Shimmy and shake single axle trailers

Lynnmor wrote:

mike-s wrote:
What works great is to lower the tongue with the jack, set the rear stabilizers, then raise the tongue to take a lot of weight off the axle. Finally, set the front stabilizers then let the weight off the jack. Much easier than trying to lift weight off the axle using just the stabilizers.

Now you have the trailer sitting on its four corners bending the he!! out of the frame. Bad advice.

You don't have to take all the weight off the axle, just a few 100 lbs should work, enough that the weight of a person walking around isn't making the suspension flex. Long as you're level, nothing should be bending or binding.

Something I'll have to try next time I'm out, good idea mike-s

mike-s wrote:
What works great is to lower the tongue with the jack, set the rear stabilizers, then raise the tongue to take a lot of weight off the axle. Finally, set the front stabilizers then let the weight off the jack. Much easier than trying to lift weight off the axle using just the stabilizers.

Now you have the trailer sitting on its four corners bending the he!! out of the frame. Bad advice.

What works great is to lower the tongue with the jack, set the rear stabilizers, then raise the tongue to take a lot of weight off the axle. Finally, set the front stabilizers then let the weight off the jack. Much easier than trying to lift weight off the axle using just the stabilizers.

If it's while parked... back up onto the tire chocks a little before chocking the other side of the tire (and disconnecting the truck). Tighten all the stabs twice, they can sink in and make sure they're using big pads.

There's tons of stuff that can be done, but why make setup and tear down take hours, for a weekend warrior it's not worth in IMHO - gotta develop sea legs, or big something bigger and much, much, much heavier.

I made some tripods that give the stabilizers a little help -- our trailer is lifted. Here is a link:

Tripods

If it was while towing, he may have too much weight on the rear of the trailer and not enough tongue weight. Rear storage trays or bike carriers can cause that. Additionally, enough stuff inside the trailer toward the rear can also cause sway. Move the weight forward.

IdaD wrote:
Stabilizer jacks and have less fun in the trailer.

Hahaha :)

Stabilizer jacks and have less fun in the trailer.

I believe he is talking about when its parked. Does it have stabilizer jacks ?

Neighbor should take that rig back to the dealer and have the suspension and axle checked out.

My single axle 20 foot doesn't shimmy, shake, sway, wag or wobble however sometimes it does bumble and bounce.