Does weight distribution affect how a trailer backs up?

[gunner1]

My trailer is a real PITA to back down the boat ramp. It'll turn all by itself even if I keep the truck's wheels straight. Could the boat be too far back on the trailer and the uneven weight didtribution is making it handle crazy? The boat is a 16" aluminum Starcraft with a 50hp Force outboard.

 

[109jb]

Re: Does weight distribution affect how a trailer backs up?

Weight distributing hitches do not affect the way a trailer backs up. When backing any trailer you have to continually make small correction to keep it going where you want it to. Short trailers are the hardest to back up. The longer the trailer the slower the trailer is to get "out of whack". You could extend your tongue to make the distance longer from the trailer wheels to the tow vehicle. This also helps with shallow ramps by allowing you to get the trailer farther in the water without submerging the back of the tow vehicle.

 

[gunner1]

Re: Does weight distribution affect how a trailer backs up?

Weight distributing hitches do not affect the way a trailer backs up. When backing any trailer you have to continually make small correction to keep it going where you want it to. Short trailers are the hardest to back up. The longer the trailer the slower the trailer is to get "out of whack". You could extend your tongue to make the distance longer from the trailer wheels to the tow vehicle. This also helps with shallow ramps by allowing you to get the trailer farther in the water without submerging the back of the tow vehicle.

I think you mis-understood me. I wasn't referring to W.D. hitches, I meant how much weight of the boat was in front of or behind the trailer's midpoint. But thanks for the tips.

 

[htv]

Re: Does weight distribution affect how a trailer backs up?

A long wheel-base tow vehicle and a short wheel-base trailer(wheels to coupling) is what makes it difficult to back up.

 

[gunner1]

Re: Does weight distribution affect how a trailer backs up?

A long wheel-base tow vehicle and a short wheel-base trailer(wheels to coupling) is what makes it difficult to back up.

What would you consider a "short wheelbase trailer?"

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: Does weight distribution affect how a trailer backs up?

Dont feel bad. My neighbor across the street is in his 60's.
He's told me he's been boating for around 40 years. He still has issues backing up a boat trailer.

To back his boat in his driveway he used my drive way to get the boat a straight at possible. Once in the driveway he will wrench down the wheel jack and push it.

I think some people just have troubles backing up short trailers.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Does weight distribution affect how a trailer backs up?

My trailer is a real PITA to back down the boat ramp. It'll turn all by itself even if I keep the truck's wheels straight. Could the boat be too far back on the trailer and the uneven weight didtribution is making it handle crazy? The boat is a 16" aluminum Starcraft with a 50hp Force outboard.

Nice try, but its your skills that matter.. LOL.

Some combinations of trailer and tow rig can be a bugger to back up, but it just takes more practice, so go boating more.

 

[htv]

Re: Does weight distribution affect how a trailer backs up?

For me personally, when the coupler to wheel dimension becomes less the the wheel-base of the vehicle it starts to become difficult. I once had a little 5'x8' utility trailer I pulled behind my full size pick-up that frustrated me to the point that I'd get out of the truck lift the back-*** of the trailer and point it in the direction I needed it to go. On the other hand my boat trailer is little over 26' long and I can drive that trailer in reverse as fast as I can forward, well almost.
A couple of extra feet of tongue makes a lot of difference. But remember you got to have positive tongue weight on your ball if you lengthen it.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Does weight distribution affect how a trailer backs up?

The further away the trailer wheels are the easier it is to reverse with it. Tractor trailers are easier to direct because of this factor.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Does weight distribution affect how a trailer backs up?

what everyone on here so affectionally calls jetfleas are also by far the trailers that require the most skill to back up. They are usually very short, and you often can't see the trailer in your mirrors until it is too late.

anyway, to answer the original question though, nope, weight makes absolutely no difference. Just have to practice more.

 

[PNW Driver]

Re: Does weight distribution affect how a trailer backs up?

Axle alignment?

 

[rjlipscomb]

Re: Does weight distribution affect how a trailer backs up?

Poor weight distribution may want to pull or push the trailer but I doubt you would ever notice it with your boat and trailer. If the boat was heavier, you might notice it while driving forward.

Sounds like you need practice. Remember, when you see it going in a direction, its already headed that way by the dynamics/alignment of your truck to trailer. Fortunately, for me, my trailer is long and makes it easier for me to steer it with my truck using small inputs.

Someone mentioned axle alignment and that might confuse you when backing up. You would notice it while driving forward at any real speed (pulling the tow vehicle to one side).

 

[gunner1]

Re: Does weight distribution affect how a trailer backs up?

It's weird because I can back up my dad's boat/trailer with no problems. Maybe it's longer or something. I know I'm not that experienced backing up a trailer yet, but the fact that one is so much easier than the other makes me think it's my trailer's fault somehow.

 

[skargo]

Re: Does weight distribution affect how a trailer backs up?

If you have 4wd, put it in 4 low and you can make smaller, slower adjustments. I own quite a few trailers, and my smallest, for our lawn tractor, is the hardest to back.

 

[eli_lilly]

Re: Does weight distribution affect how a trailer backs up?

Axle alignment?

I was thinking the same thing, definitely worth a check!

-E

 

[Fl_Richard]

Re: Does weight distribution affect how a trailer backs up?

Can you use a weight distributing hitch on a boat trailer? I guess not with surge brakes...

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Does weight distribution affect how a trailer backs up?

I've seen a few trailers which were near impossible to back up because of rear axle alignment, it just so happens they were all Escort brand trailers under older Bayliners. In each case, a simple alignment of the axle fixed the problem.
If the axle is not 90 degrees to the frame, it will tend to steer in the direction of the shortest side when backing. If the trailer axle is pushed forward on the right side, it will tend to go in that direction easier when backing and take a more severe correction to overcome it.
All in all it comes down to experience though. I agree that a trailer shorter than the wheel base of the tow vehicle is the point where they become hard to reverse.

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: Does weight distribution affect how a trailer backs up?

When I was about 18 I worked at a condo complex doing grounds/maint. we had to collect trash with these little dumpsters (12') on wheels. we would hitch 2, 3, 4 togather and trying to back those little tripples up was almost impossible. I hated it at the time but now realize how much better of a backer upper with a trailer it made me. Even 20+ years later it still helps me out.