What Every RV Owner Should Know

Many RV owners believe trailer sway is only a high-speed problem. The common assumption is that as long as you’re driving slowly — through a campground, down a mountain pass, or in city traffic — sway isn’t something to worry about.

Unfortunately, that belief can be dangerous.

In this article, we’ll explain why trailer sway can be dangerous even at low speeds, when it’s most likely to happen, and what actually prevents it — not just masks it.

The Myth: “Sway Only Happens at Highway Speeds”

It’s true that sway is easier to notice at higher speeds, but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen — or can’t be dangerous — at lower speeds.

In reality:

• Trailer sway can begin at moderate or even low speeds
• Sway can start gradually and go unnoticed
• Sway can become dangerous when combined with braking or steering

The danger isn’t speed alone — it’s loss of control.

How Trailer Sway Starts at Low Speeds

Trailer sway doesn’t require extreme velocity. It requires lateral force and leverage.

At low speeds, sway can be triggered by:

• Crosswinds in open areas
• Passing trucks on two-lane roads
• Sudden steering inputs
• Braking while turning
• Uneven pavement or road crown

Once the trailer begins pushing sideways, the tow vehicle reacts — and that reaction can amplify the motion.

Why Low-Speed Sway Can Be More Dangerous Than High-Speed Sway

Low-speed sway often catches drivers off guard because:

• It feels subtle at first
• There’s less aerodynamic damping
• Drivers are more likely to steer aggressively

At highway speeds, drivers tend to hold steady and make small corrections. At lower speeds, abrupt steering and braking inputs are more common — and those inputs can worsen sway.

This is especially risky in:

• Mountain passes
• Descents and curves
• Construction zones
• Campground entrances

Braking + Sway: A Dangerous Combination

One of the most dangerous low-speed scenarios occurs when sway and braking happen together.

During braking:

• Weight shifts forward
• Trailer brakes may not engage evenly
• Lateral forces increase

If sway begins while braking, the trailer can:

• Push the rear of the tow vehicle sideways
• Reduce steering authority
• Increase the risk of jackknifing

This is why many sway-related incidents happen during deceleration, not acceleration.

Why Weight Distribution Alone Doesn’t Prevent Low-Speed Sway

Weight distribution hitches help balance vertical loads, but they do not prevent lateral motion.

Even at low speeds:

• The trailer still pivots on the hitch ball
• Lateral forces still create leverage
• Sway can still begin

Friction-based sway controls may reduce motion, but:

• Friction is inconsistent
• Effectiveness varies with conditions
• Strong forces can overpower resistance

Low-speed conditions do not make friction systems more reliable — in many cases, they expose their limitations.

The Real Issue: Pivot Point Geometry

The true reason sway can occur at any speed is simple:

👉 The trailer is allowed to pivot behind the rear axle.

As long as that geometry exists:

• Lateral forces can act
• Leverage can develop
• Sway is possible

Speed influences severity — not possibility.

How to Prevent Sway at All Speeds

The only way to eliminate sway at both low and high speeds is to prevent it from starting.

That requires controlling where the trailer pivots.

Pivot Point Projection™: Sway Prevention, Not Reaction

Advanced sway control systems like the ProPride 3P® Hitch use patented Pivot Point Projection™ technology to eliminate sway at its source.

Instead of allowing the trailer to pivot freely at the 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 at Low Speeds

• Lateral forces cannot initiate sway
• Braking and steering remain predictable
• The trailer follows the tow vehicle’s path
• Control is maintained in tight or slow situations

This design works consistently — whether you’re cruising at highway speed or maneuvering through a campground.

Why Consistent Control Matters

Sway doesn’t announce itself. It doesn’t care whether you’re going fast or slow.

A towing setup should:

• Protect you in unexpected situations
• Perform consistently in all conditions
• Reduce driver workload, not increase it

True sway elimination gives you confidence at every speed, not just on the highway.

Final Takeaway

Yes — trailer sway is dangerous at low speeds.

It may feel less dramatic than high-speed sway, but it can:

• Reduce control
• Complicate braking
• Lead to sudden instability

The solution isn’t just slowing down or adding friction — it’s eliminating the leverage that allows sway to exist.

When the trailer’s pivot point is properly controlled, sway cannot start — regardless of speed.

That’s what transforms towing from reactive to confident — on the highway, on back roads, and everywhere in between.