Shim trailer

[agallant80]

I not sure if I can accuratily describe my issue without more detailed photos but I will give it a shot.

The pole on the trailer is not level with the other trailer beams. When the trailer is level the front of the beam is 18.5 inches off of the ground and the rear is 18.5 but the thoung is about 26 off of the ground. This is causing issues getting the trailer to ride level. I keep on moving the hitch higher and higher which causes issues with the jack reaching the ground.

The pole toung connects to the trailer frame via 2 brackers (one on each side of the frame) with a single bolt and a plate in the back that connects the two frame sides and pole toung togeather via u-bolts.

What I want to do is loosen the ubolts on the toung pole and add some shims under until the pole toung is more in line with the trailer frame.

Does anyone see an issue with this? I have attached a photo to help describe what I am talking about.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Shim trailer

I'd say the WDH is flexing or maybe even bending the trailer. Most boat trailers aren't designed for a WDH.

you might consider shortening the tongue....

 

[agallant80]

Re: Shim trailer

I'd say the WDH is flexing or maybe even bending the trailer. Most boat trailers aren't designed for a WDH.

you might consider shortening the tongue....

It was like that before the WD hitch I just never cared until I had all of the trailer issues end of last season. When on the jack not connected to the truck you can see it going up.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Shim trailer

I see... What about when the boat is unloaded?

as long as your suspension isn't binding it isn't the end of the world to drop the front of the trailer a little.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Shim trailer

You need close up pictures of what you are talking about.

The WDH is not the issue. A big bump is a hundred times more force than anything a WDH is going to cause.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Shim trailer

I don't think shimming would be a good idea as it would concentrate all the force in a small area.... IF the tongue is slightly bowed you might gain something from turning it upside down.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Shim trailer

I don't think shimming would be a good idea as it would concentrate all the force in a small area.... IF the tongue is slightly bowed you might gain something from turning it upside down.

I should grab some more photos. Its bent up due to the holes where the frame is drilled being not exactly in the middle of the beam. Where the frame and pole come together is essentially a pivot point. The pole and frame are all bolted togeather at the end of the pole. Because the holes were not exactly on center of the pole it has created an upward angle.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Shim trailer

I don't see an issue at all in doing what you plan on doing. Will be interesting to see the photos.

If you supported your trailer with jack stands towards the axle side of where the tongue attaches, can you move it up and down by grabbing the front of the tongue?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Shim trailer

I am trying to figure out where you want to shim this. If its where the Ubolts are at the rear of the tongue, it would seem to me, that would make your problem worse.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Shim trailer

top of tongue front of trailer

 

[agallant80]

Re: Shim trailer

Here is a better photo of what I am talking about. The bolt in the red circle is not exactly on center of the beam. Then the beam is bolted to the trailer via the u-bolts (red arrow) its causing the beam to tilt up. What I want to do is to add some shims under the beam where the red arrow is to tilt the beam back down and not have this crazy heignt to the toungh which is making it difficult to level the trailer and connect/disconnect it.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Shim trailer

Here is a better photo of what I am talking about. The bolt in the red circle is not exactly on center of the beam. Then the beam is bolted to the trailer via the u-bolts (red arrow) its causing the beam to tilt up. What I want to do is to add some shims under the beam where the red arrow is to tilt the beam back down and not have this crazy heignt to the toungh which is making it difficult to level the trailer and connect/disconnect it.

View attachment 229038

Ayuh,.... So take the u-bolts off, 'n shim it to wherever ya want, 'n put the u-bolts back in,...
Ya might need new, longer u-bolts to get where ya wanta be,...

Personally, I think yer gettin' too anal, 'bout bein' level,...

 

[agallant80]

Re: Shim trailer

Ayuh,.... So take the u-bolts off, 'n shim it to wherever ya want, 'n put the u-bolts back in,...
Ya might need new, longer u-bolts to get where ya wanta be,...

Personally, I think yer gettin' too anal, 'bout bein' level,...

More than likely I am but its the toy I like to tinker with.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Shim trailer

Well yep that would work just fine BUT it isn't gonna make the trailer tow any better and you will have a little more chance of dragging the back if you have a dip or bad driveway (gas station etc.) to traverse.

I think I'd leave it alone but if you want to shim it it wouldn't hurt anything.
If you DO shim it make sure you figure out something to keep the shims from working their way out.

On a side note I see the trailer tongue is adjustable ..... Looks like you could stand to shorten it a notch and MIGHT not need to shim it then.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Shim trailer

That's exactly where I though you wanted to shim but didn't understand the configuration you have there. The new picture helps a lot.I would shim If it was my trailer too but I agree that you need somethingto hold them in place.

Out of curiosity, is that piece that the tongue sits on(the part where you want to put the shims on) bent down at all?

I would only be shortening the tongue if the tongue weight wasn't high enough.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Shim trailer

He could adjust axles if needed to manage tongue weight.... shortening the trailer would make it easier to maneuver in tight spaces. Fewer wide turns. Also make sure the bolt isn't worn down as that could be BAD if it sheared while cruising down the road.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Shim trailer

...Also make sure the bolt isn't worn down as that could be BAD if it sheared while cruising down the road.

The bolt through the front of the tongue may have been centered at one time.
Inspect the forward bolt to make sure it is not half worn through.
If the bolt was slightly loose it may have worn a slot into the tongue.

Place a jack-stand near the U-Bolts at the rear of the tongue and then loosen the forward bolt.
Crank up the trailer jack an push down on the coupler end of the tongue.
If the tongue comes back down to level, a proper repair to the tongue is in order.
Welding a steel tube through the tongue where the slot/hole is, would fix it once and for all.

Instead of shimming up the rear, lower the front.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Shim trailer

Couple questions
1) What is your tongue weight for that huge boat and 2 spares hanging over it?
2) More of a comment, but a single bolt in the front holding the side rails to the tongue would just scare the heck out of me with that much weight on it.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Shim trailer

2) More of a comment, but a single bolt in the front holding the side rails to the tongue would just scare the heck out of me with that much weight on it.

If that's a 1/2" Grade 2 bolt, the shear strength is likely over 6000#...and that's probably a low number.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Shim trailer

If that's a 1/2" Grade 2 bolt, the shear strength is likely over 6000#...and that's probably a low number.

Still, impact and potential bolt thinning at a single point like that makes me cringe.