Trailer Sway (Is it A Problem?)

[HagermanSpyder]

While driving our car west towards Boise, ID, I-84, we were passed by a two-up Goldwing motorcycle towing a small enclosed cargo trailer. We were driving at about 75mph. The cargo trailer was swaying from side to side. Not a great amount of sway but made me think it did not look right. Tires/wheels looked like small bicycle wheels with spokes. It was a windy day and that could have added to this swaying action. Questions - Is this something the motorcycle driver/passenger will feel? Is this a normal condition when towing a trailer with a motorcycle/Spyder? Does the road surface (maybe not smooth) cause the trailer sway or was it mainly the windy day? We have a 2016 Can Am Spyder RT-S SE6 and may consider a trailer at some point.

[K80Shooter]

I can't answer as to why the trailer that you saw on the Goldwing was swaying but,

I can say that my RT-622 while being towed by my 2020 RTL does not sway. It tracks as true as the Spyder does. The wind does not seem to affect it. I do have the BaJa Ron sway bar on my Spyder.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Interesting ..... I have an extremely lightweight trailer ( like 110 lbs empty ) .... and it doesn't sway at all ..... After loading it with 100lbs. it still doesn't sway ..... However I do arrange the weight so that the majority is near the tongue ( ie. front ) .... so this is the best way to keep down the Sway ..... JMHO ... Mike

[bigbadbrucie]

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Interesting ..... I have an extremely lightweight trailer ( like 110 lbs empty ) .... and it doesn't sway at all ..... After loading it with 100lbs. it still doesn't sway ..... However I do arrange the weight so that the majority is near the tongue ( ie. front ) .... so this is the best way to keep down the Sway ..... JMHO ... Mike

You’re right on the money when you refer to the packing. You must have more weight on the tongue, or you will probably experience the sway. The length of the tongue also plays into the equation, as does the height of the hitch on the bike versus the height of the hitch on the trailer....they must be close to equal. just my $0.02 worth.

[canamjhb]

I can't answer as to why the trailer that you saw on the Goldwing was swaying but,

I can say that my RT-622 while being towed by my 2020 RTL does not sway. It tracks as true as the Spyder does. The wind does not seem to affect it. I do have the BaJa Ron sway bar on my Spyder.

This was my experience also. No sway at all. The most important thing when pulling a proper MC cargo trailer is to have it loaded correctly so that the tongue weight is what it should be. I bought a fish weight scale and used that to make sure my load was properly balanced.

There are so many things that could contribute to that trailer swaying to pin down exactly why. Rest assured, if you do decide to pull a trailer, it is not normal for it to have any detectable sway. More likely, you will be checking your mirrors to make sure it is still there because you don't notice anything..... Jim

[EdMat]

A lightly loaded trailer may sometimes appear to sway but it could just be reacting to small irregularities in the road, especially if its just an inch or two. Any more than that, you have problems. You can't feel it and many times won't notice it in the mirrors but someone following you can detect it.

[redrazor]

Interesting ..... I have an extremely lightweight trailer ( like 110 lbs empty ) .... and it doesn't sway at all ..... After loading it with 100lbs. it still doesn't sway ..... However I do arrange the weight so that the majority is near the tongue ( ie. front ) .... so this is the best way to keep down the Sway ..... JMHO ... Mike

Not enough tongue weight is a problem that makes all trailers (big or small) wiggle down the road. do what Mike said and put more weight on the tongue.

[UtahPete]

There have been no reported issues with pulling a trailer with a Spyder that I can recall. I've pulled RT-622, Lees-Ure Lite, Pet trailer, HF Tag-a-long all with no issues whatsoever (other than excessive vibration at the tongue from being mounted on the axle rather than the frame)

[bigbadbrucie]

Not enough tongue weight is a problem that makes all trailers (big or small) wiggle down the road. do what Mike said and put more weight on the tongue.

If memory serves me correctly, I seem to recall a 2/3 - 1/3 ratio being the rule of thumb with the most weight being on the tongue and keeping in mind both the total weight limit and the tongue weight limit for the bike and the trailer.

[Isopedella]

Yes it could possibly be a problem..... Specially when it drags your rear wheel sideways......this way....no that way....Ye Ha! Usually caused by a grossly overloaded trailer, and or a draw bar that is too short for its application, or poorly loaded trailer with too little or too much weight on the draw bar.

[pieman9155]

we have 2 trailers - 1 camper and 1 cargo; no problem here.

[davev1pa]

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...tail&FORM=VIRE

[MSgtR]

"we were passed by a two-up Goldwing motorcycle towing a small enclosed cargo trailer. We were driving at about 75mph"'

Okay, THAT'S scary!!

[campermac]

Typically trailer sway is caused by an improperly loaded trailer that has too much weight behind the axle. Or they loaded it correctly and the load shifted from hitting bumps while traveling down the road.