Boat and trailer swaying back and forth at 60mph !

[MattP51]

Why is the boat and trailer wagging back and forth? Not cool....have to slow down to get it to stop...tell me what is going on!

 

[Theoutdoorsman]

Re: Boat and trailer swaying back and forth at 60mph !

Most likely you need more tongue weight. Ensure that your rig is loaded onto the trailer with the bow tie down eyelet touching the stop at the front of the trailer. If it is, and it still wags, move the stop point an inch at a time up the tongue towards the vehicle until the boat and trailer stops swinging around while being towed. But, before making any adjustments, what kind of rig are we talking about here?

 

[MattP51]

Re: Boat and trailer swaying back and forth at 60mph !

This really started after I put a different o/b on the boat which added 80lbs to the back (stern). Its a single axle and a 16' tri hull.

 

[Theoutdoorsman]

Re: Boat and trailer swaying back and forth at 60mph !

This really started after I put a different o/b on the boat which added 80lbs to the back (stern). Its a single axle and a 16' tri hull.

That was the key words........... "80 lbs more weight to the back of the boat". You need to more evenly distribute the weight on the trailer. Try moving the boat forward as mentioned before. I think you'll notice a big difference. Don't go so far forward you can't pick the tongue of the trailer up with your arms. Just inch it forward until it has sufficient weight to stop waiving at traffic around you on the road.........LOL.......... good luck.

 

[MattP51]

Re: Boat and trailer swaying back and forth at 60mph !

Theoutdoorsman
Thank you !

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Boat and trailer swaying back and forth at 60mph !

You need 10% of the total boat/trailer weight on the tongue. This is not a "pick it up" test. Use a bathroom scale (provided the load is 2500# or less). If the total weight (full of fuel, gear, etc) is 1500# you need 150# of tongue weight. Make sure the tongue is level when you weight it.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Boat and trailer swaying back and forth at 60mph !

roger that...tongue light it will sway...tongue heavy it'll shake the truck. I can tell when the boat loads a inch forward or rearward of normal.

Move the axle if you have to...it's a safety issue...tongue-light means your vehicle isn't firmly on the ground.

 

[excalibur-oc]

Re: Boat and trailer swaying back and forth at 60mph !

When trailering does your trailer sit level ?
It should not be higher at the hitch than at the rear.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Boat and trailer swaying back and forth at 60mph !

http://www.etrailer.com/faq/trailer-towing-tips.asp ] Trailer Towing Tips

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[ezeke]

Re: Boat and trailer swaying back and forth at 60mph !

Biggest problems that I have had were caused by wrong tires and underinflation.

Especially at highway speeds, radial auto tires just will not do the job.

 

[MattP51]

Re: Boat and trailer swaying back and forth at 60mph !

I have 5" of forward adjustment on the trailer ...going to try it.

 

[Theoutdoorsman]

Re: Boat and trailer swaying back and forth at 60mph !

If your trailer is not equipt to carry a spare tire, now would be a good time to look into that prospect before moving anything. Just a thought.