Trailer help - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

senojmj · 09-08-2010, 08:03 AM

I finally bought a trailer to haul my 2 kayaks and gear. It is so much easier than trying to get the kayaks on top of my suv, especially after being out on the water all day. It is a small boat trailer that I put my yakima rack on. My only concern is that the trailer seems to bounce around a bit. I have lost a screw-on hatch cover last trip! Is there something that can be done so it doesn't bounce around so much? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

RedSledTeam · 09-08-2010, 08:13 AM

This is a tough question to answer without actually seeing the trailer in action. Try reducing the tire air pressure and driving slower. Or you can always add more weight if the trailer payload rating is way-higher than your actual load. There are also ways of reducing the load capacity of your leaf springs if you have them.

-scallywag- · 09-08-2010, 08:30 AM

lower the air pressure on the trailer tires, 10psi is not too low as long as they are not getting hot....

still not happy?....upgrade to a radial passanger car tires, the sidewalls will be much weeker but it will smooth things out alot...adjusting the tire pressure should do the trick if you go low enough.

senojmj · 09-08-2010, 08:51 AM

all good ideas! As far as the leaf springs goes, I assume you mean reducing the load capacity by removing some of the leaf springs?

Jimmyz123 · 09-08-2010, 09:17 AM

You can try adding some weight to the trailer also. I don't know if that will help also.

-scallywag- · 09-08-2010, 09:26 AM

don't mess with the leaf springs, until you have messed with the tires...removing leaves is a PIA (you will need new ubolts/centerpins) and doesn't do much for the bouncing unless you add shocks...

I have two 30' gooseneck flatbed trailers that are designed to haul 35k lbs., empty these trailers weigh around 7k and will absolutely rip the truck apart when hauled empty (imagine your trailer bouncing)....unless you lower the trailers tires from 110 to 20-25psi, then it rides smooth.

senojmj · 09-08-2010, 09:28 AM

here are some pics...

jbaker · 09-08-2010, 05:44 PM

i would add some weight. u bolt and big sinkers, lead blocks, ect, but what ever you do make sure its bolted on really well. don't want it falling off on the freeway and taking out a car, (your responsible). might also try heating the springs a little with a rose bud, but this will lower the arc on them and lower the trailer. let us know how it goes

-scallywag- · 09-08-2010, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbaker

also try heating the springs a little with a rose bud

trailer advise in a kayak fishing forum.....

while I agree, adding weight will smooth things out, you'll need at least 500lbs, probably more like 800.... but what ever you do,

DON'T HEAT UP THE SPRINGS!!!!

BigBalsa · 09-08-2010, 07:44 PM

If you are heading home from fishing, you could always just weigh down the trailer with your daily limits of WSB, HBT, and YT...

Actually, you might wish to consider mounting the yaks upside down. They tend to get a bit aerodynamic (sorta like a plane's wings) and may actually be "lifting" the trailer at high speeds. Mounted upside down they "may" act in similar fashion to a spoiler.

Just a thought. Good luck.

09-08-2010, 08:03 AM	#1
senojmj Paddle, Fish, Repeat Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 26	Trailer help I finally bought a trailer to haul my 2 kayaks and gear. It is so much easier than trying to get the kayaks on top of my suv, especially after being out on the water all day. It is a small boat trailer that I put my yakima rack on. My only concern is that the trailer seems to bounce around a bit. I have lost a screw-on hatch cover last trip! Is there something that can be done so it doesn't bounce around so much? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. __________________ Paddle, Fish, Repeat.

09-08-2010, 08:51 AM	#4
senojmj Paddle, Fish, Repeat Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 26	all good ideas! As far as the leaf springs goes, I assume you mean reducing the load capacity by removing some of the leaf springs? __________________ Paddle, Fish, Repeat.

09-08-2010, 08:13 AM	#2
RedSledTeam Daddeo Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: OC Posts: 660	This is a tough question to answer without actually seeing the trailer in action. Try reducing the tire air pressure and driving slower. Or you can always add more weight if the trailer payload rating is way-higher than your actual load. There are also ways of reducing the load capacity of your leaf springs if you have them.

09-08-2010, 08:30 AM	#3
-scallywag- Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: on the road... Posts: 598	lower the air pressure on the trailer tires, 10psi is not too low as long as they are not getting hot.... still not happy?....upgrade to a radial passanger car tires, the sidewalls will be much weeker but it will smooth things out alot...adjusting the tire pressure should do the trick if you go low enough.

09-08-2010, 09:17 AM	#5
Jimmyz123 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,385	You can try adding some weight to the trailer also. I don't know if that will help also.

09-08-2010, 09:26 AM	#6
-scallywag- Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: on the road... Posts: 598	don't mess with the leaf springs, until you have messed with the tires...removing leaves is a PIA (you will need new ubolts/centerpins) and doesn't do much for the bouncing unless you add shocks... I have two 30' gooseneck flatbed trailers that are designed to haul 35k lbs., empty these trailers weigh around 7k and will absolutely rip the truck apart when hauled empty (imagine your trailer bouncing)....unless you lower the trailers tires from 110 to 20-25psi, then it rides smooth.

09-08-2010, 05:44 PM	#8
jbaker Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Redding Ca Posts: 85	i would add some weight. u bolt and big sinkers, lead blocks, ect, but what ever you do make sure its bolted on really well. don't want it falling off on the freeway and taking out a car, (your responsible). might also try heating the springs a little with a rose bud, but this will lower the arc on them and lower the trailer. let us know how it goes

09-08-2010, 07:44 PM	#10
BigBalsa Junior Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 28	If you are heading home from fishing, you could always just weigh down the trailer with your daily limits of WSB, HBT, and YT... Actually, you might wish to consider mounting the yaks upside down. They tend to get a bit aerodynamic (sorta like a plane's wings) and may actually be "lifting" the trailer at high speeds. Mounted upside down they "may" act in similar fashion to a spoiler. Just a thought. Good luck.