Towing Problem... Tires?

[rochester]

Just bought a used Searay 180BR with Shorelander trailer... the trailer and boat were a matched pair when the original owner bought them. I've had it out just twice, last time being yesterday. When I'm towing the rig, it doesn't seem to behave very well. Seems to be more up and down, and right to left than I had with my previous boat, which was 16 feet, and somewhat lighter. I'm towing with a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder, and it has the towing package, so I don't think that is the problem. The boat is level when connected to my vehicle. When I bought the rig, I thought the tires looked underinflated. Owner said no, he just checked them. The tires look new. This evening I went out again to make sure the tires were inflated correctly, and I noticed that on the side of the tires, it say in very small print 1480 lbs. max, inflation 50 psi cold. I think maybe that is the problem. The dry weight of the boat is 2100 lbs. Would this cause the kind of problems I described? I'm guessing it would... but don't want to buy new tires, and have the same problem.

 

[sanger800]

Re: Towing Problem... Tires?

The load rating is per tire.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Towing Problem... Tires?

radial or bias ply tires? Radial tires should always look a little underflated when run as designed.

 

[bassman284]

Re: Towing Problem... Tires?

Did you check the tire pressure? You should just to be sure.

What you're describing sounds to me like not enough tongue weight. I've had that experience. You might need to move the axle back some.

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: Towing Problem... Tires?

hook the boat to the truck then move it to a flat hard surface then put some bathroom scales under the jack and start to jack the trailer off the ball. This is a rouge way to get the hitch weight. You are looking for about 250LB if the trailer plus boat is in the 2500lb range. To much weight will make the truck squat and cause problems to little weight will lift the truck on a bump and make the whole rear of the truck loose

 

[emilsr]

Re: Towing Problem... Tires?

Definitely check the tongue weight, but I bet it's the same as it's been all along (and probably good so long as nobody has tried to "fix" anything).

Yes, it'll move your Pathfinder around more than your smaller boat.

My concern here (FWIW) is also the tires. Assuming you've got a single axle trailer, the max load for the 2 tires is 2,960. That's not a lot considering your boat weighs at least 2,100lbs empty without a trailer. It may have been this way all along; they usually put "just enough" tire on boat trailers from the factory, but if they've been changed it could be the previous owner went with a lighter load range tire.

That said, what you're describing sounds like something else....maybe tongue weight issues (too light), or maybe you're towing more weight than you think.....or both. Try to find a scale and weigh the thing before you go throwing any money at new tires. You'll need overall weight to determine proper tongue weight anyway.

 

[JB]

Re: Towing Problem... Tires?

You haven't confirmed that the tires are at correct pressure (50psi) or that there is a correct weight on the tongue (over 200#).

Find those numbers. As said above, you are describing symptoms of too little weight on the tongue.

 

[rochester]

Re: Towing Problem... Tires?

Thanks for the feedback. It sounds like the first thing I should do is get the tongue weight. I've got to find an older spring scale though, I guess. Our electronic scale wouldn't give me a weight... have to talk to some friends to see if they've got one.

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: Towing Problem... Tires?

a pictures of the boat loaded and attached to the truck might help

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Towing Problem... Tires?

Thanks for the feedback. It sounds like the first thing I should do is get the tongue weight. I've got to find an older spring scale though, I guess. Our electronic scale wouldn't give me a weight... have to talk to some friends to see if they've got one.

The first thing you were told is to check the "tire pressure". Because someone told you it was ok doesn't mean it is. They probably know less about this issue than you do.

 

[rochester]

Re: Towing Problem... Tires?

Oh... I checked the tire pressure right away. It says 50psi on the tires, and that is right where it is at. I will take a picture of the boat on the trailer in the next day or two and post it. May not be able to do it today. Thanks again.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Towing Problem... Tires?

not to be redundant and repetitive and say the same thing again, but
(1) tire pressure (you checked) is a typical problem b/c trailer tires should be inflated a lot higher than we think. But if low, they roll on the turns;
(2) tongue weight, and be sure the boat is pulled all the way forward to the post (and adjust tongue weight by moving the post). Also are you adding weight to the stern such as a large cooler? Is the gas tank full? Is the rear of the car loaded?
(3) your car has a relatively short wheel base, and you have a heavier boat than you are used to. Your car is fine; it just takes some getting used to. In a safe clear area, practice your braking b/c (a) you need more time and (b) sudden braking can push your car's rear around.
Assuming no brakes on this or your previous trailer; there's a different feel there, too. And brakes that aren't working just right can affect the feel, too.

 

[rochester]

Re: Towing Problem... Tires?

Tire pressure is right on. Tires are Goodyear Marathon Radial Trailer ST185/80R13, rated at 1480 lbs max, at 50 psi cold. No large cooler. Full gas tank on boat. Just my wife and I in vehicle. New rear shocks. New brakes. Boat pulled all the way forward. Don't think there are brakes on the trailer. Will have to get a scale to check tongue weight. Going to take a picture of rig connected to vehicle, but it looks quite level to me. Thanks for your reply.

 

[briangcc]

Re: Towing Problem... Tires?

Stupid question...is this an Outboard powered Searay or an I/O? If the latter, well they're stern heavy to begin with. Couple that weight from the I/O with a short wheelbase SUV such as the Pathfinder and you're right in the predicament you find yourself.

If you look at the rear axle of your Pathfinder, do you see a fairly thick metal bar, possibly 3/8" to 1" in diameter, running from passenger side to drivers side? If not, then you definitely don't have a sway bar. What *might* help you a little bit is the installation of an aftermarket sway bar for your rear axle on the Pathfinder. I installed a 1" thick one on my '04 GMC Sierra 1500 and it helped alot with the sway from side to side. It won't help one bit with the up/down as that's due to an unbalanced trailer. What would help is tossing additional weight in the bow of the boat if the boat can't be moved on the trailer any.

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Towing Problem... Tires?

Check your tongue weight.

 

[rochester]

Re: Towing Problem... Tires?

Finally checked the tongue weight via bathroom spring scale... 240 lbs. The trailer sits almost parallel to the ground. It is 2 inches higher at the rear... 13.75 inches at the tongue. 15.75 inches at the rear. It is a single-axle Shorelander that was sold with the boat. The literature for the trailer says tongue weight should be 5-7% of total weight. Dry weight of boat is 2100 lbs and trailer is about 500 lbs, so... if anything, it is probably too much tongue weight. 240 lbs of tongue weight is 7% of just over 3400 lbs. The vehicle is rated for 600 lbs of tongue weight though, and 6000 lbs towing capacity, so that shouldn't be a problem, should it?

 

[emilsr]

Re: Towing Problem... Tires?

Good looking boat!

I think you're just experiencing the effects of more weight than you've been used to towing. No, you're nowhere near the rated towing capacity of your vehicle, but it's still a good bit of weight to tow behind what essentially is a compact truck. Bear in mind that the rated towing capacity assumes a 150lb driver (and nothing else). Any people and gear you're carrying reduces the towable load.

Plan ahead, keep the speeds down....all that sort of stuff. A stiffer trailer tire might help.

 

[briangcc]

Re: Towing Problem... Tires?

You're probably spot on with the tongue weight as the actual weight of the boat is more than the literature you're looking at - basically not worth the paper its printed on. It doesn't take into account any of the gas in your tank, 6lbs/gal if I recall, the battery to start it, all the required safety gear, anchor(s), etc. To get an accurate idea of your boat weight, you need to take it to a public scale, weigh the rig, launch the boat, and then reweigh with just the trailer. That will give you the correct weight of your current boat which I bet is well above the published figure you're going off of.

I think, if available, the addition of a rear sway bar to your Pathfinder would help somewhat with the side to side motion you're experiencing. If you want to correct the up/down you're going to need to move some weight into the bow of the boat while you're trailering.

Other than that, emilsr hit the nail on the head...its a larger/heavier boat than what you were used to so you'll need to spend some time lugging it around to determine the handling characteristics of your new rig.

 

[rochester]

Re: Towing Problem... Tires?

I think you're just experiencing the effects of more weight than you've been used to towing.

I am beginning to think the same thing myself. Took it out again last night, and I think I am just going to have to get used to it. My friend commented on it the first time we took it out, and my wife added the same opinion the next time, that they could really feel the trailer moving around. You get that in your head, and you start to wonder if something is wrong. Though only 2 feet longer, the Sea Ray is significantly wider and deeper... and heavier than our previous one, a 16-foot Rinker bowrider with a 70hp outboard.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Towing Problem... Tires?

Your Nissan is certainly capable of towing 6000#.

Wisconsin law requires brakes on all trailers over 3000#.

BUT , you should read Section 9, page 16 or your owners manual.



MAXIMUM LOAD LIMITS
Maximum trailer loads
Never allow the total trailer load to exceed the
value specified in the following Towing
Load/Specification Chart found later in this section.
The total trailer load equals trailer weight
plus its cargo weight.

* When towing a trailer load of 1,000 lbs.
(454 kg) or more, trailers with a brake system
MUST be used.


So, clearly Nissan thinks there is a stopping and control issue with the Pathfinder and they are dictating that trailer brakes are a must.