What RV Owners Need to Know

Trailer length is one of the first things RV owners worry about when it comes to stability. You’ll often hear statements like, “That trailer is just too long for that truck,” or “Longer trailers are always more dangerous to tow.”

But how much truth is there to that idea?

In this article, we’ll explain how trailer length actually affects sway, why longer trailers can feel more unstable, and — most importantly — what truly determines whether a trailer will sway or not.

Why Longer Trailers Get a Bad Reputation

Longer trailers naturally have:

• More side surface area
• More exposure to wind
• Greater distance from the hitch ball to the rear of the trailer

Because of this, they experience stronger lateral forces from:

• Crosswinds
• Passing trucks
• Turbulence and road crown

This leads many people to assume that trailer length alone causes sway. In reality, length only amplifies existing instability — it doesn’t create it.

The Key Factor Isn’t Length — It’s Leverage

Trailer sway occurs when lateral forces create leverage around the trailer’s pivot point.

With conventional towing setups:

• The trailer pivots at the hitch ball
• The hitch ball sits behind the tow vehicle’s rear axle
• Forces applied to the trailer act through a long lever arm

As trailer length increases, that lever arm becomes more effective — meaning any instability is magnified.

So yes, longer trailers can sway more aggressively — but not because of length alone.

👉 They sway because the pivot point allows leverage to build.

Why Proper Weight Alone Doesn’t Solve the Problem

Many RV owners try to compensate for trailer length by:

• Increasing tongue weight
• Upgrading spring bars
• Buying a heavier tow vehicle

While these steps can improve handling, they don’t eliminate sway risk.

Even with:

• Correct tongue weight
• Proper weight distribution
• A powerful tow vehicle

A long trailer can still sway because the pivot geometry hasn’t changed.

Weight improves balance — not motion control.

Long Trailers vs. Short Trailers: What’s the Real Difference?

Short trailers:

• Have less surface area
• Experience smaller wind loads
• Generate less leverage

Long trailers:

• Catch more wind
• Experience stronger lateral forces
• Amplify any pivot-related instability

The difference is not whether sway is possible — it’s how quickly and how aggressively it can develop.

That’s why sway feels more dramatic on longer rigs, even when everything appears to be set up correctly.

Why Slowing Down Isn’t a Real Solution

Many long-trailer owners feel forced to:

• Drive well below traffic speed
• Avoid windy routes
• White-knuckle through open areas

While reducing speed can lower sway risk, it also:

• Increases driver fatigue
• Limits travel flexibility
• Makes towing stressful instead of enjoyable

A safe towing setup should allow confident travel — not constant compromise.

How to Actually Reduce Sway Risk on Long Trailers

The most effective way to reduce sway risk — regardless of trailer length — is to eliminate the leverage that causes sway.

That means controlling where the trailer pivots.

Pivot Point Projection™: Why Length Becomes Less Relevant

Advanced trailer sway control systems like the ProPride 3P® Hitch use patented Pivot Point Projection™ technology to change the towing geometry entirely.

Instead of allowing the trailer to pivot freely at the hitch ball:

• The coupler is locked to the hitch head
• Converging links project the pivot point forward
• The effective pivot point moves near the tow vehicle’s rear axle

What This Means for Long Trailers

• Lateral forces no longer create sway leverage
• Wind and passing trucks lose their influence
• Trailer length becomes far less critical to stability
• Sway cannot begin — regardless of trailer size

This is why many owners successfully tow longer trailers with confidence once pivot point control is implemented.

Real-World Experience From Long-Trailer Owners

RV owners who upgrade to true pivot point control often report:

• Stable towing with 30–40 ft trailers
• No reaction to crosswinds
• Reduced steering correction
• Longer, less tiring travel days

Instead of fighting the trailer, the driver simply steers the truck — and the trailer follows.

So, Does Trailer Length Increase Sway Risk?

Yes — but only if the hitch allows it.

Trailer length amplifies leverage, but leverage only exists when:

• The trailer pivots behind the rear axle
• Lateral forces can act freely
• Sway is allowed to start

Eliminate the leverage, and trailer length becomes a manageable factor — not a deal breaker.

Final Takeaway

Longer trailers don’t sway because they’re long — they sway because of how they’re connected to the tow vehicle.

If your towing setup allows the trailer to pivot freely, length will magnify instability. But with true pivot point control, even large trailers can tow smoothly, confidently, and safely.

The key isn’t driving slower or buying a bigger truck — it’s eliminating sway at its source.

When leverage disappears, confidence returns — no matter how long the trailer is.