Zeppe807 wrote:
Ok, ok…
So like I said I took some weight off the back and put some in the front… I made some other changes and there was an improvement.
I also ran by a friend’s house for some benchtop engineering and a tongue weight load cell.
So the breakdown:
Front Tire Pressure: 45 psi (last trip: 50psi)
Rear Tire Pressure: 50 psi
Air Bags: 15psi (last trip: 8psi)
WD Bars: 3 loose links (last trip: 2)
*emptied all holding tanks (last trip: full water tank)
*moved my wood box and fire pit from the rack to my truck: ~200 + pounds
*moved my BBQ from the rack to my truck: ~30lbs
*moved the spare tire from the rack to my truck: ~40lbs?
*moved heavy stuff from truck to around the front bed in the trailer: heavy logging chains, chain come-a-long, HD truck tire chains (Front & Rear), Trailer tire chains, bottle jacks, second WDH, multiple hitches, two tool boxes, ice chest, & misc heavy gear in a large container: ~400+ pounds
Once I got home from my friend’s house with the load cell I checked the tongue weight before we unloaded.
Top of Ball: 22.5” in current form
Top of Ball W/O Bars: 20.75”
Top of Ball W/O trailer and with 15psi: 23.5”
This is what everyone wants to know…
1200 Pounds initially, after 1 min of settling: 1300 Pounds. (I tested it at two heights (same results), and 1PSI = 1 pound of force)
The trailer handled better. But it was still not right. Anything passing larger than a truck still sent the trailer and truck fishtailing.
And how we left the campgrounds.
If I have to add 400+ pounds to the front of the trailer on the bedroom floor, or tractor weight like my wife said to the tongue, just to travel; then there is something inherently wrong with the design of the trailer.
On my list:
1) weigh truck and trailer
2) weigh tongue (in multiple scenarios)
3) try different truck tires
4) my wife says sell and get a 5er as I write... (I still don't know where she's getting all this money)
5) Check trailer ***caster*** (edit: camber)
6) Check truck caster and camber
Thanks,
Joe Zeppe
While there has been some very good advice here, I think too often we tend to think of weight first.
When your car or truck starts handling badly weight is not the first thing you think of. First you start looking at the suspension and this is what I think you should do on your trailer. And while weight is very important I still believe you will find your problem is mechanical in nature.
Try some of these:
Your trailer is used: weak or broken springs, Corroded Spring Hangars and pivots. Corroded/worn equalizer. Go through the entire suspension and inspect carefully and replace.
Put shocks on your trailer. This will go a long way to counteract movement that will lead to swaying.
(And frankly ALL trailers over about 20' ought to COME WITH shocks from the factory.)
Make sure your axle U Bolt Nuts are tight and torqued correctly.
Get the trailer aligned at a professional trailer repair shop for Tractor Trailers. (my previous post) Balance all the wheels and make sure the tires dont have any tread separation.
DON"T listen to your wife.
