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!