Trailer snaking accident

[Big Beech]

Never touch the breaks as stated always light acceleration then slow the rig back down when in a stable tow. But I guess unfortunately you know this now.

Cars can be replaced, glad you came away relatively unscathed

[Justme]

Buy a Volvo seems they have sorted the issue electronically

 

 

If I had a OEM trailer kit then my Astra has a second stability program to account for the trailer too.

[monkeybusiness]

Apparently the new Discovery has some sort of trailer stability software too.

 

IME, if you are towing anything at all heavy you need a decent trailer (serviceable tyres and brakes that work correctly etc) with 50-100kg nose weight (definitely not negative nose weight) with a level or slightly high hitch (ie imposing weight on the tow vehicle's rear axle, not trying to lift it). If the trailer is heavier than the tow vehicle it is absolutely imperative that these basic rules are followed, and speed is kept low. Other than my incident recounted in the earlier post I have experienced serious snaking 3 times in 20 plus years of towing large and heavy trailers (I know it's 3 as each one was terrifying and not quickly forgotten). After each event I realised that all 3 were down to poorly distributed loads on relatively light weight tow vehicles.

[dreish]

Some good advice has already been given, one thing that struck me as I read about your unfortunate incident was that you have only recently bought both the hi-lux and trailer .

 

This would flag up concerns as others have already mentioned regarding drawbar height in relation to optimum towing level for the trailer. That coupled with the load on the trailer.

 

There is another possibility that may not have helped ,the tyres on the hilux. Certain brands do not have particularly strong side walls and can flex if there is sideways movement exaggerating any swaying and making it a lot worse very quickly.

Glad your both relatively unscathed.

[Justme]

or slightly high hitch

 

No No No,

 

level or slightly nose DOWN (not because the ball is pulling the trailer down but due to good design, matching trailer & tow vehicle & suitable nose weight)

 

Nose up leads to trailers dancing behind the vehicle.

 

The worse ones are the small trailers behind vans & pickup. They bounce side to side hopping from one wheel to the other.

[gensetsteve]

There are loads of reasons for trailer snaking. After towing for nearly 30 years if I am not happy with the outfit at 30 mph then it's not going to get better and needs sorting. Most loads can be repositioned on the side of the road with the help of a 5 tonne ratchet strap. I don't think I would ever try accelerating out of a snake and tend to hold tight to the steering and let off the throttle and let the speed fall away.

[Matthew Storrs]

There are loads of reasons for trailer snaking. After towing for nearly 30 years if I am not happy with the outfit at 30 mph then it's not going to get better and needs sorting. Most loads can be repositioned on the side of the road with the help of a 5 tonne ratchet strap. I don't think I would ever try accelerating out of a snake and tend to hold tight to the steering and let off the throttle and let the speed fall away.

 

This is generally my approach too. I,m pretty cautious towing heavy trailers, I rarely go much over 40mph towing the full 3.5t, that way should a snake start to appear it can easily be rectified, fortunately I have never had an accident or even much more than a wobble of a snake, as i'm mostly towing diggers i know exactly the best placement on the trailer to reduce snaking, although with the 3 tonner even 10cm to far or behind can make a big differance. I,d also prefer a short trailer with caged sides to increase capacity of logs etc then have a longer trailer, rarely get a wobble form a 10ft trailer IMO.

[richy_B]

This is generally my approach too. I,m pretty cautious towing heavy trailers, I rarely go much over 40mph towing the full 3.5t, that way should a snake start to appear it can easily be rectified, fortunately I have never had an accident or even much more than a wobble of a snake, as i'm mostly towing diggers i know exactly the best placement on the trailer to reduce snaking, although with the 3 tonner even 10cm to far or behind can make a big differance. I,d also prefer a short trailer with caged sides to increase capacity of logs etc then have a longer trailer, rarely get a wobble form a 10ft trailer IMO.

 

I agree. I've never experience snaking on plant trailers. Our accident was a lm166. On a 16ft + trailer it does make getting load dead centre harder as there is so much room.

[County 764]

I've had a trailer snaking once with a hylux and 2 axel trailer. Traveling at about 50mph tried to pull out of it, fight it but eventually managed to slow down and get it under control. Not fun but the fact it was on a dual carriageway and there wasn't any cars near by saved it. Was expecting the car to flip

[mowingjamie]

has anyone had a trailer snake badly with a transit tipper eg a truck with duel rear wheels, or a 7.5t? is it just single rear wheel vehicles that are causing the problem?