Whipping Trailer!

[merc200]

Re: Whipping Trailer!

The Yukon and F250 have the same hitch height as I stated in my original post. I will try moving the winch post forward on the trailer a bit to increase the tongue weight to 400 lbs or so....that would be 10% of the trailer's weight. Thanks to everyone for their help.

 

[DJ]

Re: Whipping Trailer!

merc200,<br /><br />The hitch height being equal between the two vehicles is not a factor. the point is that you want the trailer to be LEVEL (vehicle loaded) when hitched to the tow vehicle.

 

[merc200]

Re: Whipping Trailer!

The trailer is level on both the yukon and f250. It wasn't on the yukon at first because it had a 2" drop receiver, and the trailer was headed down-hill with that, so I flipped it upside-down and that made the trailer level as well as the same hitch height as the f250.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Whipping Trailer!

Merc,<br /><br />I think the solutions have been offered but I had a couple of thoughts to go with them. What kind of tires do you have on the Tahoe vs. the F250. My guess is they are closer to passenger type tires with a softer sidewall than those found on the truck. Are they getting a little old? I think you get the direction I going.<br /><br />I have been amazed by what bad tires can do to performance.

 

[plmbr]

Re: Whipping Trailer!

Goodday; - I see your having a problem with trailer swaying. if you look on the net at the Hidden Hitch web site they have a sway control system that works quite well. I use one on my boat trailer and camper cured my sway problem <br />If you try one let me know how it works. i'll keep looking at this site ....Plmbr

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Whipping Trailer!

There has to be some othe rissue than tongue weight, I have an 18' Bass Boat that totals with trailer at 2600 lbs. It has about 75 lbs. of tongue weight and it tows great behind my Ranger 4X4. 200 lbs, 400 lbs, is out of the question on a boat of that size. IMHO.<br /><br />After posting this, I see where the recomended tongue weight is suppose to be in the 10% of total weight range. That would mean that the tongue weight of my boat trailer should be 260 lbs. There is no way in He*l I would have that much tongue weight on my trailer. Every boat I have ever had, I could lift the tongue easily myself. My Ranger was so light, that I had to put a small sand bag on the bow when the fuel tanks were full. I have never had a problem with swaying on any boat I have ever owned.

 

[BassMan283]

Re: Whipping Trailer!

Originally posted by jlshields:<br /> 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.

A loaded semi is carrying more than half the gross weight on the tractor and the hitch is located over the drive axles. No comparison.<br /><br />My Grand Cherokee is rated for 6500# (fat chance) and has a fairly short wheelbase. My boat grosses about 1700 and was a little squirrely with 100# tongue weight. Manageable, but every curve was an adventure. I moved the axle and put about 170 on the tongue and it handles like a dream.

 

[merc200]

Re: Whipping Trailer!

Hi everybody. I fixed the problem. I slid the winch post ahead about 6 inches on my boat trailer which increased the tongue weight from 240 to 290. That did it. Now the trailer pulls straight as an arrow at all speeds behind the Yukon. Still can't believe what a difference 50 lbs made. Thanks to all for your help!