I tow my 235 with a 2002 Chevy 1500. I think this is enough truck. The problem I have is when I hit even a slight roll in the road (light dip) the back of the truck and the front of the boat bounce up and down several times. It reminds me of a car with worn out shocks. I tried slowing, this had no effect. The road between my house and the boat ramp is extremely uncomfortable and I drive it at 35 mph. I am considering adding “Ride Control” an air bag system to stiffen my truck. Is this going to fix my problem? (Note the 235 has a single axle) Help please Russell
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Sounds like You Need More Tounge Weight
I tow mine with a Gran Marquis and have never noticed the same thing. One big difference I did notice was if the bow is not all the way up into the bow chock and drawn tight the trailer will flex quite a bit. That may be contributing to what you are experiencing.
I tow mine with a Gran Marquis and have never noticed the same thing. One big difference I did notice was if the bow is not all the way up into the bow chock and drawn tight the trailer will flex quite a bit. That may be contributing to what you are experiencing.
Tongue weight
Our 260 is balanced enough on the trailer that when parked and unhooked from the vehicle, you can nearly lift the tongue off the ground by standing on the aft swim ladder. When trailering, it behaves exactly as you describe, unless I fill the forward water tank. Then it behaves. You can use a pair off bathroom scales (spanned by a board) to weigh the tongue, or just assume it needs more weight and move something forward inside the boat.
Our 260 is balanced enough on the trailer that when parked and unhooked from the vehicle, you can nearly lift the tongue off the ground by standing on the aft swim ladder. When trailering, it behaves exactly as you describe, unless I fill the forward water tank. Then it behaves. You can use a pair off bathroom scales (spanned by a board) to weigh the tongue, or just assume it needs more weight and move something forward inside the boat.
Towing
You should have about 8 to 10 percent tongue weight. This helps avoid swaying. The bouncing up and down sounds like bad shocks.
You should have about 8 to 10 percent tongue weight. This helps avoid swaying. The bouncing up and down sounds like bad shocks.
not enough tongue weight
I agree - your problem sounds like not enough tongue weight on the trailer. Make sure the boat is all the way forward, and if so, see about moving the bow mount forward some. You shouldn't be able to lift the tongue by hand (barely). Regarding enough truck, my Nissan Frontier V6 towes my Hunter 23 well and it weighs more than the 23.5. However, I plan to add some airlift springs to the rear because the tail squats substantially on my truck with the boat hitched.
I agree - your problem sounds like not enough tongue weight on the trailer. Make sure the boat is all the way forward, and if so, see about moving the bow mount forward some. You shouldn't be able to lift the tongue by hand (barely). Regarding enough truck, my Nissan Frontier V6 towes my Hunter 23 well and it weighs more than the 23.5. However, I plan to add some airlift springs to the rear because the tail squats substantially on my truck with the boat hitched.
Where is your engine?
If your engine is hanging on the stern you might try putting it in the back of the truck instead... That should give you some more tongue weight and might distribute the load better for your truck?
If your engine is hanging on the stern you might try putting it in the back of the truck instead... That should give you some more tongue weight and might distribute the load better for your truck?
Tongue weight and shocks
Tongue weight is 316 lbs. I checked it with a bathroom scale. I believe this rig is about 3000 to 3500 lbs. That puts me very near the 10% recommended tongue weight. The shocks seem strong enough. The truck has only 40,000 miles and here in Texas it is very flat. They hold the truck fine with out a load. When I put the trailer on it drops two inches. (Yes I measured it.) Is that two inches more than acceptable? It looks like my receiver is still too high. With the boat off the truck and just on its wheel I get the trailer level at about 9 inches of tongue height. Loaded on the truck it is at about 11 inches. Could this be part of my problem? Russell
Tongue weight is 316 lbs. I checked it with a bathroom scale. I believe this rig is about 3000 to 3500 lbs. That puts me very near the 10% recommended tongue weight. The shocks seem strong enough. The truck has only 40,000 miles and here in Texas it is very flat. They hold the truck fine with out a load. When I put the trailer on it drops two inches. (Yes I measured it.) Is that two inches more than acceptable? It looks like my receiver is still too high. With the boat off the truck and just on its wheel I get the trailer level at about 9 inches of tongue height. Loaded on the truck it is at about 11 inches. Could this be part of my problem? Russell
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