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.

 

[Rosy]

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.

Good point. When we were shopping, we only looked at one particular shape of trailer so I kind of glossed over that in my mind.

OP, if towing stability is your only consideration, I'd consider some kind of pop up or tent trailer.

 

[Springer2]

I asked what I thought was a straight forward question, "What models pull pretty smooth up to 65-70 MPH without fishtailing?" Of the responders, only 2, Goldfish and turbopilot, provided a response related to that. I currently have 4 trailers: a 14' enclosed utility, a boat trailer, a 7K open utility, and a 24' 10K enclosed trailer. I have owned others over the years and more on point, back in the 1970s I was a trailer mechanic working primarily on electric brake trailers hauling Owens Cornings fiberglass storage tanks. The low electric brake trailers were used to transport the tanks without the need for permits required on higher trailers.

My reply still stands, I have been around trailers for decades and they do not all pull the same. Any perceived argument did not come from me.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

My question is if you knew, why did you bait?

 

[Springer2]

My question is if you knew, why did you bait?

I don't know which travel trailer owners are pleased with how they pull. That is why I posted so I could consider that when looking for a travel trailer.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

You got more information than you asked for! And that is bad? Most modern TTs have Lippert frames. Take your pick.

If the frame is not Bent, the axles are not damaged,and the toung is geometricly set with the axles. All will pull much the same if the 10 to 15% weight distribution I faithfully followed.

The center of side exposure should be in front of axle center line, I have seen this vary some between different builds, but overall it seems pretty consistent.

My personal experience tells me that single vs tandem makes little difference in handling, torsion is smoother than leaf on tandem trailers. I prefer leaf on single axle.

My experience for your reference, spans from 1978 to present. Pulling and building single to triple axle bumper pull,fifth wheel flatbed, box, mobile home,boat trailers including oversize load boat trailers.

The reason there are commercial scales are because trailer loading is the number one safety issue.

I hope I answered your question sufficiently.