With 13 and 16 Scamps you really should not experience sway. There are two conditions where you might encouter sway with a trailer the size and weight of the Scamps.
Pulling with a tow vehicle that is borderline or under the specs for towing a Scamp
Improper loading. Scamps, especially the 13 are light on the tongue weight and if you're propane tank(s) are empty and/or you have loaded too much weight in the rear of the trailer or carrying cargo, bikes, etc on a rear hitch. This can also include improper setup of the hitch giving the Scamp a nose up attitiude instead of level or slightly nose-down.
While sway is a good topic to be aware of when trailering anything, you should not experience it with Scamps and if you do, then somethings out of whack. Remember, if you ever encounter sway trailering, do not apply the tow vehicle brakes, simply let off the gas and use the manual lever on the brake controller to apply the trailer brakes and it will correct the issue almost immediately.
It is always worth sharing, and it's appreciated. Very important topic to understand and know about if you're going to trailer anything.
While Scamps aren't likely to encounter sway it can still happen and one needs to know how to react and to solve what caused it.
Having lost a truck and trailer (not a Scamp) to trailer sway, do to a strong gust of crosswind. I knew of the corrective step (using the trailer brakes alone) that Greg mentioned, but in the heat of the moment, I completely spaced it. I agree with the importance of discussing this topic.
This is an old thread, but thought I'd relate a recent experience. I have found my 13' to be extremely stable, even in pretty strong crosswinds. I remember a semi going in the opposite direction on a 2-lane road causing enough wind gust to fold in my side mirror. Scamp never budged.
Last week I was driving on the freeway, 65-70 range as I usually do. Something on the road caught my eye and I instinctively swerved just a tiny bit to miss it. Bad idea, of course. For the first time ever, Scamp started swaying quite a lot. It is very unsettling to see in the side mirror the trailer swinging like it does in a turn. It felt like a few more cycles and we'd be off the road or flipped or something. I came off the accelerator slightly and as we slowed a little, the trailer popped back into line.
Having not crashed, it became a good lesson. After just a few years of towing the trailer, I'd maybe gotten a little too comfortable. I have electric brakes and have a mount for the remote within easy reach while driving, but didn't think to use it. It's amazing how fast such situations can develop. I remember from scuba diving and some pilot training the idea that when something happens, you have to be able to respond instinctively. You don't have time to think. I'm working on getting better at that re towing.
I thought my experience might be helpful to others.
Hi Tom, thanks for sharing. I'm thinking about ordering a Scamp from the factory. I have gotten mixed advice on whether sway bars would be helpful or not. Your scenario is exactly why I'm leaning towards the bars. Anyone have experience using them with the 13'? It will definately have electric brakes and controller, so.... do I need them?
I have no experience with sway bars but many others here do and can chime in. I would just again say that wind has never been a problem with my 13'. I set this sway in motion with a reaction maneuver that had I not been towing would have been a nonissue. Recovery would have been faster and less scary if I'd thought to use the remote to apply the trailer brakes. I knew to do so but forgot my "training" as it unfolded.
I do not feel a need to look into sway bars but that's just me.
I've always used sway bars on every trailer I've owned. They are a very inexpensive safety item that I would never do without, even on my lightweight Scamp. There are so many factors to consider as the article points out and you never know what variable may may creep in to affect your day! Scamp recommends them and installs them too.
With 13 and 16 Scamps you really should not experience sway. There are two conditions where you might encouter sway with a trailer the size and weight of the Scamps.
While sway is a good topic to be aware of when trailering anything, you should not experience it with Scamps and if you do, then somethings out of whack. Remember, if you ever encounter sway trailering, do not apply the tow vehicle brakes, simply let off the gas and use the manual lever on the brake controller to apply the trailer brakes and it will correct the issue almost immediately.
Our Trailers:
2015 19 Escape
Buying or Selling Molded FG Trailers:
Fiberglass-RV-4Sale
I just thought it was worth sharing.
It is always worth sharing, and it's appreciated. Very important topic to understand and know about if you're going to trailer anything.
While Scamps aren't likely to encounter sway it can still happen and one needs to know how to react and to solve what caused it.
kudos!
Our Trailers:
2015 19 Escape
Buying or Selling Molded FG Trailers:
Fiberglass-RV-4Sale
Having lost a truck and trailer (not a Scamp) to trailer sway, do to a strong gust of crosswind. I knew of the corrective step (using the trailer brakes alone) that Greg mentioned, but in the heat of the moment, I completely spaced it. I agree with the importance of discussing this topic.
2020 Scamp 19’ Deluxe, 2021 Nissan Frontier Pro4X
This is an old thread, but thought I'd relate a recent experience. I have found my 13' to be extremely stable, even in pretty strong crosswinds. I remember a semi going in the opposite direction on a 2-lane road causing enough wind gust to fold in my side mirror. Scamp never budged.
Last week I was driving on the freeway, 65-70 range as I usually do. Something on the road caught my eye and I instinctively swerved just a tiny bit to miss it. Bad idea, of course. For the first time ever, Scamp started swaying quite a lot. It is very unsettling to see in the side mirror the trailer swinging like it does in a turn. It felt like a few more cycles and we'd be off the road or flipped or something. I came off the accelerator slightly and as we slowed a little, the trailer popped back into line.
Having not crashed, it became a good lesson. After just a few years of towing the trailer, I'd maybe gotten a little too comfortable. I have electric brakes and have a mount for the remote within easy reach while driving, but didn't think to use it. It's amazing how fast such situations can develop. I remember from scuba diving and some pilot training the idea that when something happens, you have to be able to respond instinctively. You don't have time to think. I'm working on getting better at that re towing.
I thought my experience might be helpful to others.
Tom
Hi Tom, thanks for sharing. I'm thinking about ordering a Scamp from the factory. I have gotten mixed advice on whether sway bars would be helpful or not. Your scenario is exactly why I'm leaning towards the bars. Anyone have experience using them with the 13'? It will definately have electric brakes and controller, so.... do I need them?
R
I have no experience with sway bars but many others here do and can chime in. I would just again say that wind has never been a problem with my 13'. I set this sway in motion with a reaction maneuver that had I not been towing would have been a nonissue. Recovery would have been faster and less scary if I'd thought to use the remote to apply the trailer brakes. I knew to do so but forgot my "training" as it unfolded.
I do not feel a need to look into sway bars but that's just me.
I've always used sway bars on every trailer I've owned. They are a very inexpensive safety item that I would never do without, even on my lightweight Scamp. There are so many factors to consider as the article points out and you never know what variable may may creep in to affect your day! Scamp recommends them and installs them too.
Carl