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Boat trailer sway problem #13471354 03/14/20 02:27 PM
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Bruce Allen Offline OP
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I bought a new truck. I had a F 150 and had no problem towing my boat. A 20' 1994 Ranger. Then I added a pair of Talons. Then I got the new truck, a 2019 Ford Ranger 4 x 4 with 18" tires.

Sits up pretty high and got the sway the first time I towed it. So I put a newer hitch, that I had, which is exactly level with the tongue sitting at rest using a level. No improvement.

Any ideas?


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Re: Boat trailer sway problem [Re: Bruce Allen] #13471360 03/14/20 02:33 PM
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Any way to shift a little weight toward the front of the boat while on the trailer?

Re: Boat trailer sway problem [Re: Bruce Allen] #13471361 03/14/20 02:35 PM
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Or move the boat forward just a couple of inches of the trailer?

Re: Boat trailer sway problem [Re: Bruce Allen] #13471490 03/14/20 05:35 PM
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Not enough tongue weight. The above mentioned is spot on. Check tire pressure to MAX ...COLD


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Re: Boat trailer sway problem [Re: Bruce Allen] #13471776 03/14/20 11:07 PM
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Bruce Allen Offline OP
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thank you, I'll see what I can find to move forward and fill up my tires and see if that helps.


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Re: Boat trailer sway problem [Re: Bruce Allen] #13473878 03/16/20 04:43 PM
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I had a 93' Ranger 482, and when I added a jackplate (moving the motor back) it developed a sway. On mine the winch tower was mounted with U-bolts to the trailer frame. I moved it forward just 3/4" and it took the sway out. It's an easy fix.


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Re: Boat trailer sway problem [Re: Bruce Allen] #13474176 03/16/20 08:08 PM
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Bruce Allen Offline OP
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thanks Bryan. Good info!


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Re: Boat trailer sway problem [Re: Bruce Allen] #13481654 03/21/20 04:52 PM
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Bruce Allen Offline OP
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Bryan it worked pretty much. I moved it forward an inch and went to the ramp and pulled the boat up all the way. Ran at 65 MPH coming home and very little sway. Now I need to put the tackle back in with heavy stuff forward. Thanks again.


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Re: Boat trailer sway problem [Re: Bruce Allen] #13482352 03/22/20 03:25 AM
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Flippin-Out Offline
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Originally Posted by Bruce Allen
I bought a new truck. I had a F 150 and had no problem towing my boat. A 20' 1994 Ranger. Then I added a pair of Talons. Then I got the new truck, a 2019 Ford Ranger 4 x 4 with 18" tires.

Sits up pretty high and got the sway the first time I towed it. So I put a newer hitch, that I had, which is exactly level with the tongue sitting at rest using a level. No improvement.

Any ideas?


While the center of gravity changes to the carried load are certainly players in tongue weight, there's another factor nobody has brought up - ball height!

You mentioned the new truck is 4x4 with 18" wheels. I'm betting this combo put the receiver higher off the ground, and you just moved the ball mount from one truck to the other. If the frame of the trailer is not level when towed, your ball is too high off the ground. On a consistent flat surface, measure from the ground up to the bottom of the trailer frame near a tail-light, then do the same near the coupler. This number should never be larger at the coupler. Trailers pull best level or ever so slightly nose down. This actually shifts the CG forward, which will add to the tongue-weight you are lacking. You probably need more drop in the ball mount you are using on the new truck. I have an adjustable drop/rise ball mount with 1" increments that allows me to adjust to tow anything I own up to the max speed I'm willing to run, which is north of 70mph, with absolutely no sway.

Re: Boat trailer sway problem [Re: Flippin-Out] #13484258 03/23/20 05:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Flippin-Out
Originally Posted by Bruce Allen
I bought a new truck. I had a F 150 and had no problem towing my boat. A 20' 1994 Ranger. Then I added a pair of Talons. Then I got the new truck, a 2019 Ford Ranger 4 x 4 with 18" tires.

Sits up pretty high and got the sway the first time I towed it. So I put a newer hitch, that I had, which is exactly level with the tongue sitting at rest using a level. No improvement.

Any ideas?


While the center of gravity changes to the carried load are certainly players in tongue weight, there's another factor nobody has brought up - ball height!

You mentioned the new truck is 4x4 with 18" wheels. I'm betting this combo put the receiver higher off the ground, and you just moved the ball mount from one truck to the other. If the frame of the trailer is not level when towed, your ball is too high off the ground. On a consistent flat surface, measure from the ground up to the bottom of the trailer frame near a tail-light, then do the same near the coupler. This number should never be larger at the coupler. Trailers pull best level or ever so slightly nose down. This actually shifts the CG forward, which will add to the tongue-weight you are lacking. You probably need more drop in the ball mount you are using on the new truck. I have an adjustable drop/rise ball mount with 1" increments that allows me to adjust to tow anything I own up to the max speed I'm willing to run, which is north of 70mph, with absolutely no sway.

I kinda forgive people are towing a trailer nose up when they don't have a receiver but the ones that do have receivers I have no forgiveness for. I have 3 ball mounts one for each type of trailer I haul. Remember when you are doing you measurements to account for the drop in the rear end when loaded. I would measure loaded and unloaded with your current set up.


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Re: Boat trailer sway problem [Re: Bruce Allen] #13484606 03/23/20 09:23 PM
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I'm with you Stump Jumper. I've taught my wife about this when she asked why I changed the ball mount height when switching trailers. Now, SHE even points out poorly set-up trailers when we're on the road. roflmao

Back to the OP: I must have been tired when I made the reply as I now clearly see you must have changed the ball mount in use. (That's not a hitch that you insert into the truck's receiver - it's a BALL MOUNT.)
Is the trailer level when coupled on the ball? There's usually nothing wrong with nosing down slightly (no more than an inch) at the tongue to get a little more CG forward. Otherwise, you need to look at moving the winch stanchion forward an inch at a time to move the CG, if that's possible.

Re: Boat trailer sway problem [Re: Bruce Allen] #13491062 03/27/20 10:50 PM
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Bruce Allen Offline OP
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Good to go now with the boat loaded heavy stuff forward and the winch column moved an inch forward. Thanks Bryan and all!


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Daytime Tournaments.


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We are VERY PROUD of our Induction into the
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