How does Trailer Sway Control work?

In today’s How’s This Work we’re going to look at a technology that is most often found in trucks like the Tundra or Tacoma, as those are the vehicles most closely associated with hauling things like trailers, boats and other towable loads. The technology in question is Trailer Sway Control, an extension of Electronic Stability Control not to be confused with the mechanical sway control often found built into trailers.

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What is Trailer Sway Control?

So first things first, what exactly is this trailer sway that we’re trying to control? Essentially, trailer yaw – or as it is most commonly known, trailer sway – is the term used to describe a sudden sideways movement of a towed trailer. Trailers generally have a mechanical trailer sway control, but the system we’re speaking about is an electronic version that works in unison with a car or truck’s vehicle stability control system.

Essentially what the Trailer Sway Control program found in the 2016 Toyota Tundra and other vehicles does is detect trailer sway and then employ countermeasures to defuse the situation. The TSC system might reduce how much power the engine is generating or trigger individual brakes to get the trailer back in line. Having both mechanical and electronic trailer sway control systems when on the move is the best way to go, as it will give you the necessary confidence and reinforcement to push your truck’s towing abilities to the limit.

The video below briefly touches on the Toyota Tundra’s trailer sway control system as it was when first introduced for the 2011 model year, but if you have further questions about TSC and how it works you can feel free to give us a call. We’d also be happy to let you in on which Toyota vehicles have TSC installed or available.