Weight Distrubution and Sway Control for boat trailer
12-09-2009, 03:36 PM
#2
Registered
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Tampa,Fl
Posts: 589
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes!
We have used one towing a 42 Fountain and I must say that I am truly impressed. It improves the ride, handling of the truck. It also reduces any swaying of the trailer. I would highly recommend! By the way, once the kit is installed, removing the bars is a very quick process. No I do not sell these. The comments are from actual use.
We have used one towing a 42 Fountain and I must say that I am truly impressed. It improves the ride, handling of the truck. It also reduces any swaying of the trailer. I would highly recommend! By the way, once the kit is installed, removing the bars is a very quick process. No I do not sell these. The comments are from actual use.
12-09-2009, 03:37 PM
#3
Registered
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have never installed weight distribution or sway control on a boat trailer. Weight dist. is usually required when there is extreme tounge weight, and the tow vehicle's suspension is compressed too much. Sway bars also help when towing trailers in excess of 20' long, and 2 axels or less on the trailer.
Most of the larger boats are now trailered on tripple axel trailers, and the weight is distributed properly, and they tow/track very well. Also, boats dont usually have a lot of tounge weight since most of the weight is the engine and fuel.
Just my two cents...
Most of the larger boats are now trailered on tripple axel trailers, and the weight is distributed properly, and they tow/track very well. Also, boats dont usually have a lot of tounge weight since most of the weight is the engine and fuel.
Just my two cents...
Platinum Member
12-09-2009, 03:47 PM
#5
Registered
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: 273.76 miles from Havasu
Posts: 594
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have a 12K lb trailer with 1,400 lbs on the tongue (I put it on a truck scale). With the added leverage on the hitch, it really taxes the rear tires limits (unless you have a dually).
I installed a Reese WD setup, and when I re-weighed it on the truck scales, it had moved around 400 lbs to the front wheels.
Tows much better than before. The only downside is that you have to remove the bars for tight turns.
I installed a Reese WD setup, and when I re-weighed it on the truck scales, it had moved around 400 lbs to the front wheels.
Tows much better than before. The only downside is that you have to remove the bars for tight turns.
12-09-2009, 09:40 PM
#6
Registered
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Okanagan Falls BC. Canada
Posts: 596
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Read your car/truck owners manual for maximum tow capacity.
MAx capacity requires a WD hitch . Weight carrying hitches drop towing capacity considerably!
Example ; a 1998 Grand Cherokee has 6500lbs cap with WD hitch, 5000 with weight carrying.
MAx capacity requires a WD hitch . Weight carrying hitches drop towing capacity considerably!
Example ; a 1998 Grand Cherokee has 6500lbs cap with WD hitch, 5000 with weight carrying.
Last edited by spectras only; 12-09-2009 at 09:44 PM.
12-10-2009, 11:03 AM
#10
Charter Member
The same concept as a truss vs a rafter when both are supported at the ends (front tires and trailer tires) and in the middle (your rear truck tires/suspension). The rafter will bow under weight where the weight is applied putting more weight on the rear tires only, for discussion. It's easy to bounce the rafter up down, making it spongy on your rear tires and springs.
The truss won't deflect giving that bouncing feeling and will distribute more of that center force to the far ends, which would be your front tires and trailer tires for a more even weight distribution. The bars and chain in the WD setup a work on the same principle as the diagonal bracing in the trusses, basically. The wieght is always the same with or w/o the WD setup. You are just changing where it is.
The truss won't deflect giving that bouncing feeling and will distribute more of that center force to the far ends, which would be your front tires and trailer tires for a more even weight distribution. The bars and chain in the WD setup a work on the same principle as the diagonal bracing in the trusses, basically. The wieght is always the same with or w/o the WD setup. You are just changing where it is.
__________________
Some people are like Slinkies - Not really good for anything, but they
bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs.
Some people are like Slinkies - Not really good for anything, but they
bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs.
Last edited by US1 Fountain; 12-10-2009 at 11:11 AM.
