As another article states, I too have had a sway problem with my trailer . I pull my 23 with a Jeep Cherokee and Thought it may be a little light. I have thought of adding another axle, but I want to get to the root of the problem. Any thoughts on tandom vs toungue weight, and has anyone installed trailer brakes?
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Dave Condon
Trailer
The boat is a wing keel that sits high on the trailer and thus the center of gravity is high which can cause sway. Several things you might want to consider. Moving the boat up forward on the trailer if the trailer tongue is too light. Addition of trailer brakes is a good idea and suggest that you go to a trailer place since they will have the parts as it will be difficult to get parts at the auto store. The trailer axle is different than those found on cars and trucks. Do not go over 45 with the wing keel 23 for safety purposes unless you know how to tow. In thebeginning, I experienced swaying trailers too. If you start to loose it and you do not have brakes, I found that suddenly braking could cause to loose the trailer. I would accelerate to pull the swaying out and then brake easily. You have to decide based on the situation. Crazy Dave
The boat is a wing keel that sits high on the trailer and thus the center of gravity is high which can cause sway. Several things you might want to consider. Moving the boat up forward on the trailer if the trailer tongue is too light. Addition of trailer brakes is a good idea and suggest that you go to a trailer place since they will have the parts as it will be difficult to get parts at the auto store. The trailer axle is different than those found on cars and trucks. Do not go over 45 with the wing keel 23 for safety purposes unless you know how to tow. In thebeginning, I experienced swaying trailers too. If you start to loose it and you do not have brakes, I found that suddenly braking could cause to loose the trailer. I would accelerate to pull the swaying out and then brake easily. You have to decide based on the situation. Crazy Dave
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Greg Stebbins
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Jon Bastien
short wheel base
I agree with Dave about tongue weight, and moving the boat forward on the trailer (if possible) or adding weight forward of the trailer axle (outboard motor moved to the front of trailer, or supplies in the V-berth) will also help the tongue weight issue. Another thing to think about is your tow vehicle. I used to tow with a Ford Explorer, but traded that in for a Ford Ranger- a vehicle with a MUCH longer wheelbase. The difference in towing characteristics was unbelievable! The trailer no longer tried to push the front end of the truck all over the road, and the sway problem was a LOT easier to control. With my Ranger, I was able to tow 900+ miles at speeds of 55-60 MPH, with a little sway only when being passed by the truckers. If I recall correctly, the Cherokee has about the same wheelbase as an Explorer... You may try a different tow vehicle. Oh, and install the brakes. I recommend the hydraulic surge brake variety; electric brakes and water immersion don't mix very well. I'm surprised your trailer doesn't have them already; I thought they were required in most states for trailers that weigh more than 2000 pounds (or is it 2500?). Either way, a H23 with enough gear aboard for a weekend is WELL over the 2500 pound restriction... Any trailer dealer or repair shop should be able to install brakes on your trailer; I had to replace the entire hydraulic surge-brake assembly for my trailer and it cost me about $500 at a local trailer shop for the parts (I did the work myself). This included replacing the hydraulic coupler, brake lines, hubs/brake shoes, drums, new bolts for everything, bearings, and bearing caps. I don't know about adding a second axle to the trailer; I've never towed anything with a tandem axle, so I can't offer any advice. Good luck, and let us know how what you decide and how it turns out! --Jon Bastien H23 '2 Sheets to the Wind'
I agree with Dave about tongue weight, and moving the boat forward on the trailer (if possible) or adding weight forward of the trailer axle (outboard motor moved to the front of trailer, or supplies in the V-berth) will also help the tongue weight issue. Another thing to think about is your tow vehicle. I used to tow with a Ford Explorer, but traded that in for a Ford Ranger- a vehicle with a MUCH longer wheelbase. The difference in towing characteristics was unbelievable! The trailer no longer tried to push the front end of the truck all over the road, and the sway problem was a LOT easier to control. With my Ranger, I was able to tow 900+ miles at speeds of 55-60 MPH, with a little sway only when being passed by the truckers. If I recall correctly, the Cherokee has about the same wheelbase as an Explorer... You may try a different tow vehicle. Oh, and install the brakes. I recommend the hydraulic surge brake variety; electric brakes and water immersion don't mix very well. I'm surprised your trailer doesn't have them already; I thought they were required in most states for trailers that weigh more than 2000 pounds (or is it 2500?). Either way, a H23 with enough gear aboard for a weekend is WELL over the 2500 pound restriction... Any trailer dealer or repair shop should be able to install brakes on your trailer; I had to replace the entire hydraulic surge-brake assembly for my trailer and it cost me about $500 at a local trailer shop for the parts (I did the work myself). This included replacing the hydraulic coupler, brake lines, hubs/brake shoes, drums, new bolts for everything, bearings, and bearing caps. I don't know about adding a second axle to the trailer; I've never towed anything with a tandem axle, so I can't offer any advice. Good luck, and let us know how what you decide and how it turns out! --Jon Bastien H23 '2 Sheets to the Wind'
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Scott Taylor
No sway here
We just finished trailering our 23.5 from Florida to Philadelphia (1200 miles) and didn't have a problem. We don't have the Hunter trailer though. We do have a dual axle and surge brakes. We were able to go up to 65 mph easily and it tracked very straight. Maybe the extra axle and brakes account for that? Hope the info. helps!
We just finished trailering our 23.5 from Florida to Philadelphia (1200 miles) and didn't have a problem. We don't have the Hunter trailer though. We do have a dual axle and surge brakes. We were able to go up to 65 mph easily and it tracked very straight. Maybe the extra axle and brakes account for that? Hope the info. helps!
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Russell
Swaying Trailer
A swaying trailer may also have a lot to do with how the boat is positioned on the trailer. If the boat is off balance, or is sitting to one side or the other, then you will get sway. When you load the boat, take the time to make sure its on the trailer straight. If so, I think its time for a longer wheel base. I don't think brakes will make a diffrence UNLESS you only have sway when braking. Russell s/v Summer Luvin'
A swaying trailer may also have a lot to do with how the boat is positioned on the trailer. If the boat is off balance, or is sitting to one side or the other, then you will get sway. When you load the boat, take the time to make sure its on the trailer straight. If so, I think its time for a longer wheel base. I don't think brakes will make a diffrence UNLESS you only have sway when braking. Russell s/v Summer Luvin'
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Russ King
The Law
Some (most?) states and provinces require trailer brakes. If you don't have trailer brakes, and have an accident (in a state where the brakes are required), you could be fined, sued, or both. And it won't matter whether the accident was your fault or not. The argument is that if your trailer is illegal, you should not have been on the road. If you were not on the road, the accident would not occur. You can't win, even if the other person was driving an unlicensed vehicle, or driving while prohibited. Re: sway. Check the tire pressure. Uneven tire pressure can cause sway. Check tongue weight. Tongue weight should be around 10% of your trailer weight (up to 500 pounds max, I think). Lots of smaller vehicles can pull a large boat/trailer, but the wear and tear will quickly age the vehicle. And you will void your warranty if you tow a heavier load than the vehicle is rated to tow. The rated tow weight (GCWR, or Gross Combined Weight Rating) includes vehicle weight, passengers, baggage, trailer, etc. In other words, everything! Lots of people make the mistake that because the dealer or salesman said the vehicle could tow 5000 pounds, that you can tow the 5000 pound boat, plus the kids, plus baggage, plus anchors, water, fuel, outboard, picnic tables, dinghy, canoe, kitchen sink, etc., etc., etc.
Some (most?) states and provinces require trailer brakes. If you don't have trailer brakes, and have an accident (in a state where the brakes are required), you could be fined, sued, or both. And it won't matter whether the accident was your fault or not. The argument is that if your trailer is illegal, you should not have been on the road. If you were not on the road, the accident would not occur. You can't win, even if the other person was driving an unlicensed vehicle, or driving while prohibited. Re: sway. Check the tire pressure. Uneven tire pressure can cause sway. Check tongue weight. Tongue weight should be around 10% of your trailer weight (up to 500 pounds max, I think). Lots of smaller vehicles can pull a large boat/trailer, but the wear and tear will quickly age the vehicle. And you will void your warranty if you tow a heavier load than the vehicle is rated to tow. The rated tow weight (GCWR, or Gross Combined Weight Rating) includes vehicle weight, passengers, baggage, trailer, etc. In other words, everything! Lots of people make the mistake that because the dealer or salesman said the vehicle could tow 5000 pounds, that you can tow the 5000 pound boat, plus the kids, plus baggage, plus anchors, water, fuel, outboard, picnic tables, dinghy, canoe, kitchen sink, etc., etc., etc.
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Jay Hill
Second Axle
Having pulled a trailer of some sort or another all of my driving life, I can tell you two axles are definitely better than one. Twice as much surface area on the road helps, but the fact that you now have two complete tire tracks to move makes the biggest difference. OTOH, the larger the tow vehicle the less it matters. All you have to do is decide if you like the Jeep or the boat. If you simply cannot part with either, try the second axle; it's cheaper than either a boat or a new tow vehicle, but remember, the extra axle, two wheels, two tires, and two extra brake assemblies will add no less than 200 # to the total weight (probably closer to 400#) Good luck.
Having pulled a trailer of some sort or another all of my driving life, I can tell you two axles are definitely better than one. Twice as much surface area on the road helps, but the fact that you now have two complete tire tracks to move makes the biggest difference. OTOH, the larger the tow vehicle the less it matters. All you have to do is decide if you like the Jeep or the boat. If you simply cannot part with either, try the second axle; it's cheaper than either a boat or a new tow vehicle, but remember, the extra axle, two wheels, two tires, and two extra brake assemblies will add no less than 200 # to the total weight (probably closer to 400#) Good luck.
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Chris
Question for Russ
Russ, You wrote: The argument is that if your trailer is illegal, you should not have been on the road. If you were not on the road, the accident would not occur. You can't win, even if the other person was driving an unlicensed vehicle, or driving while prohibited. I may be wrong, but I don't think this argument will hold water. Unless your trailer not having brakes contributed to the accident. First, if the other person was driving an unlicensed car, they shouldn't have been on the road anymore than you with an illegal trailer. Second, if what you're saying is correct, if I run a stop sign and hit you, but your inspection sticker is expired, or your brake lights were broken, then its immediately YOUR fault? That makes no sense at all, and I have never heard of any case like that. Can you site any precedents? I'm not trying to start a war, I'm just really curious if something like that has actually happened to anyone.... Chris
Russ, You wrote: The argument is that if your trailer is illegal, you should not have been on the road. If you were not on the road, the accident would not occur. You can't win, even if the other person was driving an unlicensed vehicle, or driving while prohibited. I may be wrong, but I don't think this argument will hold water. Unless your trailer not having brakes contributed to the accident. First, if the other person was driving an unlicensed car, they shouldn't have been on the road anymore than you with an illegal trailer. Second, if what you're saying is correct, if I run a stop sign and hit you, but your inspection sticker is expired, or your brake lights were broken, then its immediately YOUR fault? That makes no sense at all, and I have never heard of any case like that. Can you site any precedents? I'm not trying to start a war, I'm just really curious if something like that has actually happened to anyone.... Chris
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Sam Kurtz
Contributory Causation
Contributory Causation: the court may determine that part of the accident was because the brakes on the trailer did not function properly and put a percentage of the cause on that factor. That would then make the party operating the vehicle with the faulty equipment part of the tort.
Contributory Causation: the court may determine that part of the accident was because the brakes on the trailer did not function properly and put a percentage of the cause on that factor. That would then make the party operating the vehicle with the faulty equipment part of the tort.
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Tom
Archives!!
Guys, There are some good articles/advice in the archives too. this was discussed just a couple weeks ago. Search for "trailer sway" in the smaller boats archive, LOTS of stuff! Check the 2/08 string. Tom
Guys, There are some good articles/advice in the archives too. this was discussed just a couple weeks ago. Search for "trailer sway" in the smaller boats archive, LOTS of stuff! Check the 2/08 string. Tom
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