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Porpoise Of rear end #13618316 07/04/20 12:10 AM
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REick Offline OP
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I have a 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 with a 3” lift. I was able to get my drop on the hitch measured correctly to level the trailer but and still getting porpoising if the trailer (2004 Skeeeter ZX225 with dual talons). I feel like I need to move weight forward but don’t know the best way to go about it.

If anyone has ideas on how to increase some tongue weight or know what else I should be doing, I would appreciate the help!


Rich Eick
Re: Porpoise Of rear end [Re: REick] #13618334 07/04/20 12:50 AM
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I gather you mean that you experienced "fishtailing" which is the rear of the trailer moving side to side behind the straight forward moving vehicle? Porpoising is usually a problem of a bow bouncing up and down when running the boat on the water.

Is your winch stanchion (stand) in any way movable? Like the base has huge channel bolts holding it on the trailer tongue? If so, you'd go to a ramp, loosen and move it forward, tighten, then dunk the boat enough to get it back up to the bow stop in the new position. Don't simply try to winch the boat forward while sitting on the trailer. That will spring or bend the stanchion back, which you don't want. You want to use the lake to lift the boat off the trailer so that you can winch it forward to the new resting position with "normal" force you would use when loading.

A few inches makes a big difference, so take it easy on how much. You'd be surprised how much difference 4 inches can make.

Last edited by Flippin-Out; 07/04/20 12:51 AM.
Re: Porpoise Of rear end [Re: REick] #13618419 07/04/20 02:28 AM
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REick Offline OP
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So it isn’t fishtailing, the front of the trailer makes the rear of the truck bounce/ feels like the trailer is pulling the back of the truck up.

I cannot move the stand to move the boat forward, it’s as far as it can go.


Rich Eick
Re: Porpoise Of rear end [Re: REick] #13618462 07/04/20 03:26 AM
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Not enough weight on the trk front axle..........Weight Distribution matters.

Last edited by V-Bottom; 07/12/20 09:53 PM.

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Re: Porpoise Of rear end [Re: REick] #13618468 07/04/20 03:41 AM
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Originally Posted by REick
So it isn’t fishtailing, the front of the trailer makes the rear of the truck bounce/ feels like the trailer is pulling the back of the truck up.

I cannot move the stand to move the boat forward, it’s as far as it can go.

That's a weird one. Usually full-size trucks don't have issues pulling typical bass boats, but I think the gotcha in your case is that the suspension is now after-market modified via the 3" lift. I know you did the right thing in getting a ball mount drop that leveled the trailer out. Do you have a buddy who can tow the rig just to see if the problem is associated only with the trailer? I'm betting a stock truck might pull it fine. If it does, I'd be complaining to the lift kit company.

Re: Porpoise Of rear end [Re: REick] #13618560 07/04/20 11:37 AM
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Can you move the boat up on the trailer more ?


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Re: Porpoise Of rear end [Re: REick] #13618821 07/04/20 03:48 PM
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My 6,000 lb RV would porpoise when being hauled with my Silverado 1500. I had the 10,000 tow package and weight distribution hitch with sway bars. It was most noticeable on cement highways. Hasn’t happened since I bought a 2500HD.


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Re: Porpoise Of rear end [Re: Bandit 200 XP] #13618917 07/04/20 05:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Bandit 200 XP
Can you move the boat up on the trailer more ?

We covered that already if you read the thread. No, it's all the way forward.

Re: Porpoise Of rear end [Re: Flippin-Out] #13619899 07/05/20 08:37 PM
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I thought about trying to start with new shocks, and then go from there. But I agree, I don’t understand other than possible weight distribution of the boat itself.

I appreciate the responses, hopefully I can get it figured out!


Rich Eick
Re: Porpoise Of rear end [Re: REick] #13620134 07/05/20 11:26 PM
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Can you pick the trailer tongue up by hand when it is unhitched?

Re: Porpoise Of rear end [Re: REick] #13620155 07/05/20 11:49 PM
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I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess that your 3" lift kit used blocks for the rear suspension. Toss in some worn spring bushings and its a receipt for disaster. Any lateral play in the suspension is being exaggerated by the boat hooked to it.

Re: Porpoise Of rear end [Re: TCK73] #13620700 07/06/20 02:01 PM
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Originally Posted by TCK73
Can you pick the trailer tongue up by hand when it is unhitched?

REick, get a short piece of 4/4 and your bathroom scale. Place the scale and 4/4 under your hitch and lower it slowly onto the scale. This will give you the weight on your tongue, it should be 5% to 7% of your trailer and boat-motor weight. You may need to run by a scrap dealer or truck stop and get a total weight of you rig (you can also weigh the tongue there). The talons on the back of the boat my have shifted your center of gravity. I will guess you should have around 200# to 250# but you will need your actual fully loaded weight. If you have less than 200# you may be getting lift when you hit a bump on the road.

Re: Porpoise Of rear end [Re: REick] #13620755 07/06/20 02:35 PM
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I have noticed this from two things.

1- not enough tongue weight

2- not securing the boat down to the trailer well enough that the boat will actually rise up off the front roller and make it bounce

Re: Porpoise Of rear end [Re: REick] #13621714 07/07/20 02:36 AM
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REick Offline OP
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I will be checking these things this weekend. I appreciate all your input!

I ordered new shocks (wanted to upgrade them anyway)


Rich Eick
Re: Porpoise Of rear end [Re: REick] #13621938 07/07/20 12:46 PM
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Try a hitch tightener.

https://smile.amazon.com/Tightener-LIBERRWAY-Anti-Rattle-Stabilizer-Installation/dp/B01KZ25Y26/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=1DBAH7LQ4A3GR&dchild=1&keywords=hitch+tightener&qid=1594125929&sprefix=hitch+tight%2Caps%2C171&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFWM1JONUtOVVQ2VFUmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA3MDY4MzMxTVg2U0dPVFI4WDRUJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAzNjIwNjIzNEtSR0pDQ01YUDZYJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==


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