What makes a trailer start to sway?

[rwidman]

Re: What makes a trailer start to sway?

Originally posted by BoLin:<br /> We just brought home (to MD) a boat (20 ft Grady) that we purchased used in NJ. We did fine except whe a semi or especially a bus passed us. The sway was very scary, but we just eased up on the accelerator and were able to get through each episode.<br />If the sway only occurs with passing buses, should we make any of the adjustments mentioned above or are they not going to make a difference?

Get your tongue weight set correctly, make sure the trailer is level when connected to the tow vehicle, and make sure the tires are inflated to the maximum pressure indicated on the sidewalls.<br /><br />As for passing busses and trucks, you're not going to be able to outrun them so keep an eye on the reaw view mirror and let off the gas when you see them comming. The real fun is when they pass you on both sides at the same time going 80mph!

 

[HotLava]

Re: What makes a trailer start to sway?

Hello Everyone,<br /><br />I'm brand new to boating. I just purchased my first boat and I'm waiting to pick it up. I bought a new Xterra (5,000 tow limit) with the factory tow package.<br /><br />My question is this. What is the dealer's responsibility as far as setting up the trailer? I don't have a ball yet, do I purchase that when I pick up the boat so I know I am getting the correct one for the trailer? Is it the dealers job to balance the trailer to the 7-10% tongue weight for my hitch? <br /><br />Sorry for the newbie questions.

 

[DJ]

Re: What makes a trailer start to sway?

Is it the dealers job to balance the trailer to the 7-10% tongue weight for my hitch? <br />

It should be but that doesn't make it so.<br /><br />If your boat is 5000 pounds or under, the ball size will be 2".<br /><br />I hope your not just using a bumper hitch.

 

[HotLava]

Re: What makes a trailer start to sway?

So I an safely purchase a 2" ball without worrying about the trailer side?<br /><br />No, not using a bumper hitch. It's the factory tow that attaches to the frame. Class IV.<br /><br />The dealer said they balance the trailer. Is that the same thing?<br /><br />Thank you

 

[QC]

Re: What makes a trailer start to sway?

They should sell a balanced deal, but like DJ pointed out, I wouldn't count on it. I got screwed on my first trailer and it was with a new boat. The bunks were too short, basically the whole trailer was too small. The only way to fix it was to move the boat forward which created a heavy tongue. There is another thread on this, I think it is titled bunks or something similar.<br /><br />My biggest concern to start would be the height of the ball and the correct adapter for the lights and possibly brakes. If it is a two axle trailer you can look at the relative height of the fender to the wheels to see if you are "flat", but basically just eyeing the whole rig is the best way to see if you have the tongue too high or too low. The wiring thing should be simple, but you could show up with the wrong setup or adapter.

 

[HotLava]

Re: What makes a trailer start to sway?

Thanks for the help everyone.

 

[rwidman]

Re: What makes a trailer start to sway?

You won't really know if you need a dropped ball mount until you get the boat connected to the tow vehicle. The trailer should be level when loaded and connected to the tow vehicle.<br /><br />BTW: My dealer did nothing to set up the trailer. The rollers were not even spaced the same distance from the centerline. And the trailer was undersized for the boat.

 

[blk]

Re: What makes a trailer start to sway?

Not to derail the thread but, does an anti-sway hitch really help all that much?

 

[BillP]

Re: What makes a trailer start to sway?

Originally posted by blk:<br /> Not to derail the thread but, does an anti-sway hitch really help all that much?

Yes!

 

[Nos4r2]

Re: What makes a trailer start to sway?

Top Gear over here did a test under controlled circumstances to see what was the best way to correct trailer sway. They deliberately overloaded the rear of a caravan, swerved to induce the pendulum effect, then tried to get out of it by accelerating or braking.This was done by a rally driver.<br /><br />They found that it didn't make a lot of difference to the penduluming doing either-but it DID make a difference to quite how bad the accident was-If you brake lightly and keep slowing til you're stopped then you're less likely to have an accident in the 1st place or trash your trailer-whereas if you accelerate hard and it don't fix it you're basically screwed.

 

[pilldok]

Re: What makes a trailer start to sway?

Trailers imbalanced with too little weight on the hitch of the tow vehicle have cost me one trailer and almost another.

 

[BUBBLES II]

Re: What makes a trailer start to sway?

I agree. Trailer should be level. Weight should be balanced. Sometimes, the axles are too far forward or too far back. Another thing. Alot of new trucks and SUVs now come with 17" -22" rims and extra-high ground clearance. Sometimes, the drop in the auto supply tongues is not low enough for level ride. You may need adjustable or custom made one. When trailers sway too much they can start to whip violently from side to side. It may only take a second or two to regain control, but that's too long. One fishtail can easily wipe out the car next to you.