-2013, 07:22 AM   #7
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Somewhere here on the forum I someone posted a relatively simple procedure for checking the alignment of the axles. Probably need 2 people and a long tape measure but that would be my best guess as a starting point. If you've had it awhile and it's been a persistent problem maybe checking your tire tread wear might give you some insight also. Good luck with it.
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Old 06-24-2013, 08:07 PM   #8
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CWF, I was wondering if Friction Sway Control are the same as sway bar or is that something different? The trailer has just started doing this and tires are good and wheelbearing were packed last month. I am having tv looked at tomorrow, 2005 toyota tundra. Thanks for all the help, hope to get this solved soon. Paula
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Old 06-24-2013, 10:39 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by paula grant View Post
CWF, I was wondering if Friction Sway Control are the same as sway bar or is that something different? The trailer has just started doing this and tires are good and wheelbearing were packed last month. I am having tv looked at tomorrow, 2005 toyota tundra. Thanks for all the help, hope to get this solved soon. Paula
Howdy Miss Paula,
Friction sway control is one like this on ours


Click image for larger version

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It is the part labeled EAZ- lift ...it attaches between the hitch and trailer tongue. Crank the handle to increase friction or reduce. Pretty simple.
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Old 07-03-2013, 11:34 PM   #10
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Any update?
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Old 07-04-2013, 12:14 AM   #11
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Paula, Paula here...

I'm In Virginia, so I guess that makes me "east coast Paula"

At any rate - I didn't have any tracking problems with my rig before the accident, but boy I wouldn't have towed it any farther than to a reliable repair facility with that kind of problem. There are a dozen things that could cause this problem and you'll have to go after them one at a time until you've verified everything in your setup is right.

If this just popped up after your hubs were greased... well I'd say start there. It may be coincidental, but if the work was done wrong, you could have grease all over one or two brakes... or someone might have accidentally shorted out the wiring and you could have a brake dragging. Get a friend and go to a parking lot - if a brake is dragging it can be heard by someone standing beside the trailer... check in the direction of the drag first.

Do you notice more dragging on left vs. right ... or vice versa? Check tire inflation on both the tow vehicle and trailer - I once saw a friend who had her left side tires inflated 10 lbs less than the right side. Walked like a big crab. Next inspect the tires for tread and sidewall damage. That includes crawling UNDER the truck and trailer and looking at the inside sidewalls. If you've hit a big pothole you could also have one or more rims bent.
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Old 07-04-2013, 03:38 AM   #12
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Check the wheel bearings for proper tightness.
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Old 07-04-2013, 04:41 AM   #13
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All these posts are meaningless without the OP saying what she meant by "walking".
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Old 07-04-2013, 06:40 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by paula grant View Post
I have a 97 28ft. widebody that seems to want to walk when being towed, does anyone know what might be causing this. Thanks Paula
Which is it?
Sway = trailer movement left to right to left to right while moving (a cargo weight distribution issue or external force issue or a combination of both)
or
Side Walking = trailer does not align with the tow vehicle while being towed in a straight line (a wheel/axle alignment issue)
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Old 07-09-2013, 02:03 PM   #15
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Trailer Walking

Sorry I haven't gotten back with what has been going on with trailer, been on vacation. I had a friend hook trailer up to her suburban and we pulled it down the highway for abour 20 miles and trailer was fine, no swaying from side to side. My tv went to shop and am having everything looked at, they seem to think it might be shocks. Had tires rotated and balanced and hope to get the problem fixed. When I said trailer was walking I meant swaying side to side. Everyone was really helpful and I am glad to have the forum to go to for help. Thanks everyone will get back to you when I get tv back. Paula
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Old 07-09-2013, 02:11 PM   #16
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I missed what TV you have, but I just replaced the shocks on my 2007 Tahoe with autoride and the ride is much improved. I actually just replaced front not rear, but now I think I need to do the rear also as I'm not that happy with the ride yet.
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Old 07-11-2013, 05:47 PM   #17
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trailer walking

Our tv is a 2005 toyota tundra, We had new shocks put on front and back, relined the front end hope everything is fixed. We plan on taking trailer for test drive this weekend. Need to get everything fixed before the Vintage Rally. Will let you know what happens this weekend.
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Old 07-11-2013, 08:37 PM   #18
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If you do not have enough tongue weight, the trailer will have more of a tendency to sway. Tongue weight loaded should be at least 10% but not more than 15% of the trailer's gross weight.

Truck or trailer tires that are not inflated properly can contribute to sway.

Tires that are not rated for the loads can contribute to sway, especially the rear tires on the tow vehicle.
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