Caravan swaying at high speeds causes

Nov 20, 2025
2 min read

That sudden, unsettling feeling—the moment your caravan begins to sway violently on the highway—is every tower's greatest fear. Caravan sway (or "snaking") is not just a nuisance; it’s a high-speed loss of control that often results in a catastrophic accident and total loss of your assets.

Understanding the causes is the first step toward guaranteeing your safety and achieving UNPARALLELED PEACE OF MIND.

Here are the four primary culprits behind caravan swaying.

1. Improper Weight Distribution (The Most Common Factor)

This is the most frequent cause of dangerous sway and is entirely preventable.

Rearward Loading is Lethal: If your caravan’s centre of gravity is too far back (too much weight loaded behind the axle), the trailer becomes "tail-heavy." This creates instability at the coupling point, allowing the caravan to oscillate uncontrollably at highway speeds.
The Goal: Aim for a Tow Ball Mass (TBM) of around 10–15% of your total Aggregate Trailer Mass (ATM). Weight should be loaded low and forward of the axles.

2. Incorrect Tyre Pressure (The Silent Factor Managed by Flatmate-TPMS)

Tyre pressure is a direct factor in the stability and rigidity of your caravan setup.

Soft Tyres Cause Instability: Under-inflated tyres introduce excessive "squirm" and flexibility into the system. This spongy movement exaggerates every small correction or wind buffeting, causing the entire rig to become unstable and initiating caravan swaying.
The Fix: Flatmate-TPMS eliminates this risk. Our systems give you real-time, accurate pressure readings, allowing you to maintain optimal PSI instantly. This is essential, as incorrect pressure is a primary factor in stability issues and blowouts.

3. Excessive Speed and External Forces that Cause Caravan Swaying

The faster you go, the less control you have, especially when external forces are introduced.

The Speed Multiplier: Sway risk increases exponentially with speed. A rig that is perfectly stable at 80 km/h may be uncontrollable at 110 km/h.
External Factors: Sudden wind gusts, rough road edges, and—critically—the bow wave created by large trucks passing you are common triggers for sway.

4. Towing Equipment Failure and Maintenance

Even if the weight and speed are correct, worn equipment can lead to instability.

Worn Suspension/Brakes: Worn shock absorbers or faulty caravan brakes can prevent the rig from dampening minor movements, allowing sway to build quickly.
Hitch Maintenance: Worn tow balls, coupling points, or faulty Weight Distribution Hitches (WDH) can introduce slack into the system, contributing to instability.