Author: Todd Donaldson

If you have ever pulled a trailer or towed a vehicle, then you have most likely experienced sway. It’s really not a fun feeling when there are large gusts of wind and your trailer starts swaying back and forth. This can make it a bit difficult to keep your vehicle and the trailer in the right lane.

This is a common towing experience that can become a serious issue if you are dealing with a heavier load. Swaying can become quite dangerous for yourself and other vehicles on the road if you don’t handle it correctly. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are more than 50,000 accidents yearly related to towing. There is why sway control is important.

Sway Control Solutions

Fortunately, there are ways to reduce the amount of sway you experience during towing. This includes anti-sway bars and sway control systems that can help make your trailer more stable. This is achieved by making the connection between the trailer and the tow vehicle tighter. That way, it becomes easier to manage your trailer and ensure that it stays in line behind the tow vehicle. This is quite important when you are traveling at high speeds. Sway control systems are designed in a way that enables them to easily integrate with different types of hitches.

Sway Control Increases Road Safety

There is a lot that can go wrong in the absence of sway control. You can lose control of both the vehicle and the trailer and this can result in serious accidents. This also threatens the safety of other drivers on the road. Sway control systems are basically safety designs that any outbacker should have. If you don’t want to end up damaging your trailer or tow vehicle, it’s important to ensure that you have an effective sway control system.

Better Control

A sway control system gives you greater control of your vehicle and trailer. Consequently, it improves productivity by allowing you to concentrate on driving rather than controlling the trailer. When towing, having greater control and less sway means there is a reduced chance of material damage due to accidents and swinging loads.

These are some of the reasons for using sway bars. It’s important to ensure that you drive safely when towing a trailer. Are you having problems with sway? Get in touch with us today and we can help you choose the best sway bar for your trailer and vehicle.

Hayes Towing Electronics Products are Proudly Made in the U.S.A.

RVs are among the most popular types of vehicles to tow behind them. According to RVIA, there are up to 30 million RV enthusiasts countrywide, including RV renters. This number is only increasing as more and more people are looking for ways to enjoy the great outdoors while still having home comforts. With this huge increase in popularity, new RV owners need to learn about towing safety. Here are four towing safety facts that every new RV owner should know.

1. Always Use a Weight-Distributing Hitch When Towing an RV

Most people know the benefits of using a weight-distributing hitch when towing a trailer. However, many people don’t realize that the same is true for towing an RV. A weight-distributing hitch helps to distribute the weight of the RV and trailer more evenly, which makes for a safer and more stable tow.

2. Never Exceed the Towing Capacity of Your Vehicle

This is one of the most important towing safety facts. When you exceed the towing capacity of your vehicle, you put yourself and others at risk. The manufacturer determines the vehicle’s towing capacity and it can be found in your owner’s manual. Keep in mind that the towing capacity includes the weight of the RV, any passengers, and all your gear.

3. Always Use Proper Towing Safety Gear

Towing safety facts must include gear, which are things like towing mirrors, proper lighting, and brake lights. Towing safety gear is important because it helps you see and be seen while on the road.

4. Always Be Aware Of Your Surroundings

This is true for any type of driving, but it is especially important when towing an RV. Because RVs are larger and heavier than most vehicles, always be aware of your surroundings. This means paying attention to traffic, weather conditions, and construction zones.

Following these towing safety facts can help to ensure a safe experience for yourself and others. If you are looking for a towing company, Hayes Towing Electronics is the best place for you. We have a wide variety of towing products that will make your towing experience much safer. Hayes Towing Electronics Products are Proudly Made in the U.S.A, guaranteeing their quality and giving you peace of mind. Visit our website or give us a call today.

Recreational vehicles are part of the American culture, and according to statistics from a reputable industry body, there are roughly 16,000 public and privately owned RV campgrounds countrywide. Thus, RVers can freely roam the country’s roads during weekends or even take months-long trips. A sway control system is a must-have for any RV hitting the road, but what is it?

What Is an RV Sway Control System?

Recreational vehicles tend to sway from side to side on the road. This sway is typically caused by the wind vortices created by the RV as it cuts through the air or the vehicle instability as the driver maneuvers it on curvy roads at high speeds. It can also be caused by gusts of wind emitted by passing semi-trucks or an imbalanced load on the RV trailer. The swaying can make the driving experience exhausting as it forces the driver to constantly steer adjustments to keep the RV on the road.

What Does the Sway Control System Do?

The RV sway control system is meant to reduce or eliminate the swaying of the vehicle. This makes the driving experience much easier and safer. The sway control system comprises a weight distribution apparatus and sway control bars.

How Does It Work?

A weight distribution apparatus distributes part of the trailer’s weight from the back to the tow vehicle to the front. This apparatus is a must-have if the weight of your travel trailer is 50% or more than that of your tow vehicle or the tow vehicle slumps backward when it’s pulling the travel trailer. On the other hand, there are dual sway control bars, which are typical for large trailers. It utilizes hooks on either side of the trailer to prevent sway; the hooks unlock when the vehicle makes a turn.

There are also friction sway control bars that rely on friction to prevent the travel trailer from swaying. Although these are the most affordable option, they have the disadvantage of interfering with the turning ability of the trailer. Lastly, there is electronic tow control that utilizes electronic monitors to detect swaying of the trailer and applies brake pulses to the wheels to keep it straight.

It’s critical that you install the right sway control system to your RV to enjoy traveling and stay safe on the road. Avoid picking a cheap sway control system that can easily fail under challenging conditions. Reach out to us today if you are interested in learning more about the RV sway control system.

Hayes Towing Electronics Products are Proudly Made in the U.S.A.

If you own an RV, then a brake controller is one piece of safety equipment you should consider. It protects your brake pads from wearing out, helps you gain more control over your trailer, and ultimately reduces the risk of an accident. When choosing a brake controller for your RV, you need to consider intuitive control, clear readouts, and ease of installation.

Irrespective of the category of RV you use, either towables (towed behind your car, pickup, or van) or motorhomes, it is important you choose from the best types of brake controllers that will match your preference. If you’re an RV owner reading this article, the next question on your mind would be “what are the best types of brake controllers?” Well, below are three good options to pick from.

Syncronizer

The syncronizer trailer brake and controller wing is a great option for all 12-volt negative ground vehicles. It provides both automatic and manual braking, has the exclusive Quik-Connect feature, as well as has built-in automatic current limiter protection from trailer brake wiring shorts.

Engage

The Engage digital time-based controller has a display that shows the current, percent of power, and voltage. The display allows you to select adjustable voltage and power ramp-up times. This option also has the Quik-Connect feature and is compatible with single to tri-axle vehicles.

Endeavor

The Endeavor digital proportional brake controller has the ability to sense deceleration which provides premium braking. This controller also has a digital display that allows you to select the percent of power, voltage, or current along with a microprocessor that saves your settings. Unlike the other brake controllers mentioned above, the Endeavor can handle up to four axles.

Now you don’t have to ask the question “what are the best types of brake controllers?” You can weigh your options among some of the best types of trailer brake controllers listed above from Hayes Towing Electronics and choose the model that fits your budget and preference. Hayes Towing Electronics Products are Proudly Made in the U.S.A.

In recent times, more people in the U.S have gained ownership of an RV trailer. RVs are perfect for recreation and adventure, justifying why over 11% of head of households between 35 to 54 years old have an RV, exceeding the 9.3% of 55 years old and above who own an RV. Regardless of your age, your safety is paramount, especially when driving an RV trailer. Among other things, your RV trailer brake goes a long way in ensuring your safety. Here are three reasons why you should install RV trailer brake controllers before your next trip:

They Help You Gain Control

It can be difficult to be in total control of your RV when fully loaded. The additional weight, reduced vision, and fatigue from driving for hours can reduce your performance and make you lose control more easily. RV trailer brake controllers make you more assured of your safety on the highway. In addition, they will help control the sway of your RV because sometimes, your trailer can sway carelessly, especially on rough roads, affecting your stability.

Better Stopping Distance

You’ve probably seen jackknives resulting in severe damage. RV trailer brake controllers help to prevent such events from happening. Sometimes, a collision happens because a vehicle can’t come to a stop in a shorter time. Brake controllers help your RV come to a stop at a shorter distance. You can have many reasons to come to a quick stop when driving, but braking and accelerating can be slow, especially when heavy. Brake controllers are additional security that makes you safer on the road regardless of how heavy your vehicle is.

They Enhance the Longevity of Brake Pads

Without brake controllers, your RV is responsible for all the braking power. After some time, the brake pads will start wearing out, and you will be left with no choice but to change them from time to time. Your car may refuse to stop when your brake pads have faded away, which is more likely to result in an accident, so it’s important to keep these in mind.

The benefits of installing brake controllers in your RV cannot be overemphasized. You will not only reduce your risks of having an accident but also save costs in the long run. Contact us today to see how we can keep you and your family safe in your RV.

Hayes Towing Electronics Products are Proudly Made in the U.S.A.

Towing is not always straightforward. According to a Knott Laboratory study on commercial vehicle towing incidents, a 35-mph crosswind can exert up to 3,440 pounds of strain on the side of a large trailer. Let’s have a look at some tips for towing in this new year.

Weight Distribution

Maintaining adequate weight distribution is a simple method to make towing easier and safer. It’s preferable to carry the heaviest stuff in the front, securing it with rope or bungee cords so it doesn’t shift while driving. Smaller cargo should fill in the gaps. The cargo’s center of gravity should be low, with 60% of its weight in front. The trailer’s sides should also be balanced to prevent the risk of it flipping.

Brake Synchronization

A brake system that works synchronously with the tow vehicle’s lighting is called for. A separate braking system is required by most state legislatures. So the tow vehicle doesn’t have to perform all the work when braking.

In the event that the cargo brakes fail, the additional weight of the load makes a collision even more perilous. It’s advisable to use the brake gently rather than hard to avoid excessive wear.

Keep it Slow

When towing, speed is the last thing you want to experience. The faster you travel with a towed car, the riskier it becomes. Increasing your speed increases trailer sway and makes it difficult to stop quickly without fishtailing or flipping. Speed also makes traffic maneuvering a challenge. Slowing down is the right approach to ensure towing safety.

The Correct Hitch

There are two kinds of hitches: weight-carrying and weight-distributing. Weight-carrying hitches are advised for journeys weighing less than 3,500 pounds (1,588 kilograms). For larger weights, weight-distributing hitches are recommended.

The tongue weight, the downward pressure the tongue produces on the hitch ball, can become excessively heavy. This causes the tow vehicle and trailer to sag, giving the appearance of a broad V. A weight-distributing hitch redistributes the tongue weight to the tow vehicle and trailer axles, keeping both vehicles level.

Vehicle towing needs to be approached scientifically. Correct weight distribution, brake synchronization, slow speed, and using the correct hitch are all important tips to consider for towing safety. For your towing safety, ensure you contact the right specialists for the right equipment.

Hayes Towing Electronics Products are Proudly Made in the U.S.A.