Tandem axle trailer equalizer not equal

[jduck00]

I have a problematic tandem axle trailer. Below is a picture of the empty trailer. With the boat on the trailer the suspension is the same. The leading edge of the equalizer is only about an 1" off the ground with the boat on it. The boat is a Catalina 25' swing keel. I think boat comes in around the 5,500 lb mark.

The boat and trailer sat for years so I'm not ignoring the fact that the springs probably need to be replaced. I took some measurements and the distance on the hangers is off. Center to center from the front hanger to the equalizer pivot bolt is 29.5". From the center to the rear is 29". Both sides are the same. Has anyone seen this before? Is there a reason the distances would be different?

With the boat on the trailer, it is fairly balanced with probably 300-400 lbs on the tongue. It pulls well, but I've only taken to the lake and back once. I'm about to haul it 1400 miles and need to get the trailer up to it. This is the first tandem axle trailer that has given me problems like this.

 

[Blujay96]

Re: Tandem axle trailer equalizer not equal

Is the trailer setting parallel to the ground?

 

[Blujay96]

Re: Tandem axle trailer equalizer not equal

Is the trailer setting parallel to the ground? The measurement you give would mean the center pivot would only need to move a quarter inch. Are the leaf Springs the same center to center?

 

[jduck00]

Re: Tandem axle trailer equalizer not equal

The trailer is sitting fairly level. I can take a tape out and level it, but I've never seen the suspension move from where it is now. I measured all of the springs and they are all roughly 25.5" eye to eye. There aren't any tags on the springs, but they are all 4 leaf and at least look all the same. I haven't measured leaf thickness.

 

[jduck00]

Re: Tandem axle trailer equalizer not equal

If the spacing is off, I'll be trying to find a solution that doesn't involve moving the hangers. We have very few guys around here that can weld AL worth anything. Moving the hanger would be the last resort. Shorter shackles maybe? The trailer had a lot of thought put into it, sway control, extra bracing, ect and the manufacturer used decent parts. I'm planning on 4 new springs and hardware. The thing that is puzzling me is if the spacing was purpose built or just a really bad mistake by the builder.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Tandem axle trailer equalizer not equal

The trailer is sitting fairly level. I can take a tape out and level it, but I've never seen the suspension move from where it is now. I measured all of the springs and they are all roughly 25.5" eye to eye. There aren't any tags on the springs, but they are all 4 leaf and at least look all the same. I haven't measured leaf thickness.
We have very few guys around here that can weld AL worth anything.

Ayuh,... Welcome Aboard,... Is the equalizer Seized on it's center bolt,..??

Put a jack under it, 'n try to move it,...

That wagon sure looks like galvanized Steel, 'n not aluminum,...

 

[jduck00]

Re: Tandem axle trailer equalizer not equal

Yeah now that I'm looking at, it very well could be galvanized. Doesn't feel like galvanized. Now you got me double thinking myself Have go to check now. It would be a whole lot easier if it was. I've welded through that before. Makes some awfull fumes, but doable. I had the same thought on the equalizer. I pushed up on the springs with a 2x4 and they aren't seized. At this point, I'm going to replace the springs and put the boat on it. Then if its not right, I'll start moving hangers around. If I wasn't moving to FL in the next couple of months I wouldn't worry about. All the trailer has been used for is pulling the boat out for a little

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Tandem axle trailer equalizer not equal

you aren't likely to have to move any welded brackets... the trailer MUST be towed level... you need to raise or lower the hitch as needed to accomplish this... ALSO the tires MUST be the same size..... mismatched sized would cause this issue.... also of course as mentioned above the springs must be all the same... you can measure spring sag ith a string across both eye's and a tape in the center....

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Tandem axle trailer equalizer not equal

Whichever end of the trailer is to the right in that picture - jack it up.

 

[jduck00]

Re: Tandem axle trailer equalizer not equal

Will do. I've got some St Patty's beer to drink for now. That will have to wait till the am. Thanks for the suggestions so far guys.

 

[mla2ofus]

Re: Tandem axle trailer equalizer not equal

Measure the distance from the equalizer pivot bolt to each spring hanger bolt on centers.
Mike

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Tandem axle trailer equalizer not equal

upon studying the pics closer... the front of the trailer is to the left (look at the brake lines) and the rear (right) axle is also very close to the frame... the tires look to be the same size and I'm 99% sure that the ENTIRE problem is that the O/P is towing with too high of a hitch ... lifted truck maybe? or just not the propper drop ball mount for the trailer

 

[jduck00]

Re: Tandem axle trailer equalizer not equal

I let the trailer tongue down as far as it would go so that the back of the trailer was raised and watched the equalizer while I was doing it. The rear part against the frame did move, maybe a half inch off the frame. I've ordered new springs and hardware. At this point, I plan on replacing the springs and putting the boat on it and see how it does. If its not right after that, I think I will play with the shackle strap lengths and see if I can get it equal. Also ordered an adjustable drop hitch. Next time I pull it, I'll have the trailer good and level.

 

[TribalFlounder]

Re: Tandem axle trailer equalizer not equal

My trailer had that same problem, it's an '86 29 footer for a heavy old SeaRay. I pulled the bolts out of the shackles and found that all of the hardware was wallowed out. Replaced the shackles, equalizers, and bushings. Trailer leveled the equalizers first pull afterwards. Knocked out what sway I had on the highway as well.

 

[jduck00]

I thought I would update the post. I never did get the equalizer problem fixed. I replaced everything but the axles getting ready for the trip. springs, shackles, breaks, bearings... you name it I replaced it.

I'm going to have the distance on the rear springs corrected. When I put the boat back on the trailer with a crane, I moved it forward and backwards and nothing corrected the equalizers. I set it on the trailer about where it had been. I pulled it 1200 miles and it pulled well. The equalizers took a hell of beating. I don't know that they would have made it another few hundred miles.

So, it turns out the trailer was just a bad build.

 

[jduck00]

I thought I would update the post. I never did get the equalizer problem fixed. I replaced everything but the axles getting ready for the trip. springs, shackles, breaks, bearings... you name it I replaced it.

I'm going to have the distance on the rear springs corrected. When I put the boat back on the trailer with a crane, I moved it forward and backwards and nothing corrected the equalizers. I set it on the trailer about where it had been. I pulled it 1200 miles and it pulled well. The equalizers took a beating. I don't know that they would have made it another few hundred miles.

So, it turns out the trailer was just a bad build.