Boat trailer fishtailing

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Lovgren69
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2008/05/16 11:00:53 (permalink)

Boat trailer fishtailing

I have a 1995 19ft Ranger Walleye boat with a 150 hp. Merc on the back which is mated with a single axle ranger trailer.  I've never had trouble trailer the boat until this year, and I'm wondering since I added a 9.9  kicker motor on the port side if that could result in the trailer swaying back and forth?  The other day I was on the highway doing about 60 mph and the trailer started FISHTAILING severly without reason, which scared the living crap out of me.
Other details of significance:  Total weight of boat and trailer is approximetly 2800 lbs.  The big Merc 150 weighs around 500 lbs, and the 9.9 Merc bigfoot weights about 130 lbs.  My tow vehicle is a 2005 Nissan Exterra (v-6) with a gross vehicle weight around 4200 lbs.  This vehicle does have a relatively shortwheel base, which might influence this swaying.
I've researched the problem a little bit and I am going to check the following:
-The air pressure in the tires (15'' tires on there currrently say max load at 50 psi)
-The height of the trailer ball
-Determine the proper weight distribution for the boat.  I've been told having too much weight on the transom and not enough tongue wieght could cause this "fishtailing" to happen.
-The boat is already positioned as far forward on the trailer as it will allow.   
I would appreciate any help and or tips anyone out there can offer, or have experienced a similar problem firsthand.  Thanks. 
 
#1

19 Replies Related Threads

    Trout About
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    RE: Boat trailer fishtailing 2008/05/16 11:07:51 (permalink)
    With the addition of the kicker, your tongue weight is too light.  Since your boat is already all the way forward on the trailer, that option is out.  Is the axle adjustable?  If it is, you could slide it back a couple inches to redistribute the weight forward.  If that isn't possible, it's time to move stuff around in the boat.  Mount the batteries in the front to offset the weight of the kicker.
    #2
    pghmarty
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    RE: Boat trailer fishtailing 2008/05/16 11:09:16 (permalink)
    Check brakes and bearings but it probably is a light tongue problem.
    post edited by pghmarty - 2008/05/16 11:10:56
    #3
    *commander*
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    RE: Boat trailer fishtailing 2008/05/16 12:13:08 (permalink)
    before i started adjusting i'd make sure nothing is broke on the trailer. after that i'd check the truck. after that i'd take the kicker off and tow the boat. if it continues you know its something else. if it doesnt, take less fuel(IF POSSIBLE) to account for the additional weight of the kicker. 
    #4
    Lovgren69
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    RE: Boat trailer fishtailing 2008/05/16 12:29:54 (permalink)
    I did trailer the boat for about 1 year without the kicker motor and never experienced any such "fishtailing" problem. 
    #5
    *commander*
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    RE: Boat trailer fishtailing 2008/05/16 12:37:57 (permalink)
    crazy that a 130 lbs causes that much issue on a boat that big. take Trout About's advice and redistribute the weight. also, less fuel. 1 gallon of gas is 6 lbs. might help.
    #6
    Trout About
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    RE: Boat trailer fishtailing 2008/05/16 14:13:11 (permalink)
    My 115# Honda kicker makes a big difference when it's strapped on the back of the boat.  I only put it on when I'm going to limited lakes where I have to run it.
    #7
    kayak99
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    RE: Boat trailer fishtailing 2008/05/16 19:26:52 (permalink)
    As said, you have too much weight in the back.  Your kicker motor changed the equation.  Either remove some from the rear or add weight to the front (the latter is not a good idea in these times of high gas prices).
    #8
    eye-c-man
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    RE: Boat trailer fishtailing 2008/05/16 20:21:49 (permalink)
    I would almost gaurentee it is the light tongue wt problem. I had a 19 ft century  I/O , 302 ford engine with a 30 gallon gas tank mounted in the front of the closed bow boat . Any time the tank was below half i experienced a severe swaying problem , it swayed the least with a full tank , as others have said the 9.9 threw the tongue wt off.
    #9
    indsguiz
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    RE: Boat trailer fishtailing 2008/05/17 08:45:07 (permalink)
    Lovgren69,
         I would check the wheel bearings and everything but I agree with the others that the tongue weight is way too light.   If you can pick up the front of the trailer and maneuver it;  it is too light.  Take the kicker off and carry it in the back of the pick-up.  Move batteries forward (if possible), carry gas in the bow (if possible).  It sounds like the boat/trailer combo is riding right on the edge as it was and the extra weight made it unstable.   Also you didn't mention the ball height of the pickup.  The ball height should be set so the boat trails with the TRAILER level or slightly nose down.  If the trailer is riding too high in the front; air pressure can cause the boat to actually unload the tongue due to the lifting effect of the air at speed.  I have seen numerous small p/u with big tires that look like the trailer is running uphill and that isn't safe at all.

    Illegitimis Non carborundum
    #10
    easy1
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    RE: Boat trailer fishtailing 2008/05/17 12:58:50 (permalink)
    20% tongue weight will cure the problem
    #11
    ShutUpNFish
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    RE: Boat trailer fishtailing 2008/05/17 13:20:56 (permalink)
    Its a NO-brainer....obviously, the addition of the new motor/weight to the rear of the trailered boat, caused this fish tailing.  You always need a good balance from front to rear.  If you cannot move the winch tower forward on your boat, you need to think of a way to redistribute weight towards the front of your boat.  I hope you fix the problem because a fishtailing trailer is a hazard out there on the highway.  Good Luck.

    #12
    Muddogaug
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    RE: Boat trailer fishtailing 2008/05/18 10:45:20 (permalink)
    I had a simmilar problem with my boat that I have owned for many years. I could not figure why my transom straps kept getting shorter and harder to connect and my tounge weight was getting lighter. Here what was happening was the front roller with the hand crank was slowly moving back over the years. It must of slipped back 5 inches. I just loosened the u bolts up and moved them foreward to where they were originally. The boat seems to ride great now.  Another thing is is your toung parralell with the ground? I have an Xterra and it rides high.(NEVER TOWED WITH IT)Your ball hitch might be riding to high try a drop hitch to lower the toung. Maybe your Xterra needs a sway bar in it for trailering?
    #13
    beeverfishing
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    RE: Boat trailer fishtailing 2008/05/26 08:15:20 (permalink)
    Just a reminder, Pennsylvania has a Maximum Speed Limit of 55 MPH while towing a boat. 
     
    http://www.boatus.com/trailerclub/matlantic_laws.asp#pa
    #14
    Trout About
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    RE: Boat trailer fishtailing 2008/05/26 15:24:21 (permalink)
    Thanks for the link Beev.
     
    They must not bee too keen on enforcing it.  I've passed and been passed by many troopers on 79 @ 65mph and have never been stopped.  There's always a first time though.
    #15
    beeverfishing
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    RE: Boat trailer fishtailing 2008/05/26 19:12:28 (permalink)
    NP.   I really didn't know this either until recently.   I trailered my boat from above Buffalo, NY to Meadville, Pa traveling around 65 MPH on both 90 and 79 and never got stopped.  But there is alway's the chance that it could happen.
    #16
    kayak99
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    RE: Boat trailer fishtailing 2008/05/26 22:02:38 (permalink)
    ORIGINAL: beeverfishing

    Just a reminder, Pennsylvania has a Maximum Speed Limit of 55 MPH while towing a boat. 
     
    http://www.boatus.com/trailerclub/matlantic_laws.asp#pa


    Where is that in the PA code?
    #17
    MICK FISH
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    RE: Boat trailer fishtailing 2008/05/26 23:48:38 (permalink)
    55mph on the interstate anymore is about as deadly as 95mph!  I hope they would not enforce it.  I too would like to see this in the PA code.  What are clearance lights?  If an 18 wheel truck can go 65, so can a PROPERLY towed boat I would think.
    #18
    jeffly
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    RE: Boat trailer fishtailing 2008/05/27 01:22:33 (permalink)
    A quick fix for the tongue problem could be a spoiler wing at the front of the boat! Might be easier to install and remove a spoiler than the 9.9.
    Although this will not help with gas consumption!
    Jeff
    #19
    walleye guy
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    RE: Boat trailer fishtailing 2008/05/27 20:10:01 (permalink)
    Maybe these guys are right, but I have almost the identicle rig except it is a triton and I also have a Minn kota vantage on the back that has to be 60 lbs.. My rig trailers rock solid no matter if My rear livewell is full, gas tank is full, etc. You need at least 10% tounge weight so it is hard to believe that kicker can make that difference. Just a suggestion if you have surge brakes like my rig, make sure your calipurs are releasing or you do not have a severely warped rotor. Or if you have drums go over the adjusters, springs, etc.. A stick in your brakes can cavitate the trailor like it will the steering wheel in your car when they heat up. If you do not have brakes disregard this post.
    #20
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