Replaced the Axle, but still have towing concerns

[captronr]

I replaced the axle on my 2002 Mac trailer with a Dexter 4400# axle with electric brakes before towing the X to Lake Havasu. Two of the concerns I had were solved: Getting higher capacity tires/wheels/axle and replacing the brakes with electric. The set up was easy and by adding inch longer spring shackles, I have the same fender clearance.

The one issue I had previously has not improved much with the new setup: In any crosswind towing, when a tractor trailer passes me on a 4 lane, the truck (F150, 2WD, tires inflated to 50PSI) drifts starboard as the semi air pushed me out. Then when the semi is beside me completely, the boat and trailer drifts left as he blocks the wind. Then when he passes completely, I'm moved right again when the wind hits me.

Depending on wind direction and speed, I notice it at 55MPH and greater. It gets real noticeable at 65. Several times in the trip, I slowed to 50 or 55 in a strong crosswind. Headwinds or when I was upwind of the semis were no issue and she trailed straight at 65.

I did notice that with full fuel in the trk, the sway was less, so I fueled up often. I think the trailer is nearly level, but haven't measured it. Truck tires are new. I have a 50HP Tohatsu on the rear with average stuff in the boat. Tongue weight seems adequate, but I haven't weighed it.

I'm thinking of borrowing an F250 on a windy day to see if the drift is the same or less. Now that I've spent the $$$ for a heavier axle, I'd hate to go with tandem now. Any thoughts on what I might try? Or should I just consider this "turbulence" and live with it?

THKS.
Ron

[Fxwg80hd]

You really should get your tongue weight. The MacGregor Owners manual recommends that it should be between 250 and 300 pounds. If the tongue weight is to light, the trailer will sway, to heavy and it reduces steering control on the tow vehicle. you will want to get the tongue weight while the trailer is on level ground and the tongue is at the height that it will be on the tow vehicle.

[Catigale]

Ditto that post. Tongue weight is critical and can't just be guessed at.

I now trailer only at 60 mph since the diff in stability between 60 and 70 is huge on my rig.

Cheers

[Sumner]

Hate to say it, but the second axle is a big, big deal with helping with this.

One thing that is hurting you guys with the big motors is all that weight at the very back. The trailer wants to swing like a pendulum. I'd try and get any weight you can from say the aft berth and such forward in the boat while towing and get at least 300 lbs. on the tongue and try lower tongue heights with different hitches or the ones with multiple holes. We use one of those and it also gets the trailer ladder back far enough that we can lower the tailgate on the Suburban. Just rememeber though that this would also put more leverage on the back of the tow vehilce since the leverage of the tongue weight is further back.

Make sure tire pressures are on the high side for tow vehicle/trailer.

Good Luck,

Sum

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[raycarlson]

i agree with both above posters.dual axles make a huge difference in towing stability and tracking behind the tow vehicle.also Catigale has the best and cheapest solution.If you can't afford dual axles just slow down, my honda 300 quad at a gvw of 500 pounds will easily tow my 26M all day,but only at 5-10mph, so your 1/2 ton should see better stability at 50-55mph when the 18wheelers come by.

[nedmiller]

Since you have already replaced your axle with a heavier one, I don't think I would go to the expense and trouble of dual axles--at least until you have done quite of bit of experimenting. Measuring the weight on the hitch is important. Your hitch on the F150 will have at least a 500# capacity (check, though) so try moving some weight forward in the boat and see if that doesn't help. Check your truck shocks.
SILK

[Highlander]

Hi Dude
Even the 18 wheeler's have this problem when passing each other in the same conditions unless they are heavly loaded, so do not dispair, but in these conditions one must slow down when necc. common sense should rule , when towing the boat one cannot just set the cruise & say lets go daddy 'e' oh !! its has to be a constant vigilance , I once came over the top of a steep hill on a two lane Hi-way doing 90km/h here's a sign saying "Caution" dip in the road were talking a three foot dip "hole" in the road that had sunk & had yet to be repaired my trk Ranger dropped down into that dip in the road drastically changing my tounge weight then the trl went down into it & as it came out up over the dip it practaly lifted the rear wheels of my trk off the road causing the whole rig to sway severely taking up both lanes I tried speeding up to 100km/h to pull the sway out just got worse so here I was swaying accross two lanes on a two lane hiway lucky for me their was no oncoming traffic or I would have had to take the corn field Anyway hammered on the brakes on /off swaying down both lanes for more than 300ft before I was able to get enough control and get the rig into one lane " mine" I watched that boat & trl sway so severely I figurered she gonna flip any time now !! my ranger's frame was twisting like crazey I could feel the front & rear sway bars on the trk working like crazey was what I beleive kepted the whole rig on the road , I came by that way two days later tire skid marks all over the place & debrie so I guess someone else was not so lucky as I was , Oh Yeh go figure two weeks later they put up temp speed reduction signs on both sides of the hill still not sure it's been fixed yet !!
Anyway I am going to convert my trl to a tandem axle still deciding on whether I am going with torsion axle from the original manufacturer or to go with air bags my mind was defentely made up last yr when I when up to QC in the province PQ two to three ft pot holes in the hiway that I could not go around because of traffic two axles will defentely cut back on the sway I also have lift bars that I will start using off my fishing boat trl that I sold two yrs ago

J

[moondancer]

Ron in your post you stated that you think trailer was level and tongue weight is good. You need to take a few extra minutes before leaving the driveway and check level when truck and boat are loaded, know your tongue weight is good. It will really cut down on some of the sway. Crosswinds are are dealt with by paying attention way down the road and reducing speed a bit before the sway starts. I tow with a 3/4 ton p/u, yes I sometimes am accused of breaking the sound barrier, and the tractor trailers and crosswinds in New England can be eye opening, white knuckally. I guess if everything is good on tow vehicle and boat, speed needs to be adjusted for conditions.
I finally made it to my boat last weekend. Lesson learned, make a robust enclosure for boat. Heavy snow falls in area did not like my new hoop enclosure and showed me all the weak parts. Next year will be better if I can get it out of spring time mud.

Waiting for spring. Mike

[tom clayton]

i hated the buses more than the 18 wheeler''s the air can escape under the trailers open spaces but those damn luxury buses just push the air into you and there was no place for it to squeeze out.

[raycarlson]

i was just wondering why you bought a new axle that was just 200 pounds larger gvw then the stock axle, that was kind of a waste of money wasn't it.i could kinda see going from the stock 4200# to say a 6500# gv rating, but it looks like you really gained nothing with your hard earned cash??

[nedmiller]

I thought the stock axle on the old X trailer's were 3500#....
SILK

[Catigale]

Ned - correct on the steel trailer axle rating...

The suckiest thing about driving 60 rather than 70...is I get exactly the same mileage...13.5 mpg.

[Divecoz]

I am not sure what the issue is ? But there is one.. I too have a " stock" single axel , steel trailer. I haul it with what equates to a full size F 150.
Mine is a little heavier as its a Quad Cab short box 4x4 Dodge 1500.. But I have Zero tail wagging issues.. Tires fully inflated Truck and Trailer? 10% tongue weight? I run about 350 lbs. on the tongue.

[Sumner]

.... 10% tongue weight? I run about 350 lbs. on the tongue.

Yep you nailed it with the 350 lbs of tongue weight . If you have an adequate hitch and the tow vehicle can take it tongue weight is your friend. Just think about how well 5th wheels and semi trailers pull.

I have a long tongue on my teardrop with the trailer tires/wheels set well back and over 200 lb. tongue weight. The trailer loaded is about 1700 lb.. It tows as fast in the turns as the truck does without the trailer. The weight actually helps to set the back of the truck down helping weight distribution. On our Mac trailer we are now about 400 lb. on the tongue and it tows great. Our hitch, Suburban, ball are rated to 500 lb. tongue weight.

Put some weight on your and you will be happy,

Sum

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[DaveB]

Sum,
I to have the tandem trailer with 10% weight on toung. (400 lbs) and this also helps in traction on slippery ramps and much better ride cruiseing 65mph with a 1999 f150 extended cab w/6 cylinder standard trans.
Dave

.... 10% tongue weight? I run about 350 lbs. on the tongue.

Yep you nailed it with the 350 lbs of tongue weight . If you have an adequate hitch and the tow vehicle can take it tongue weight is your friend. Just think about how well 5th wheels and semi trailers pull.

I have a long tongue on my teardrop with the trailer tires/wheels set well back and over 200 lb. tongue weight. The trailer loaded is about 1700 lb.. It tows as fast in the turns as the truck does without the trailer. The weight actually helps to set the back of the truck down helping weight distribution. On our Mac trailer we are now about 400 lb. on the tongue and it tows great. Our hitch, Suburban, ball are rated to 500 lb. tongue weight.

Put some weight on your and you will be happy,

Sum

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