Trailer questions- got a real tug happening!

[QC]

Re: Trailer questions- got a real tug happening!

This is single axle trailer right? Each tire is rated something like 1760 lbs . . . Single axles are especially sensitive to tongue weight and I bet you were feeling a slight sway that was hard to see. I can't explain why a change to a different ball helped unless you increased the tongue weight at the same time. Still seems overloaded to me

 

[Mark42]

Re: Trailer questions- got a real tug happening!

I read where you said the ball mount was solid, but have you checked to see it the ball is the right size for the coupler? A big coupler will fit over a smaller ball, and the fork will hold it together, but there will be play that makes the tugging feeling in the cab. Especially noticeable when the trailer wheels hit a small bump or expansion joints in the highway.

This is dangerous because although the coupler seems to be secure, in extreme conditions, the coupler can separate from the undersized ball.

 

[kyboater66]

First... AND...Chech your vehicle....

First... AND...Chech your vehicle....

1. When loading the boat at the ramp, use the winch to pull the boat, which should be partially floating, forward TO the winch Stop pad. When the winch is released, the boat should still be touching the pad. The winch is not designed to PULL the boat forward in the Parking Lot.
2. With the boat touching the stop pad, check the tonge weight. Usually, 200-250 pounds is adequate except for very heavy loads. This should be checked with full tank of fuel, supplies, etc. Do not worry about the position of the boat on the trailer, unless it it extremely off on the bunks or winch stop pad.
3. If the surging continues, adjust the brakes until they have little or no effect on the bracking. Test run.
4. If the problems continue, check trailer tire alignment with the tow vehicle, tire balance, tire pressure, uneven tire wear, and loose connections in the hitch system, ball, pin, hitch to vehicle, multi-piece tonge, etc.
5. If you get this far, it is a good time to get a new trailer.

Lastly, these new computer controlled, high torque vehicles are great, BUT, running empty (NO LOAD) and running loaded can be two entirely different scenarios. A loss of power when empty is hardly noticable and may be within tollerence of the computers parameters. But when Loaded the computer may create surging (rich to lean) conditions to maintain the engine's efficiency and pollution restrictions while maxamizing the power and torque curve. These conditions can be within the computer's tollerances (so it doesn't through a code) and the Engine Check light does not illuminate.

Tow another load of the same weight to determine if the tow vehicle could be runnning at marginal performance and efficiency.