I pull my 1988 H23 with a 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee. I have the standard trailer. It's a scary thing pulling the boat down the road. It will start swaying most of the time around 50 MPH. I explored adding another axle but decided against it based on the advise from this web site. I checked the frame and axle for bends etc. Things looked good. The tires are properly inflated. I would appreciate any suggestions to correct the problem. Thanks Lee
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Make sure you have at least 10 percent tongue weight on your hitch. Run your rig across a commercial scale and make sure you know all your weights. Also, take a look at this link for more info on towing. http://kobernus.com/hunter260/travel/travel.html
George is right on. If you can lift the tongue without using the jack you are either a monster or you don't have 300lbs on the tongue. I had a bad experience the first time I pulled my H23 down the road. Not enough tongue weight. Be sure she is all the way forward on the trailer and shift anything moveable to the v berth. Don't leave the engine hanging off the motor mount for a lot of reasons. Move it forward with the battery and fuel or put it in the back of your truck. Strap her down to the trailer while you are at it, just for luck. You might want to double check the tires to make sure your tires are properly inflated as well. A low tire on one side will cause you some problems. If you have the vehicle for it you should be able to haul her along straight as an arrow at 60 or 65, maybe faster if you're a little nuts.
Center of Gravity
We have extensively trailered a Windstar 223 all over the eastern seaboard with a single axel trailer. The boat loaded weighs in at about 3,000 pounds. The only probem we have is that the 14 inch tires will overheat causing us to stop every 2 to 3 hours to let them cool off. Obviously a 2nd axle would help but first make sure that the center of gravity of the boat is sitting a little forward of the axle so that the tongue weight is about 10% or 300 pounds. You can move the axel back and forth or the bunks to balance the trailer out. Also check the height of the hitch ball so that the trailer sits level to the road or a little lower forward. we may go to a second axle to help with the tire temperature.
We have extensively trailered a Windstar 223 all over the eastern seaboard with a single axel trailer. The boat loaded weighs in at about 3,000 pounds. The only probem we have is that the 14 inch tires will overheat causing us to stop every 2 to 3 hours to let them cool off. Obviously a 2nd axle would help but first make sure that the center of gravity of the boat is sitting a little forward of the axle so that the tongue weight is about 10% or 300 pounds. You can move the axel back and forth or the bunks to balance the trailer out. Also check the height of the hitch ball so that the trailer sits level to the road or a little lower forward. we may go to a second axle to help with the tire temperature.
There is no standard trailer for the H23. There a couple of different models. I have a MagicTilt and sway only becomes a problem at 72 mph. Only two things I think of: are your trailer tires bias ply, and what is the weight of your Cherokee? I figure you have the tongue weight correct, the boat in the correct location on the trailer, and the load in the boat balanced.
good responese
You probably are are referring to the wing keel version with a KWS or Ken's Welding. Everyone hit all the points making sure the tongue weight is 10%, tires and so forth. Center of Gravity is also a big issue as it is higher than most and you will sway particulay when a tractor trailer passes you. One other thing to check is the alignment of the axel on the trailer frame. Measure from the back of the trailer to the axle itself on both sides. I am not sure you have brakes but if not and it starts to sway violently, accerlate first to pull out the sway and then brake slowly. Should you brake first, you may very well loose the entire rig. Some of the axles we were able to retrofit with brakes. Go to a traler place to see if can be done in the event that you do not have brakes. My experience is now nearing 3,000,000 miles of towing boats in my lifetime.
You probably are are referring to the wing keel version with a KWS or Ken's Welding. Everyone hit all the points making sure the tongue weight is 10%, tires and so forth. Center of Gravity is also a big issue as it is higher than most and you will sway particulay when a tractor trailer passes you. One other thing to check is the alignment of the axel on the trailer frame. Measure from the back of the trailer to the axle itself on both sides. I am not sure you have brakes but if not and it starts to sway violently, accerlate first to pull out the sway and then brake slowly. Should you brake first, you may very well loose the entire rig. Some of the axles we were able to retrofit with brakes. Go to a traler place to see if can be done in the event that you do not have brakes. My experience is now nearing 3,000,000 miles of towing boats in my lifetime.
Use a sway bar?
I used to pull a 21 foot San Juan on a single axel trailer with few problems. Recently, I bought a used travel trailer that did have some sway. After making sure that the tounge weight was in the 10% range, there was still sway. I added a sway bar and it pulls straight and well.It is a bar with adjustable friction drag. Kind of like a break for sideways motion. Talk to folks at a trailer supply place about it. The cost is around $100.00, or so.
I used to pull a 21 foot San Juan on a single axel trailer with few problems. Recently, I bought a used travel trailer that did have some sway. After making sure that the tounge weight was in the 10% range, there was still sway. I added a sway bar and it pulls straight and well.It is a bar with adjustable friction drag. Kind of like a break for sideways motion. Talk to folks at a trailer supply place about it. The cost is around $100.00, or so.
Tires
make sure you use trailer tires and not automobile tires. People often use 14" passenger car tires in place tires designed and rated specifically for trailers. Thats a no-no, passenger car tires have relatively soft sidewalls and inflation pressures of 28-36 psi. Trailer tires have stiff sidewalls and pressures around 50-80 psi. stiffer sidewalls and higher pressures run cooler.
make sure you use trailer tires and not automobile tires. People often use 14" passenger car tires in place tires designed and rated specifically for trailers. Thats a no-no, passenger car tires have relatively soft sidewalls and inflation pressures of 28-36 psi. Trailer tires have stiff sidewalls and pressures around 50-80 psi. stiffer sidewalls and higher pressures run cooler.
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