Share Pics of People Hauling or Towing Something Wrong

[ning]

On the accelerate or trailer brake in an unstable towing situation debate, my hope would be they would trailer brake. Otherwise, they'd just be going faster with an unstable configuration.

The acceleration to help damped the trailer oscillation is the best of poor options and probably would only help when the immediate cause of the trailer wagging, such as a sudden gust of wind on the trailer from exiting a road cut in a strong crosswind, won't happen again. Thing is, most likely yes it will happen again, and yes then they'll be going even faster....

I suppose someone could design a sensor to detect the situation that would automatically apply trailer brakes. Probably already exists?

 

[ptsg]

The acceleration to help damped the trailer oscillation is the best of poor options and probably would only help when the immediate cause of the trailer wagging, such as a sudden gust of wind on the trailer from exiting a road cut in a strong crosswind, won't happen again. Thing is, most likely yes it will happen again, and yes then they'll be going even faster....

I suppose someone could design a sensor to detect the situation that would automatically apply trailer brakes. Probably already exists?

I know that at least Mitsubishi has been offering a similar feature on their L200 trucks since the 2016+ models. It's called Trailer Stability Assist (TSA). It won't apply the brakes for you but will control the trailer sway.

I'm sure other manufacturers have a similar feature.

 

[ning]

I know that at least Mitsubishi has been offering a similar feature on their L200 trucks since the 2016+ models. It's called Trailer Stability Assist (TSA). It won't apply the brakes for you but will control the trailer sway.

I'm sure other manufacturers have a similar feature.

View attachment 811183

I suppose something that senses that you're going above some low-ish speed and the trailer coupler is at a significant angle would be a good indication that something is amiss, like you don't expect more than a few degrees above like 20mph, so if you're seeing 10-15° trailer brakes could get hit; this is something that could easily be set up on the trailer itself with a couple lines going from the trailer to the tow vehicle that could be used to determine a rough angle, and tie it into the trailer brake circuit (electric braking assumed, of course; with surge brakes something could still be done but it might be able to pull on the breakaway cable attachment point, not sure how to override this for low velocity though).

 

[ptsg]

I suppose something that senses that you're going above some low-ish speed and the trailer coupler is at a significant angle would be a good indication that something is amiss, like you don't expect more than a few degrees above like 20mph, so if you're seeing 10-15° trailer brakes could get hit; this is something that could easily be set up on the trailer itself with a couple lines going from the trailer to the tow vehicle that could be used to determine a rough angle, and tie it into the trailer brake circuit (electric braking assumed, of course; with surge brakes something could still be done but it might be able to pull on the breakaway cable attachment point, not sure how to override this for low velocity though).

I think AL-KO has exactly what you describe. Even works with surge brakes since that's the most common here. We also have electric but it's very expensive and less common.

"How the AL-KO Trailer Control works
There are situations which any driver dreads: Even minor avoidance maneuvers, gusty winds or wind pressure when overtaking trucks or buses can soon cause the caravan to start snaking. In the worst case scenario, the caravan starts to snake and causes an accident. AL-KO offers an anti-snaking system with the ATC, which – similarly to ESP in cars –registers swaying movements on the caravan axle using a lateral acceleration sensor. A tolerance range for permissible lateral movements is stored in the system. If this is exceeded, the system intervenes, before the caravan is able to snake. The Bowden cables tighten causing the wheel brakes to be applied. The vehicle combination is stabilized and is guided back into the lane. The AL-KO Trailer Control brakes gently, but can be noticed by the driver. The brake lights do not otherwise light up."

ATC – AL-KO Trailer Control | AL-KO-Tech | Alko-Tech

More safety for caravans with ATC: The driving safety system reacts more quickly and effectively than stabilisation systems in the towing vehicle.

www.alko-tech.com

Another simpler solution available here is the friction couplers. There is basically some friction elements inside the coupler that apply lots of friction on the ball to prevent trailer sway.

 

[duramaxsky]

I know that at least Mitsubishi has been offering a similar feature on their L200 trucks since the 2016+ models. It's called Trailer Stability Assist (TSA). It won't apply the brakes for you but will control the trailer sway.

I'm sure other manufacturers have a similar feature.

View attachment 811183

My 2020 Silverado 1500 has something like that. It dose apply the trailer bakes as well as the stability control system. I don't plan to find out if it works.

 

[dodge man]

My wife swerved very sharply one time to avoid a cat. The problem was we were going 70mph down the 4 lane. The car came completely unglued. It started swaying and the oscillations started getting bigger. The computer took over and you could hear the anti lock brakes firing on one tire then switching to another as needed and the car settled down. I suspect that is what happens with the sway control on a modern pickup. BTW, I’ve been married 32 years and it’s the only time I’ve yelled and cussed at my wife.

 

[Eagle1]

BTW, I’ve been married 32 years and it’s the only time I’ve yelled and cussed at my wife.

Better man than me..... been at it 35 years and my wife can still drive me bonkers and I'll have to take a long walk in the woods to chill.

 

[duramaxsky]

My wife swerved very sharply one time to avoid a cat. The problem was we were going 70mph down the 4 lane. The car came completely unglued. It started swaying and the oscillations started getting bigger. The computer took over and you could hear the anti lock brakes firing on one tire then switching to another as needed and the car settled down. I suspect that is what happens with the sway control on a modern pickup. BTW, I’ve been married 32 years and it’s the only time I’ve yelled and cussed at my wife.

Yeah that stuff is amazing. On my Vette you can turn it off unlike most cars. Just hold the traction control button down until the 3rd phase. I did that once and did some spirited driving. I won't be doing that again. With that power to weigh ratio things get out of control fast.

 

[goeduck]

My wife swerved very sharply one time to avoid a cat. The problem was we were going 70mph down the 4 lane. The car came completely unglued. It started swaying and the oscillations started getting bigger. The computer took over and you could hear the anti lock brakes firing on one tire then switching to another as needed and the car settled down. I suspect that is what happens with the sway control on a modern pickup. BTW, I’ve been married 32 years and it’s the only time I’ve yelled and cussed at my wife.

I'm glad the vehicle corrected itself. Next time I hope she does not choose avoiding the cat. My wife fusses when I stay straight when something small runs onto the road. Interestingly they seem to be able to avoid being hit in my case nearly 100% of the time.

 

[two_bit_score]

It is amazing how they can do that goeduck!

 

[Jstpssng]

Yeah that stuff is amazing. On my Vette you can turn it off unlike most cars. Just hold the traction control button down until the 3rd phase. I did that once and did some spirited driving. I won't be doing that again. With that power to weigh ratio things get out of control fast.

You can do that on the GM trucks I drive also, but it turns the stabiltrak back on when you hit 30 mph. My Colorado has the G-80 "locking" differential, but it's useless until you take 30 seconds to bypass the computer.

I'm glad the vehicle corrected itself. Next time I hope she does not choose avoiding the cat. My wife fusses when I stay straight when something small runs onto the road. Interestingly they seem to be able to avoid being hit in my case nearly 100% of the time.

Conversely, no matter how many times you swerve to avoid a squirrel he will dodge into your tires every time.

 

[duramaxsky]

You can do that on the GM trucks I drive also, but it turns the stabiltrak back on when you hit 30 mph. My Colorado has the G-80 "locking" differential, but it's useless until you take 30 seconds to bypass the computer.

Conversely, no matter how many times you swerve to avoid a squirrel he will dodge into your tires every time.

On my C6 Corvette once it's in that mode everything is off until either the next restart or you turn it on. The only thing you can't turn off is ABS due to Federal law. But there are tuners who can fix that. The first push and release of the button is no traction controll. The second push and release is competition mode which is no traction control and softening of the Stabilitrack. But if you hold instead of release on the second push it says traction control and Stabilitrack off. And the damn thing becomes a squrill. When the G80 hits it just goes sideways no matter how fast you are going. I've been a truck driver for over 40 years. I've owned performance cars since I was 16. It's the first one that did something that actually scared me on it's own. At over 90 when it hit 3rd gear it went to the right side rapidly and I was afraid I was going to roll it. And it's a convertible. I've never turned everything off since. The competition mode is fun. It will still get a little crazy but will only go so far. Traction control off will let you spin the tires and do a smoke show but it keeps the car straight. Competition mode uses a mild traction control mode so you can still slide it a little.

 

[Jstpssng]

On my C6 Corvette once it's in that mode everything is off until either the next restart or you turn it on. The only thing you can't turn off is ABS due to Federal law. But there are tuners who can fix that. The first push and release of the button is no traction controll. The second push and release is competition mode which is no traction control and softening of the Stabilitrack. But if you hold instead of release on the second push it says traction control and Stabilitrack off. And the damn thing becomes a squrill. When the G80 hits it just goes sideways no matter how fast you are going. I've been a truck driver for over 40 years. I've owned performance cars since I was 16. It's the first one that did something that actually scared me on its own. At over 90 when it hit 3rd gear it went to the right side rapidly and I was afraid I was going to roll it. And it's a convertible. I've never turned everything off since. The competition mode is fun. It will still get a little crazy but will only go so far. Traction control off will let you spin the tires and do a smoke show but it keeps the car straight. Competition mode uses a mild traction control mode so you can still slide it a little.

The G80 in my pickup only will engage below 30 mph, to avoid what you describe. As I said before though, the stabiltrak will kick in first.

I disengaged the ABS on my first truck which had it, after doing $300 worth of front damage (2002 prices) when the computer wouldn’t let me stop for a washout on a gravel road. After that the truck stopped much better on snow, especially. One day somebody looked right at me and pulled out when I was about 25 feet away. I’d have taken him right in the door with ABS, but it made me realize that if I’d hit him I would be at fault, because of the disconnected computer braking.

From several comments people have made I suspect that it’s more refined in a car than the brakes in a pickup. I often use the parking brake when running in 4wd if I’m on snow and need to stop before the computer thinks I should.

 

[duramaxsky]

The way the G80 works is mechanical. I don't see how it wouldn't work above 30. The one in my 2003 2500HD will lock at freeway speeds. But it has ABS and no traction control.

 

[dstig1]

The G80 in my pickup only will engage below 30 mph, to avoid what you describe. As I said before though, the stabiltrak will kick in first.

I disengaged the ABS on my first truck which had it, after doing $300 worth of front damage (2002 prices) when the computer wouldn’t let me stop for a washout on a gravel road. After that the truck stopped much better on snow, especially. One day somebody looked right at me and pulled out when I was about 25 feet away. I’d have taken him right in the door with ABS, but it made me realize that if I’d hit him I would be at fault, because of the disconnected computer braking.

From several comments people have made I suspect that it’s more refined in a car than the brakes in a pickup. I often use the parking brake when running in 4wd if I’m on snow and need to stop before the computer thinks I should.

That is the one downside to ABS. You will stop a lot faster in those situations on ice or in snow/gravel if you can lock up the wheels, but the ABS prevents it. Drives me nutz at icy intersections in the winter where you can end up sliding right through at low speed while you can feel the ABS going nutso and the car just keeps going. I kind of wish they would disengage the systems below 5 or 10 mph automatically.

 

[duramaxsky]

That is the one downside to ABS. You will stop a lot faster in those situations on ice or in snow/gravel if you can lock up the wheels, but the ABS prevents it. Drives me nutz at icy intersections in the winter where you can end up sliding right through at low speed while you can feel the ABS going nutso and the car just keeps going. I kind of wish they would disengage the systems below 5 or 10 mph automatically.

Release the quickly reapply the brakes and the ABS won't work. I have to do it all the time in semis. That stuff is dangerous on big trucks. Unfortunately the trailer brakes don't normally Release quickly enough but at least I have full tractor brakes. It works on cars and pickups too.

 

[groundcover]

Release the quickly reapply the brakes and the ABS won't work. I have to do it all the time in semis. That stuff is dangerous on big trucks. Unfortunately the trailer brakes don't normally Release quickly enough but at least I have full tractor brakes. It works on cars and pickups too.

Friend of mine slid through a stop sign with his pickup. He was ranting about ABS saying the heavy jets he flew for a living had it and it worked perfectly on them !

 

[two_bit_score]

Friend of mine slid through a stop sign with his pickup. He was ranting about ABS saying the heavy jets he flew for a living had it and it worked perfectly on them !

Might have hit some gravel?

 

[sklunk]

I know that at least Mitsubishi has been offering a similar feature on their L200 trucks since the 2016+ models. It's called Trailer Stability Assist (TSA). It won't apply the brakes for you but will control the trailer sway.

I'm sure other manufacturers have a similar feature.

View attachment 811183

Yes GM has done that since 2014 if you get the factory-installed brake control on the Silverado or Sierra.
When it detects sway and/or a panic stop, it will actually "pulse" the signal to the trailer brakes as needed. Kind of a "pseudo-ABS" since it can't pulse individual wheel locations; not as good as full ABS but definitely better than just locking up the brakes. Also when you engage Trailer Mode it changes how all the brakes react (along with a bunch of other things to help with trailering).

 

[California]

Yes GM has done that since 2014 if you get the factory-installed brake control on the Silverado or Sierra.
When it detects sway and/or a panic stop, it will actually "pulse" the signal to the trailer brakes as needed. Kind of a "pseudo-ABS" since it can't pulse individual wheel locations; not as good as full ABS but definitely better than just locking up the brakes. Also when you engage Trailer Mode it changes how all the brakes react (along with a bunch of other things to help with trailering).

Hmmm. I wonder if Tesla's Trailer Mode also does this. Anyone know?