Whipping Trailer!

[merc200]

Hello, I have a 1977 Mark Twain 18.5 bowrider with a 1976 twin axle shorelander trailer. It has 13" wheels and they set out just wider than the boat. I can't lift the tongue so it is probably over 200 lbs tongue weight at least. When I pull it down the road with my 2003 F250, it pulls straight as an arrow......however....when I hook it onto my 1998 Yukon, it whips like crazy going down hills at speeds greater than 55 mph. Both the Yukon and F250 have the same hitch height and the only difference is that the Yukon is only a 1/2 ton and has a shorter wheel base. Even though the Yukon is a 1/2 ton, it doesn't squat it down any more than on the 3/4 ton pickup......only an inch or two. This deal has me baffled! Please Help!

 

[Yepblaze]

Re: Whipping Trailer!

Sounds like you need to talk to your alignment mechanic and explain the situation.<br /><br />Perhaps the Yukon has it's toe in (or something) effected when trailering and needs to be adjusted acordingly.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Whipping Trailer!

Sound exactly like a weight distribution problem. I don't have any experience with tandem axle trailers but at least for single axle you describe a problem that would be caused by too much weight forward. Either a loading problem or axle placement problem. The shorter wheelbase vehicle would react sooner than the longer wheelbase vehicle. It would also be my impression that a tandem axle trailer should be a little more weight balanced than you describe. For an experiment try loading some heavy weight in the back of the boat and test drive it with your Yukon. That will tell the story.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Whipping Trailer!

I think Boomyal is Right On........<br /><br />You Should have 10/12% of the weight on the hitch.........<br />Sounds like it's Tongue Heavy.........<br /><br />With the Lighter Truck, the Tail is Wagging the Dog.......

 

[merc200]

Re: Whipping Trailer!

Thanks- I'm going to weigh it today and find out exactly how much the boat and trailer weighs and what the tongue weight is. I'll get to the bottom of this.......

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: Whipping Trailer!

Please post your techniques and results. Interesting problem.

 

[merc200]

Re: Whipping Trailer!

I went to the local grain elevator today and weighed my boat. The tongue weighed 240 lbs. The whole boat and trailer weighs 3590 lbs with all my gear. That makes the tongue weight 6.7% of the total weight of the boat and trailer......definitely not too much tongue weight!

 

[DJ]

Re: Whipping Trailer!

Too little tongue weight.

 

[gss036]

Re: Whipping Trailer!

Is it possible that you have one of the new Yukons with 4 wheel steering and that it affecting the trailer. Your short wheel base could also add to the problem. Going down the hill could add a lot of extra weight to the front of the boat if you have you fuel/water tanks up front. Sure sounds like the boat is driving the tow rig.<br />Do you have surge brakes on the trailer? Are they working?

 

[Bass Runner]

Re: Whipping Trailer!

To light in front and pulling almost 2 tons of boat behind a 1/2 ton pickup (i wouldn't do it) boat almost weighs as much as the truck. did that with a jeep one time (MAJOR JACKKNIFE)

 

[datawire]

Re: Whipping Trailer!

Merc you absolutely have too little weight on the tongue. The heavier engine and suspension in your F250, along with the longer wheelbase, makes the problem manageable.<br />Bass Runner - I pull a 5 ton Travel trailer with my 1/2 ton Yukon XL and never have a problem. But... I use an equalizer hitch!

 

[jlshields]

Re: Whipping Trailer!

Try increasing the air pressure in your Yukon tires....try the simple things FIRST!!!<br />Bassrunner, I tow an 8000# cabin cruiser with a 1/2 ton without a w/d hitch and no problems.

 

[Denis Kansier Sr.]

Re: Whipping Trailer!

I think the answer is 'too little' tounge weight. I had an experience once of a 'whipping' trailer and the trailer shop went over all I did and concluded that I had too little weight on the tounge and this caused the trailer to 'steer' my vehicle. Thye recommended 10-15% on the tounge, that solved the whipping.

 

[xltier]

Re: Whipping Trailer!

it is to little tongue weight.that always happens when u load a car trailer with the car on backwards.took me off the turnpike and into the guard rail it whipped so hard.hth

 

[Bass Runner]

Re: Whipping Trailer!

Originally posted by jlshields:<br /> Try increasing the air pressure in your Yukon tires....try the simple things FIRST!!!<br />Bassrunner, I tow an 8000# cabin cruiser with a 1/2 ton without a w/d hitch and no problems.

I was talking about the safty issue, brakes, supension ect. I drove truck for 35 years now and have seen a lot of people injured and killed from overloading or pulling a trailer that the tow truck or car was not designed for. I am not saying you can't get away with it, i'm just saying it's dangerous.

 

[jlshields]

Re: Whipping Trailer!

Bass Runner, 'Get away with it??' Just because it's a 1/2 ton doesn't mean it's not equipped. My 1/2 ton truck is rated for more than I tow and I have brakes on all axles. The new Nissan and Ford 1/2 tons are rated at more than 9000#. All loaded semi trailers outweigh their tow wehicles by about 3 to 1.

 

[Bass Runner]

Re: Whipping Trailer!

You guys are missing my point, what I am talking about is for example someone with a light weight vehicle hauling say for instance a 16' cabover camper and towing for instance a 22' inboard boat, one that i saw was a pacer loaded to where you couldn't see out the windows pulling a fully loaded tandem axle U-Haul that ripped the bumper off and caused a 4 vehicle accident. Not what your particular truck is rated for, would you pull a 28' fifth wheel camper with a 20' boat behind your truck. Ok I'm through you guys have fun.

 

[JasonB]

Re: Whipping Trailer!

I see where you are going Bass Runner. After spending some time with my tandem axle trailer lately, I definetly think the problem is too little weight on the tongue. The likely softer rear suspension on the Yukon over the F-250 doesn't help matters either. The Yukon is just more sensative. Also, check to make sure the tongue is level. The change in angle between the hitch height of the 250 and the Yukon may be an issue as well. IF properly equipped adn Properly loaded (NOT overloaded), that Yukon should be more than adequate. <br /><br />I tow an almost identical load behing my '99 F-150 1/2 ton supercab and have ~350lbs tongue weight. She stays straight as an arrow. With electric brakes on the front axle, I have no problems hauling it to a stop.<br /><br />Bass Runner, as you say, it is the folks that load the vehicle to its max load capacity -or further-, add a 4000lb boat/trailer, then expect to drive down the interstate at 80 like they usually do. I seem to notice this activity more with SUV's than trucks, but what worries me is that many of the SUV's in previous years (Blazers and Explorers jump to mind) are based roughly on compact trucks (S10 and Ranger in this example). I own a '92 Ranger. It is a fun economical truck. I tow a 2000lb boat on occasion and it can push/pull me all over the road if I get in a hurry. I shake my head that this truck could be rated past 3k lbs. The newer one could be rated past 5k. I know there are some experienced trailer boaters that can drive those loads with safety, behind a smaller vehicle. My rule when I bought my truck is I didn't want to exceed 75% of its towing capacity. I'm under 60% in what is essentially a long wheel base truck. I like that margin of safety.<br /><br />It's all in proper setup (adequate vehicle and hitch equipment) for the job, then enough skill by the driver to drive it safely. I know some folks I would rather see towing a 27' boat with compact truck than some others that scare me towing an empty 4'X8' utility trailer. (yes I was being sarcastic about that comparison to emphasize my point about drivers. No one should tow a 27' boat with any compact truck I can think of!)

 

[DJ]

Re: Whipping Trailer!

As I said, too little tongue weight.<br /><br />There are probably a couple other factors too.<br /><br />1. The short overhang on the Yukon as opposed to the F-250.<br /><br />2. The Yukon's rear suspension is, I'm sure, more sensative.<br /><br />3. The Yukon has a shorter, total, wheelbase.<br /><br />4. The trailer may not be level. That gets back to hitch height which is easily remedied.<br /><br />The Yukon is PERFECTLY capable of towing that load. It just needs to be set up right.

 

[BillP]

Re: Whipping Trailer!

It's been said already...TOO LITTLE TONGUE WEIGHT. Radials or under inflated or over loaded tires make it worse. Don't wait to find out how bad it can get if you have an emergency stop. 3500lbs with light tongue weight will lift and push a full size Lincoln Towncar rear end sideways in a full blown stop at only 35 mph. Trailer brakes help but it still can happen. Been there and done it. Check your vehicle's max allowable tongue weight too.