Smoothest Trailer to tow

[Springer2]

We may get a small/medium sized travel trailer (Under 8K loaded). What models pull pretty smooth up to 65-70 MPH without fishtailing? I am looking for something drama free on the road. Thanks.

 

[Rosy]

All trailers are going to be very similar. There will be two key considerations.

1. Making sure you have enough truck to tow it. Not just in terms of towing capacity but also payload, which is going to be your limiting factor.

2. Making sure the trailer is loaded properly with the tongue weight at 10-15% of the total trailer weight.

A good weight distributing hitch with sway control will also help. Get a reputable hitch shop to set it up properly for you when your truck and trailer are loaded up as if for a camping trip. Don't trust an RV dealer to set it up for you.

 

[Springer2]

All trailers are going to be very similar....

They are not

 

[Golfish]

Dual axle is netter than single

 

[RobertE]

RV trailers are designed to pull safely as long as the tow vehicle is matched to the trailer and the weight distribution is correct.

That said, generally a dual axle trailer will be more stable, especially in a cross wind because it tracks better.

There are anti sway hitches which work well, but are expensive (I’m not talking about weight distribution hitches).

 

[Holdmybeer]

An Airsteam Flying Cloud may pull smoothly behind an F-250, not so smoothly behind an F-150. So it's relative, don't get your trailer out front of your horse. ie., what is your tow vehicle?

 

[redbaron]

They are not

Don’t come here and start arguments. You asked for advice and got solid advice that you immediately argued with.

Fact is all trailers have the same potential for perfect toe as they do for disastrous tow.

How you load the trailer and balance the weight is 80% of the determining factor. That’s on you, not the trailer.

The tow vehicle plays into the equation, as a proper tow vehicle can make up for a poor loading weight distribution to a certain point.

You can never have too much of a tow vehicle capability and you can easily have too much trailer for a tow vehicle.

 

[Rosy]

Don’t come here and start arguments. You asked for advice and got solid advice that you immediately argued with.

Fact is all trailers have the same potential for perfect toe as they do for disastrous tow.

How you load the trailer and balance the weight is 80% of the determining factor. That’s on you, not the trailer.

The tow vehicle plays into the equation, as a proper tow vehicle can make up for a poor loading weight distribution to a certain point.

You can never have too much of a tow vehicle capability and you can easily have too much trailer for a tow vehicle.

Thanks for putting it more eloquently than I could have.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

As stated above! Proper tongue weight is key to a trailer that sways the least. I have not used sway control bars in years. Equalizer hitch I use.

Sticking with manufactured geometry is a nessesity. No additional baggage on the back of the trailer.

Upgraded weight capacity of the tires play a bigger part in the stiffness, even more than any other hitch accessories.

Side wind if consistent will not factor into stability, Gusting winds can. Best human response is to stay off the road in unfavorable weather.

Bread loaf design trailers handle side wind best, and offer least frontal area. That said, also offer a more claustrophobic environment.

No one can answer for your preferences.

 

[turbopilot]

All trailers are going to be very similar. There will be two key considerations.

1. Making sure you have enough truck to tow it. Not just in terms of towing capacity but also payload, which is going to be your limiting factor.

2. Making sure the trailer is loaded properly with the tongue weight at 10-15% of the total trailer weight.

A good weight distributing hitch with sway control will also help. Get a reputable hitch shop to set it up properly for you when your truck and trailer are loaded up as if for a camping trip. Don't trust an RV dealer to set it up for you.

You left out one critical design criteria that results in a stable tow: aerodynamics. A high profile, slab sided trailer is inherently more unstable than an aerodynamic, low profile trailer. A slab sided trailer presents a lifting force to the relative wind. The dramatic videos of lightly loaded semi trucks in a strong winds makes the case.