What action should you take if the trailer begins to fishtail?

When a trailer begins to fishtail, it indicates that it's experiencing a loss of stability, which can lead to a potentially dangerous situation. The correct action is to slow down and steer in the direction of the skid. This method allows the driver to regain control of both the vehicle and the trailer.

Slowing down reduces the speed of the vehicle and trailer, making it easier to regain stability. Steering into the skid allows the driver to realign the front wheels of the tractor with the path of the trailer. By doing so, you can counteract the fishtailing motion, helping to straighten out the vehicle combination. This technique is crucial because it helps maintain control and avoids exacerbating the fishtail situation.

Attempting to increase speed in an effort to pull the trailer back into line can lead to further instability and is likely to worsen the fishtailing effect. Similarly, slamming on the brakes can cause the vehicle to skid or lose control entirely, while turning the steering wheel sharply could lead to a jackknife scenario. Thus, the recommended approach of slowing down and steering into the skid effectively addresses the situation by promoting control and stability.