Trailer Handling in Adverse Conditions

Combination vehicles present a large lateral surface area — a standard 53-foot trailer can have over 400 square feet of broadside exposure. Crosswinds create a yaw force that attempts to rotate the vehicle around its vertical axis. At highway speeds, a 30 mph crosswind can exert several thousand pounds of lateral force on an empty trailer. Empty trailers are significantly more vulnerable than loaded ones because the lower gross weight reduces the friction force keeping the tires grounded. When driving in crosswind conditions, maintain firm two-hand grip on the steering wheel and reduce speed. Anticipate gusts when exiting tunnels, passing through highway gaps in windbreaks, or crossing bridges. As you exit a windbreak or structure, the vehicle will initially lean into the wind because the tractor front exits the shelter before the trailer; be prepared to counter-steer. On multi-lane highways, position in the lane that minimizes crosswind exposure — the downwind lane in most configurations. If the trailer begins to sway, do not over-correct; make small, deliberate steering inputs and reduce speed gradually rather than braking hard, which can cause a jackknife.