Silvertip
Supreme Mariner
- Joined
- Sep 22, 2003
- Messages
- 28,770
With all that has been tried, I seriously doubt this is a suspension/tire/spring/axle issue. Over the years many cars and trucks have had dead weight added to spring leaves, transmission mounts, engine mounts, and exhaust systems to cancel harmonic issues which I feel this trailer suffers from. Things to try would be:
1) Use a long ratchet strap and run it side to side around the frame rails are various positions in an attempt to cancel those vibrations.
2) Attach heavy weights (5 pounds or so) at various points on the trailer. Don't mount them permanently but fashion a secure mount so it can be quickly moved.
3) Install these weights on the axle near the spring perch and try moving toward the center.
4) Have someone watch the trailer frame and boat position as the winch cable/strap is tightened. It may be the boat is not sitting squarely on the bunks/rollers.
5) Many trailers have just a couple of cross members so the trailers really flex. Consider adding another cross member -- after considerable study of course.
6) Try removing the fenders. They are sometimes mounted on flimsy brackets that can vibrate like crazy.
7) Getting back to wheel bearings. Proper adjustment is to have .005 - .010 inch slop in the bearing. Running them at zero clearance or excessive clearance can cause vibration. That clearance can barely be felt with the wheel off the ground, grasped at the 6 & 12 o-clock or 3 and 9 and rocking the wheel (push at 3, pull at 9 or push at 12 and pull at 6.) No clearance = bad. Barely felt = good. Sloppy loose = bad.
1) Use a long ratchet strap and run it side to side around the frame rails are various positions in an attempt to cancel those vibrations.
2) Attach heavy weights (5 pounds or so) at various points on the trailer. Don't mount them permanently but fashion a secure mount so it can be quickly moved.
3) Install these weights on the axle near the spring perch and try moving toward the center.
4) Have someone watch the trailer frame and boat position as the winch cable/strap is tightened. It may be the boat is not sitting squarely on the bunks/rollers.
5) Many trailers have just a couple of cross members so the trailers really flex. Consider adding another cross member -- after considerable study of course.
6) Try removing the fenders. They are sometimes mounted on flimsy brackets that can vibrate like crazy.
7) Getting back to wheel bearings. Proper adjustment is to have .005 - .010 inch slop in the bearing. Running them at zero clearance or excessive clearance can cause vibration. That clearance can barely be felt with the wheel off the ground, grasped at the 6 & 12 o-clock or 3 and 9 and rocking the wheel (push at 3, pull at 9 or push at 12 and pull at 6.) No clearance = bad. Barely felt = good. Sloppy loose = bad.
