Trailer questions- got a real tug happening!

[pgiuf]

So we pull our 1802 trophy on our f150 4x4-we noticed a fore and aft tugging. Had the surge brakes done- really rusted. Didn't help- had the actuator replaced-brakes work well but still have the tug. Tug is noticed mostly while coasting at any speed. It does tug a bit occasionally when accelerating. We just put spare tire on to see if maybe the tires are out of round. Didn't seem to help much- Put boat on friends 3/4 ton and we did feel the tug- but not as pronounced. WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON??? Should we look at tongue weight??? Your thoughts PLEASE!

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: Trailer questions- got a real tug happening!

Could you explain 'tug'? It sounds like you're talking about a vibration maybe?

Ian

 

[Splat]

Re: Trailer questions- got a real tug happening!

I'm thinking this may be a tongue weight issue. Or just simply the boat pushing the tow rig around.

Bill

 

[skargo]

Re: Trailer questions- got a real tug happening!

Make sure your ball is tight to the ball mount. Plus make sure the hole and shank are the same size.

 

[pgiuf]

Re: Trailer questions- got a real tug happening!

The tug is a rhythmic fore and aft push and pull. Not extreme but noticeable-
Regarding the tongue weight- we have all of 1 inch more forward to play with before hitting trailer jack
Ball and shank tight- not worn out.
I guess the question is whether we are safe or should I have someone look at it? I just got it back from welding guys who put on a new actuator. Where does one go to have a trailer looked at.
Another question: When we released the boat from the winch ( safety chain still attached) the nose of boat automatically popped up- approx 3 inches- is this normal? Would that indicate boat not forward enough on trailer or too much stern weight? Thanks!

 

[woosterken]

Re: Trailer questions- got a real tug happening!

do you have the right size pin to hold the draw bar in the hitch?
some have 1/2" and some have 5/8"
also check the holes in the draw bar and hitch to make sure they are not egg shaped

woosterken

 

[pgiuf]

Re: Trailer questions- got a real tug happening!

Holes appear to be round,used different pin when draw bar put on friends 3/4 ton, same problem ,not as severe on 3/4 ton but still noticeable

 

[marlboro180]

Re: Trailer questions- got a real tug happening!

The tug is a rhythmic fore and aft push and pull. Not extreme but noticeable-
Regarding the tongue weight- we have all of 1 inch more forward to play with before hitting trailer jack
Ball and shank tight- not worn out
Another question: When we released the boat from the winch ( safety chain still attached) the nose of boat automatically popped up- approx 3 inches- is this normal? Would that indicate boat not forward enough on trailer or too much stern weight? Thanks!

If your trailer tongue "lifted off" when you disconnected it, how did you get it on in the first place?
Or was it after loading back up at the launch?
Did you put a bunch of gear in the stern of the boat after hooking up the boat?
Overall it sounds a lot like you are light in the front end and the tongue should never ever be that light unless something is wrong. 10-15% of gross weight should be on the hitch.

 

[MarvJ]

Re: Trailer questions- got a real tug happening!

The tug is a rhythmic fore and aft push and pull. Not extreme but noticeable-
Regarding the tongue weight- we have all of 1 inch more forward to play with before hitting trailer jack
Ball and shank tight- not worn out.
I guess the question is whether we are safe or should I have someone look at it? I just got it back from welding guys who put on a new actuator. Where does one go to have a trailer looked at.
Another question: When we released the boat from the winch ( safety chain still attached) the nose of boat automatically popped up- approx 3 inches- is this normal? Would that indicate boat not forward enough on trailer or too much stern weight? Thanks!

First season owning a boat soooooo i'm no expert. I have the same setup you have, F150 4X4 and Trophy 1802. I release my front strap and i get no lift at all and thats with a full 53gal of fuel onboard. It sounds like to me the boat is not far enough forward on the trailer. Good luck!!
Marv

 

[eli_lilly]

Re: Trailer questions- got a real tug happening!

Another question: When we released the boat from the winch ( safety chain still attached) the nose of boat automatically popped up- approx 3 inches- is this normal? Would that indicate boat not forward enough on trailer or too much stern weight? Thanks!

No, it's not normal. The boat's position on the trailer should be such that the bunks extend all of the way to the boat's transom (end). The boat's winch post should be positioned at the front of the boat to maintain the boat in this location. The winch itself should be positioned vertically so that there is a slight downward pull as the boat is winched the final inch or two.

-E

 

[pgiuf]

Re: Trailer questions- got a real tug happening!

Ok- so we pulled our boat on trailer to a truck scale- it came to 3800-
Our trailer is rated for 2800. Can this be right??? I believe our trailer is around 640lbs. I feel I am loosing my mind. I spoke to marina- they say too little tongue weight- Karavan trailers say too much!
Our first try at estimating tongue weight- tongue placed on scale- 215.
215/3820 x 100= what %? I have read anywhere from 5-15% this calculation would be around 6%.
Will we ever get to go on vacation?
FYI -Bunks are aligned with transom.

 

[Zeeter]

Re: Trailer questions- got a real tug happening!

Ok- so we pulled our boat on trailer to a truck scale- it came to 3800-
Our trailer is rated for 2800. Can this be right??? I.

I wouldnt go anywhere until you fix that.

 

[Floatsum]

Re: Trailer questions- got a real tug happening!

"tongue placed on scale- 215."

"the nose of boat automatically popped up- approx 3 inches"



When it lifted did you have drawbars tight? (too tight?)

Even with "levelers / draw bars" you still want 10% on the hitch after adjustment.

Them F150's are soft in the tail anyways. May be better off with air bags on the rear truck axel.

 

[eli_lilly]

Re: Trailer questions- got a real tug happening!

I wouldnt go anywhere until you fix that.

Yeah, if nothing else it's going to blow tires like crazy.

-E

 

[cooter2506]

Re: Trailer questions- got a real tug happening!

Hmmm stupid question. Is this the trailer the boat came with or is it a replacement. Sure sounds like the wrong trailer to me.

 

[soaringhiggy]

Re: Trailer questions- got a real tug happening!

I think he is talking about two issues, the first is the surge breaks giving a push pull scenario, which may be accentuated by tongue weight, which he has 200 ish pounds of.

The second issue is the bow rises up from several inches when he lets the pressure off of the winch strap, which some have indicated could be to much weight in the back or the bunks not being long enough, or the strap could be applying that much down pressure on the bow eye, which would not be a good situation.

Take a look at the geometry of your winch, the strap should be horizontal or close to when the boat is correctly sitting in the trailer. If the strap is pulling the eye down that could be part of the problem.

 

[pgiuf]

Re: Trailer questions- got a real tug happening!

So the final outcome....
Thank you for all your advice and comments.
Yes the trailer is the original one that came with boat.
After moving the winch up a few inches- the bunk aligns with the stern of the boat.I did this to increase tongue weight- which now is at 250
The stern straps are not pulling down the boat to cause the approx 3 in lift.- the marina mechanics say it is not as bad as I described.
The winch is in perfect alignment
The ball/hitch appeared to be solid ( many guys checked it out)
but after much investigation that was the only variable that stood out when we used another truck to tow the boat to see if it tugged. We changed out the ball and the tug was gone.Same size - same make etc. go figure.
As to the weight of the boat / motor / trailer- I don't know what to say- we are investigating why the weight is already topped off ( GVW for trailer is 3550)
without the addition of gear and a full tank of gas.
We did decide to trailer it this pass week- after shifting as much weight out as possible, making sure the tires were well inflated,- it was a smooth drive- no tug, no sway, nothing, Yes we took a chance-
I will be investigating this situation some more- I have a feeling I won't get anywhere, and may have to change out my trailer.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Trailer questions- got a real tug happening!

Is the trailer level when it is hooked to the vehicle? If it is low at the hitch it could cause this problem as the surge brakes can be applied when not needed and cause an oscillation.

 

[pgiuf]

Re: Trailer questions- got a real tug happening!

Yes it is level. The truck hardly responds to the weight when the boat is attached

 

[eli_lilly]

Re: Trailer questions- got a real tug happening!

I wonder if the trailer frame is flexing between the axle and the tongue.

-E