Moving axles,found some problems.

[Gary H NC]

I went to adjust my axles back one hole to get more weight on the tongue.I was having a bad tail wagging the dog at 55mph and over.
Moved them back 6 inches and man what a difference! I can run 70mph with not a hint of sway.
The trailer looks like they are back too far but i'm not really concerned.
Anyway,I found out that all of my U-bolts were about to fall off.The nuts had backed way out! It could have been nasty going down the highway and the axles fall off!
From now on i'm checking them every couple trips.
I found that the U-bolts were not threaded long enough and the nuts had bottomed out before actually tightening down..

A few flat washers later and double nutted the U-bolts and good to go.
Just a warning to anyone that has not checked ALL the bolts on their trailer in awhile!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Moving axles,found some problems.

been there done that.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Moving axles,found some problems.

I replaced most of mine with nylon lock nuts after finding a few that kept coming loose. Haven't had to mess with them since. I also paint my U bolts for added corrosion protection so if I have to readjust, they won't be rusted solid years from now.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Moving axles,found some problems.

I had to deal with an idiot yesterday (actually three of them) towing a very large sail boat that was obviously too big for the tandem trailer. This thing was so tongue light (I'm guessing about -300 pounds on the tongue) that the 1 ton Ford van towing it had the back end hiked up about a foot. 40 MPH tops on a four lane section of interstate and this thing was all over the road. I would like to see the expression on their faces when they uncoupled this rig. Can you envision one serious uppercut?

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Moving axles,found some problems.

Some people have no clue when it comes to towing...
-300 lb tongue weight! Holy Carp!!!

I did not weigh mine after the axle move but i had 260 pounds on it before.
I'm sure i added another hundred at least.
She sure does tow great now...

 

[External Combustion]

Re: Moving axles,found some problems.

They did not want the sailboat/trailer combo too heavy when the returned the borrowed van and hooked up to their Yugo. Remember, if the bumper hitch can handle it, go for it!

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Moving axles,found some problems.

They did not want the sailboat/trailer combo too heavy when the returned the borrowed van and hooked up to their Yugo. Remember, if the bumper hitch can handle it, go for it!

As in the other towing thread that a poster stated a VW Jetta out performed a 2500 Chevy while towing a Travel Trailer...

I think i will get a hitch put on our Saturn Aura to pull my boat and camper instead of using my truck! Tests showed a car is better...LOL!!!
I'm sure the Saturn could handle 600 lb tongue weight.The front wheels may come off the ground.