Trailer too stiff for boat

[boat58]

Hello, I have a Trail master custom trailer with 8" tire/wheel and a 1972 14' SeaNymph aluminum row boat with a 5 1/5 hp outboard. The boat, engine, full tank of gas, weigh about 180 lbs.

The trailer really bounces hard/stiff and it feels like the outboard will snap off, I drive between 55-60 no faster and i take back roads, no freeway driving.

The trailer has 2 leaf springs, and I was wondering if it would be OK to take the bottom small leaf out, or will it bounce even more? thanks

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Trailer too stiff for boat

drop the air in your tires some. not exactly recommended for long distances, but for slower speeds with a really light load it won't be a problem. the psi on the side is the max psi allowable for the rated tire load capacity, it is fine to use lower pressure for a lighter load.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Trailer too stiff for boat

I would also remove the outboard when trailering. Shouldn't be too much of a problem with a motor that small.

 

[boat58]

Re: Trailer too stiff for boat

Tire pressure is @ 60 psi, is it OK to go down to 40 psi and see how the trailer travels or is that too low ?

 

[Shizzy]

Re: Trailer too stiff for boat

I have the same issue with my little tinny.

I wouldnt go from the 60PSI down to 40 right away. try dropping it in small increments.

5PSI made all the difference in mine.

BTW, if im taking a longer trip then my usual 10 minutes down the road I air them up to the recomended and just pack more gear in to the boat.

 

[boat58]

Re: Trailer too stiff for boat

Thanks for all the good info, i'll give the lower air pressure a try and see what happens, thanks again.

 

[55Crestliner]

Re: Trailer too stiff for boat

I ran my trailer for many years with the second leaf removed. I was towing a 12 foot very light sailboat. Then I got a 12 foot aluminum runabout, and an 18 horse Johnson. Still did ok with the single leaf, but I was starting to get nervous when I'd put extra weight in it. (tires rubbing on fenders when hitting bumps, and motor coming closer to ground). I now have a 25 horse motor on the same boat, and the springs are back on.

It's not hard to do - sounds like with your boat, you can loose (well, keep them of course) the extra spring. You can always put it back.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Trailer too stiff for boat

Put the motor in the trunk and strap that tinny down real good.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Trailer too stiff for boat

Or put my ex mother in law in the tinny and add a couple of extra leaf springs !!!