Go Back  Offshoreonly.com > General Discussion > Trucks, Trailers and Transportation
pendulum of death ...trailer guru needed !! >

pendulum of death ...trailer guru needed !!

Notices

pendulum of death ...trailer guru needed !!

Thread Tools
 
Old 09-25-2016 | 10:20 AM
  #1  
bigboatsrule's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Friendsville PA
Default pendulum of death ...trailer guru needed !!

:triple axle venture, just put all new bushings , tires and aligned it...towing with a 2500hd duramax and like the title says ...she swings alot sometimes pretty big...im guessing maybe the wheel set needs to go back farther ?? hauling a scarab thunder w twin 454 aprox 8500lbs fyi i drive a semi for a living... thoughts ??
bigboatsrule is offline  
Reply
Old 09-25-2016 | 10:27 AM
  #2  
F-2 Speedy's Avatar
Platinum Member
Community Builder
10 Year Member
Platinum Member
 
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 11,418
Likes: 3,938
From: Midwest & T-Rock
Default

Sounds like its trying to tricycle on ya, maybe a little more tongue weight ??.......
F-2 Speedy is offline  
Reply
Old 09-25-2016 | 10:30 AM
  #3  
Registered
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: Connecticut
Default

I have the same problem with my 2014 Shorelander duel axle. I have been told the wheel set needs to move back. Tongue weight is the answer.
mysweetone is offline  
Reply
Old 09-25-2016 | 11:02 AM
  #4  
Registered
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,787
Likes: 1,375
From: naples,florida
Default

Tongue weight should be at least 5% of the total load weight.

Also the trailer should ride level front to back, use the right combination of tow bar to achieve the desired height.
tommymonza is offline  
Reply
Old 09-25-2016 | 01:16 PM
  #5  
Sydwayz's Avatar
Forum Regulator
20 Year Member
Super Moderators
VIP Member
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 24,203
Likes: 1,592
From: Worldwide
Default

Take your loaded rig to a scale and get us 2 weights:

1) Total of boat on scale which hitched to truck. (trailer axles on scale, truck completely off of scale)
2) Drop the tongue jack on the scale, and lift the weight of the trailer completely off the ball. (entire weight of your towed load)

If you want to go even further, get individual truck axle weights too, when hitched to the boat, and then leave the boat in the lot and go back with just the truck only.

Before you do any of the above, make sure you have a hitch drawbar that makes the trailer sit level. Check with a level on the trailer frame rail.

As mentioned, I too suspect you have too little tongue weight. You may be able to adjust my moving the boat on the trailer, or you may have to shift the axles.

Most concerning: what kind of trailer brakes do you have? If you have a surge brake coupler; this mis-balance of weight distribution is going to really make an emergency braking situation, sketchy, in a hurry; if not worse.

EoH is ALWAYS a smart upgrade (if you don't have it already), unless you are pulling a 20 Baja with a 1-ton. (facetiously speaking on that last part)

Last edited by Sydwayz; 09-26-2016 at 03:30 PM. Reason: fixed type
Sydwayz is offline  
Reply
Old 09-26-2016 | 03:28 PM
  #6  
Registered
 
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,333
Likes: 1
From: Indy, St. Louis, LOTO
Default

Typo? Surely you mean too LITTLE tongue weight.
Chart is offline  
Reply
Old 09-26-2016 | 03:33 PM
  #7  
Sydwayz's Avatar
Forum Regulator
20 Year Member
Super Moderators
VIP Member
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 24,203
Likes: 1,592
From: Worldwide
Default

Originally Posted by Chart
Typo? Surely you mean too LITTLE tongue weight.
You are right, thanks for pointing that out.

But too much or too little tongue weight will make for a terrible towing experience.

Too much provides lift on the front of the tow vehicle making it very hard to control, likely understeer.
Too little means you have tail wagging the dog, and the pendulum action of the trailer moves the truck all over the place, sometimes even lifting the rear axle of the tow vehicle.
Sydwayz is offline  
Reply
Old 09-28-2016 | 04:31 PM
  #8  
bigboatsrule's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Friendsville PA
Default

thank you all...its good to see everyone agree this should be pretty easy to remedy
bigboatsrule is offline  
Reply
Old 09-28-2016 | 07:08 PM
  #9  
Registered
 
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 487
Likes: 23
From: Salisbury N.C.
Default

You need more hitch weight , how far down does the truck squat when you hook the boat? You also might need hitch anti sway bars.
dunnitagain is offline  
Reply
Old 09-29-2016 | 05:36 AM
  #10  
Registered
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,571
Likes: 0
From: Saint Petersburg Fl
Default

Like everyone above says, sounds like a case of too little tongue weight to me. Somewhere I have a goofy tongue weight digram whe you can use a bathroom scale to measure it if you can estimate the total towed weight. 5-10% is the goal .
happy hours is offline  
Reply


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.