Thanks Thanks:  0
HaHa HaHa:  0
Results 1 to 9 of 9

Thread: Trailer wagging issue help needed

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Caryville, Tennessee(Cove Creek)
    Posts
    309
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Trailer wagging issue help needed


    I recently got my little 4hp Mercury out to use on my 1436 jon while I'm waiting on my new big boat to arrive at the dealer. Usually when trailering I have a tiller control motor guide on the back of the boat with trolling battery and coolers up by the bow. Yesterday I went fishing and had the 4hp on the back, a small mower sized battery for my electronics in the back and that was it. As soon as I got up to about 40mph going straight on my road i noticed the trailer was wagging badly. When I first restored the trailer i moved the axle back as far as I could as it came. One thing I noticed when I got home though was one of the 3 leaf springs on one side had fallen out. So it's got 3 springs on one side and just the two larger springs on the other side. Would that possibly be causing the issue or is it more likely the 4hp hanging on the back making more of the load behind the axle? The motor isn't very heavy really and it looks like the spring just fell off/out recently.
    Attached Images Attached Images   

  2. #2
    Cray's Avatar
    Cray is offline Crappie.com 2019 Man of Year, Supermod & Moderator of the Mechanics Forum * Crappie.com Supporter
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Byhalia,Mississippi
    Posts
    17,388
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I don't think that little bit of weight would create that problem. I think you have 2 issues, the spring is one and needs to be fixed, and the narrow stance of your wheels can be a problem on some roads. There is usually a hump or ridge created in the middle of most roads cause by heavier vechicals running in the same groves over time. That trailer is running inside those groves. One tire will catch that ridge and try to climb it the it will do the same thing on the other side causing the wag back and forth. Without the motor you probably just never noticed it but even though I said it didn't make a difference maybe just that little bit agrivated it. But I'm thinking combination of narrow stance and missing spring.
    Proud Member of Team Geezer
    Charlie Weaver USN/ENC 1965-1979




  3. #3
    cevans's Avatar
    cevans is offline Crappie.com Legend * Crappie.com Supporter
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Southern Indiana
    Posts
    5,424
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Definitely need to replace the spring. I am thinking when you move the axel it might not be straight causing the wagging. I used to build parade floats and used farm wagons for the beds and rebuilt the trailers first and it's a pita to get the axels lined up properly. Your 1436 is probably rated for a 10 hp motor and that trailer definitely looked like it will handle a lot more weight than you have on it. I fished out of a 1436 for many years. It's a perfect skinny water boat. Check the axel for exact alinement and get another spring if possible. Even experiment and move it back to where it was and see if it's wagging. If you can't find a spring, get a piece of flat stock steel and stick in the space the spring is missing to make the axel as level to the other side.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Leslie
    Posts
    4,396
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I'm with Cevan's on this one. I think it is not aligned properly. Also, you may want to check for a possible "soft" tire and to ensure all of your lug nuts are tight. Might be as simple as that. If you really want to test the spring theory, simply take a leaf out of the other side so they are both even and see what it does.
    I have OCD "Obsessive Crappie Disorder"

  5. #5
    CrappiePappy's Avatar
    CrappiePappy is offline Super Moderator - 2013 Man Of The Year * Crappie.com Supporter
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Lexington, KY
    Posts
    23,577
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Check the tongue weight ... if it's not fairly heavy, it can cause the trailer to wander all over the place, too.
    Likes "G", M R Dux LIKED above post

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    michigan
    Posts
    782
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Agree with CP..not enough tongue weight

  7. #7
    "G"'s Avatar
    "G" is offline Super Duper Moderator - 2012 Crappie.Com Man of the year & 2018 Crappie.com Decade of Exceptional Service Awards * Crappie.com Supporter * Member Sponsor
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Belden, MS
    Posts
    95,225
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by fiveeyes View Post
    Agree with CP..not enough tongue weight
    Yep....me too......back of boat looks like its hanging off the back of the skids or bunks about 8 inches.....move your front roller/winch stand foward so the the boat can move forward....set it where back of boat is even with the bunks. That will help a little.
    Last edited by "G"; 06-07-2016 at 08:06 PM.
    I have spent most my life fishing........the rest I wasted.
    PROUD MEMBER OF TEAM GEEZER
    PICO Lures Field Rep

  8. #8
    M R Dux's Avatar
    M R Dux is offline Crappie.com Legend , 2018 Crappie.com Man of the Year * Crappie.com Supporter * Member Sponsor
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Benton,KY / KY Lake
    Posts
    7,469
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    In my experience all trailers tow much better tongue heavy rather than tongue light. Redistribute your weight forward and see if that doesn't fix the issue.
    www.crappie-gills-n-more.com
    Podunk Ideas Pro Staff /test platform
    PICO Lures Field Rep
    Excel Boats Pro Staff
    Likes Redge LIKED above post

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Troy AL
    Posts
    20,457
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Light tongue weight and low tire pressure, inflate them to their max air pressure.

    Helicopter Pilot
    Vietnam 67/68
    Proud Member of the Southeast Asian War Games Team

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

BACK TO TOP