The tail wagging the dog

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Apr 29, 2001 | 11:43 AM

baitboy

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The tail wagging the dog

This is my first post to this segment of the site, but I've got a safety issue to deal with, and thought bringing it to the experts was the thing to do. I just got this truck a few months ago, and have only pulled my boat and trailer twice, but both times I've gotten the boat swaying back and forth, pulling the rear of the truck from side to side, and am confused as to what to do about it. The boat and trailer weigh 1800 lbs. total, and the weight on the rear axle of the truck isn't much more than that. What should I do to eliminate this? My tongue weight on the trailer is pretty low, so I'm thinking that might be it.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

'81 Flareside
300/6
4 spd
3.31 gears
33"/31" tires

Apr 29, 2001 | 10:45 PM

jbhf250

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Joined: Oct 1999

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From: Kelseyville USA

The tail wagging the dog

>>My tongue weight on the trailer is pretty low, so I'm thinking that might be it.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.<<

I would increase the tounge weight first and have at it again.
Do you have a `screw jack` on the front of the trailer?
Try getting 200 lbs on the `tounge` of the trailer use a bathroom scale to check.
Does your `hitch` on the bumper line up to the tounge of the trailer with the trailer frame "Level".... ??

__JOHN__Õ¿ö
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Apr 30, 2001 | 05:14 AM

baitboy

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The tail wagging the dog

Thanks for your response. When I bought the truck, I had a class 3 hitch installed which bolts directly to the frame, and have a receiver that allows the boat frame to be pretty level when everything is connected. My tongue weight is way below 200 lbs., probably about 1/3 of that. I'll try to scoot the boat farther up the trailer, and get the tongue weight up.
Another thought, on my truck, because the rear wheels are so close to the rear of the truck, I've been using a receiver that is about 18" long, so I can keep the truck out of the water while I'm launching. Is that part of the problem, too?

'81 Flareside
300/6
4 spd
3.31 gears
33"/31" tires

Apr 30, 2001 | 10:28 AM

bulabula

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The tail wagging the dog

I don't think having a long ball-mount will have a detrimental effect, but if you can't scootch the boat further up the trailer anymore, you may have to slide the trailer axle back a bit to increase tongue weight.

Chris
'88 F350 XLT Lariat CC DRW/7.5l/C6/4.10
'93 Mustang LX 5.0l/T-5/3.55's/Flo's/pulleys/K&N/Synthetics
Nissan p/u (DC commuter)
Volvo 940

May 5, 2001 | 09:44 AM

red99sdv10

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The tail wagging the dog

Didnt say if you had an outboard or not
I had the same truoble with my boat but I always had a 8'bed or A sd so it wasnt too bad
If you take coolers. etc put them in the front of the boat to increase toung weight , Also if the fuel tamk is in the rear consider not filling till you get close to your destination, soame thing for livewells etc if in front fill first if in back fill last
If I can be of any more help let me know

May 5, 2001 | 12:04 PM

baitboy

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The tail wagging the dog

I do have two outboards hanging on the transom, and my fuel tanks are in the back of the boat. Since I first posted, I've moved the boat forward on the trailer, and increased the tongue weight from 110lbs to 155lbs. Another thing I've realized, since I'm fishing for trout now, instead of salmon, I'm not carrying some of the tackle with me that I normally have on board. I'm putting it back in the boat, and putting it up in the bow, so I can increase tongue weight even more. If y'all think of anything else, let me know.

'81 Flareside
300/6
4 spd
3.31 gears
33"/31" tires