What actions should you take if your trailer whips or swerves?

When a trailer begins to whip or swerve, the safest and most effective action to take is to slow down and stop safely. Slowing down allows you to regain stability and control over the vehicle and trailer combination. When the vehicle’s speed decreases, the forces acting on the trailer are also reduced, which can help to correct the swaying motion.

Stopping safely is crucial because maintaining a steady and controlled speed can prevent exacerbating the swerving. Rapid changes in speed, such as speeding up, can lead to increased instability and make the situation worse. Similarly, steering sharply can complicate the dynamics of the trailer, potentially leading to a loss of control.

Acknowledging the need to stop and regain control rather than ignoring the situation is essential to ensuring your safety and preventing accidents on the road.