3 ms·

Doesn't his car have ABS? Even under heavy braking, the car's wheels shouldn't lock up and lead to swerving. Did the trailer have its own brakes?

whiddershins 4y ago
I believe you are thinking of skidding, not swerving.
- Johnny555 4y ago
  I don't see how the trailer can force a car to swerve without any loss of traction through skidding.
Rebelgecko 4y ago
Does ABS help if the car is braking faster than the trailer?
btilly 4y ago
As everyone is pointing out to you, ABS solves the problem of your car's wheels skidding, leading to loss of control. It doesn't help with the trailer that you're towing failing to stop as fast as you do, trying to run into you, and trying to turn to the side when it can't. The solution to the latter problem is to be aware that you have the trailer, and to not brake faster than it can handle. The fact that the trailer makes it harder for you to avoid an accident is exactly why many jurisdictions put extra restrictions on cars towing trailers (for example in CA they aren't supposed to go over 55 mph - even on the freeway).
- cameronh90 4y ago
  At least in the UK, you're not supposed to have a trailer of such a weight that it would destabilise you if you emergency brake. That's dangerous and should be outside of the vehicle's/driver's specifications. Above a certain weight, you should be using a braked trailer.
- Johnny555 4y ago
  If ACC speed adjustment let to the trailer losing traction and swerving behind him, then there's something not right with his towing setup, even in a panic stop, I've never had my trailer swerve behind me. That's a serious hazard, ACC speed adjustment braking should not cause any loss of control. I've seen pickups with too little weight on the rear axle lock up the wheels and get pushed around by the trailer especially when the trailer braking is adjusted too light, but with the advent of ABS, that's not nearly as common. The problem here isn't the ACC braking (even though many car markers will tell you not to use it while towing), it's trailer setup.

whiddershins 4y ago

I believe you are thinking of skidding, not swerving.

Johnny555 4y ago
I don't see how the trailer can force a car to swerve without any loss of traction through skidding.

Rebelgecko 4y ago

Does ABS help if the car is braking faster than the trailer?

btilly 4y ago

As everyone is pointing out to you, ABS solves the problem of your car's wheels skidding, leading to loss of control. It doesn't help with the trailer that you're towing failing to stop as fast as you do, trying to run into you, and trying to turn to the side when it can't. The solution to the latter problem is to be aware that you have the trailer, and to not brake faster than it can handle. The fact that the trailer makes it harder for you to avoid an accident is exactly why many jurisdictions put extra restrictions on cars towing trailers (for example in CA they aren't supposed to go over 55 mph - even on the freeway).

cameronh90 4y ago
At least in the UK, you're not supposed to have a trailer of such a weight that it would destabilise you if you emergency brake. That's dangerous and should be outside of the vehicle's/driver's specifications. Above a certain weight, you should be using a braked trailer.
Johnny555 4y ago
If ACC speed adjustment let to the trailer losing traction and swerving behind him, then there's something not right with his towing setup, even in a panic stop, I've never had my trailer swerve behind me. That's a serious hazard, ACC speed adjustment braking should not cause any loss of control. I've seen pickups with too little weight on the rear axle lock up the wheels and get pushed around by the trailer especially when the trailer braking is adjusted too light, but with the advent of ABS, that's not nearly as common. The problem here isn't the ACC braking (even though many car markers will tell you not to use it while towing), it's trailer setup.