Tahoe Trailer Scraping

[timmyt19]

I purchased a 2010 Tahoe Q4 and one of the problems that we noticed is with the trailer. When we are parked on flat ground the back of the trailer sits about 2? above the ground. Needless to say we cannot go over any speed bumps or over significant incline changes without damage to the trailer. Anyone else run into this issue or have any potential solutions?

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: Tahoe Trailer Scraping

I noticed the same thing when I was looking at a couple of Tahoe's last spring. I think it makes them look great on the trailer, but I was wondering how many times the trailer grounded itself.

The only thing I can think of that would be easy is to look and see if the axle runs above the leaf spring pack. If so, it MIGHT be possible to run the axel under the spring pack to get another couple inches. Beyond that I would think you're talking about new (longer arch) springs, or longer shackles. Hopefully others will have more suggestions. Good luck with it.

 

[Cannondale]

Re: Tahoe Trailer Scraping

Is the trailer level front to rear when hitched to your tow vehicle? Almost sounds like your hitch ball is too high and you need a new ball mount with more drop.

 

[boatfish]

Re: Tahoe Trailer Scraping

Common with tahoe trailers. just lower the hitch on your tow vehicle so the tongue is pointed down on the trailer.. Thats about all you can do.

 

[timmyt19]

Re: Tahoe Trailer Scraping

Thanks for the great feedback! Below are my initial responses to the reply's so far:

"The only thing I can think of that would be easy is to look and see if the axle runs above the leaf spring pack. If so, it MIGHT be possible to run the axel under the spring pack to get another couple inches. Beyond that I would think you're talking about new (longer arch) springs, or longer shackles. Hopefully others will have more suggestions. Good luck with it."

This is a recommendation that I got from a fellow boater and think this may be what I need to do to move forward. The axel is currently above the leaf spring pack so I may be able to insert a spacer or run the axel under.

"Is the trailer level front to rear when hitched to your tow vehicle? Almost sounds like your hitch ball is too high and you need a new ball mount with more drop."

I have tried with the hitch up and down. Unfortunately it did not make enough of a difference. There are several ribs that run the length of the trailer so even if you hinge it up front the center brace stays at the same level...

 

[Robbabob]

Re: Tahoe Trailer Scraping

Timmy,

I"m not sure you understood the second point. You need a lower ball mount to offset the height of the tow vehicle to the trailer.

Imagine a tow vehicle hitch (ball) that is 4' off the ground... they'd need an offset mount of approximately 30". In your case, you may need a 4" or more drop.

Adjust your trailer tongue jack so your trailer is completely horizontal/level. Move your tow vehicle ball near your trailer and measure the height difference. That is the amount of ball offset you need.

If you think about it, anything you towed before will need the added offset for your new ride.

Good luck!

 

[Reel Kahuna]

Re: Tahoe Trailer Scraping

Swap to taller rims/tires. Go from 14" to 16" rims/tires.

 

[timmyt19]

Re: Tahoe Trailer Scraping

Timmy,

I"m not sure you understood the second point. You need a lower ball mount to offset the height of the tow vehicle to the trailer.

Imagine a tow vehicle hitch (ball) that is 4' off the ground... they'd need an offset mount of approximately 30". In your case, you may need a 4" or more drop.

Adjust your trailer tongue jack so your trailer is completely horizontal/level. Move your tow vehicle ball near your trailer and measure the height difference. That is the amount of ball offset you need.

If you think about it, anything you towed before will need the added offset for your new ride.

Good luck!

Robb,

I understood, however, that did not do anything for me. Currently I have the hitch rigged so that the trailer is perfectly flat, but the problem is there is also a cross bar that connects one side of the trailer to the other almost immediately between the tires. I could move the hitch higher or lower by a foot, which would make a significant impact on the rear of the trailer, but since it will pivot arount the tires it will have no impact on that center bar. I need a method by which to lift both of the crossbars higher off the ground. I have considered doing it with tires, but there is very limited room in the wheel well which would not give me much lift...

 

[Reel Kahuna]

Re: Tahoe Trailer Scraping

Robb,

... I have considered doing it with tires, but there is very limited room in the wheel well which would not give me much lift...

Those fender wells are either bolted or welded on and can be either unbolted or the weld ground off. Then try a set of larger rims/tires to see if it'll solve your clearance problem. If not then I'd suggest installing swivel casters on the back of the trailer.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Tahoe Trailer Scraping

20101 Tahoe Q4:

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Tahoe Trailer Scraping

Moving to larger wheels/tires you could have a problem with fender spacing. Fenders not wide enough, not long enough or too low.

The easiest way to solve your problem is to flip the axle under the springs. Though, you might have to add new spring perchs to do so.

 

[kailec00]

Re: Tahoe Trailer Scraping

I have almost the same issue. I hit ground when I back the boat up into the drive way. I solved that easy enough with ramps on one side. I have been over a lot of speed bumps and have not come close to dragging bottom. Do I understand correctly that you are grounding out with the cross bar right behind the tire?

 

[timmyt19]

Re: Tahoe Trailer Scraping

I have almost the same issue. I hit ground when I back the boat up into the drive way. I solved that easy enough with ramps on one side. I have been over a lot of speed bumps and have not come close to dragging bottom. Do I understand correctly that you are grounding out with the cross bar right behind the tire?

kailec00...thank you for the response. I have it down where if I pull into my driveway just right I dont scrape but am concerned that when we go to pick friends up that I may damage their driveways with the boat turning it around if necessary.

I have yet to ground out the bars when I go over a speed bump, however, only had to go over ones that are very long and not very high. I am concerned that when I go over a speedbump that is much shorter and higher I wil bottom out. Intentionally go out of my way to avoid them but am worried one day I go to get gas I am going to run across them.

 

[kailec00]

Re: Tahoe Trailer Scraping

See the Tahoe section, I responded to you there also. Will continue to do so in that forum. However you should not need to worry about speed bumps, I have hit plenty and do not ground out. The cross bar behind the wheel raises up as the wheels do and gives it more clearance. It would have to be a big steep speed bump to catch on when going over it.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Tahoe Trailer Scraping

I'd do the axle under the spring trick myself. That would be the easiest overall and would give you probably 3" additional clearance. Just remember to remove the brake backing plates and rotate them 180 to keep the brake cylinder on top. Piece of cake.

 

[swflhummer]

Re: Tahoe Trailer Scraping

We have the same issue with our Trailer that the Tige sits on... Especially in TN living on Mountains, we had to leave it parked in the street because we could not get it turned up our drive way without damaging the driveway/street more than our trailer. Even turning onto our road it scraped reallllyy bad.

What we thought about doing is just making the planks up higher, then cutting the part that is dragging and just refab it up a few inches. We were unsure of how it would ride with the boat up higher. This is why we just left it.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Tahoe Trailer Scraping

There are a couple of things one can do in this situation -- unfortunately both involve a little cash. If the trailer has a drop axle, replace it with a straight, cambered axle. That gains about 4 inches in height. If that's not an option, you can reposition the axle below the springs (if it is currently above them) but in most cases you need to add new spring perches or cut off the old ones and flip them. You CANNOT flip the axle (if its a straight axle) because most are cambered -- meaning it has an upward bow in it at the center. Taller wheels and tires only gain 1/2 the difference in diameter of the tire you switch to. In the grand scheme of things, replacing the axle is not a big dollar item when compared to other "boat stuff".

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Tahoe Trailer Scraping

I think I would swap the axle

 

[mike343]

Re: Tahoe Trailer Scraping

2010 boat--take it back to the dealer! Eight yeas ago when I was shopping Tahoe was seriously skimping on trailer GW--5000lb GW trailer under a 22ft deckboat with a 5.7. Might be legal to drive it out of dealer's lot, but a gallon or so of gas would put it over the limit. ( The 5 Kip rating was total gross weight not load capacity). Called the factory and they insisted the boat weight was 2700 lbs. Absolute nonsense for a 22 ft deckboat. It was the hull weight w/o engine.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Tahoe Trailer Scraping

There are a couple of things one can do in this situation -- unfortunately both involve a little cash. If the trailer has a drop axle, replace it with a straight, cambered axle. That gains about 4 inches in height. If that's not an option, you can reposition the axle below the springs (if it is currently above them) but in most cases you need to add new spring perches or cut off the old ones and flip them. You CANNOT flip the axle (if its a straight axle) because most are cambered -- meaning it has an upward bow in it at the center. Taller wheels and tires only gain 1/2 the difference in diameter of the tire you switch to. In the grand scheme of things, replacing the axle is not a big dollar item when compared to other "boat stuff".

Good point about cambered axles. Taking it to the local trailer fab shop to get the job done right is the best move, probably $300+ bucks but much cheaper than a new lower unit or other damage. We can only guess what possessed the original trailer fabricator to hang the boat that low, maybe thinking of launch ease. But the real world of where you boat and how you use it prevails. Spend the bucks and cut the aggravation. You'll be happier.