trailer dilemma

You know the drill..

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brianD
Posts: 121
Joined: Mon Aug 15, 2011 2:17 pm
Location: Live in STL, Boat wherever there's enough water to not mess up a prop.

trailer dilemma

#1 Post by brianD » Thu Aug 14, 2014 7:21 pm

Ok, so if you read my post about my billet aluminum hitch you'll know how this all started

I decided to get a fixed drop hitch (steel) and went out to my boat to measure the drop and get 'the right one'. I have a 2011 bear trailer. Bear supplies the trailers for Landau, so I thought that would be best.

Here's what I found.

Using a 4' level I adjusted the tongue jack to make the trailer level at the wheels. Measuring from the ground to the bottom of the frame, I got a consistent 14" in front and behind the dual axle setup. Moving to the tongue, expecting a similar measurement, I found the tongue of the trailer measuring 22" to the bottom of the frame. a WHOPPING 8" difference!!! WHISKEY TANGO FOXTROT!!!

Does anyone else have that much difference between their tongue and the frame at the axle?

It was getting dark, so I couldn't see much detail, but I don't 'see' any evidence of a nasty bend in the trailer, but by my way of thinking this is not right.

What do you think?

b
b

======================
2006 Landau Excalibur 2700
225 Suzuki 4 stroke
2011 Bear tandem trailer
2011 3/4 ton Suburban

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MH Hawker
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Location: West Virginia

Re: trailer dilemma

#2 Post by MH Hawker » Thu Aug 14, 2014 7:38 pm

I ended up using a 2 inch drop ball insert to make my bear trailer level, but i did the measurement with the boat and trailer hooked up in a walmart parking lot, my truck is a 05 silverado.
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lakerunner
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Re: trailer dilemma

#3 Post by lakerunner » Thu Aug 14, 2014 8:18 pm

At one time Bear was a good trailer then they cheapened them with thin tube. Mine was 3"X2" C channel and very solid. The next toon with one I had dealer take it back as it was crap. Then Yacht Club made good trailers and The Bear was replaced with one
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Cycleman07
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Re: trailer dilemma

#4 Post by Cycleman07 » Fri Aug 15, 2014 5:51 am

McClain Aluminum is the only way to go. My .02
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ToonGuy
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Location: Lake Wawasee, Northern IN

Re: trailer dilemma

#5 Post by ToonGuy » Fri Aug 15, 2014 7:02 am

I can not answer your trailer question, but I might mention you can't go my the level alone because you are not taking in to account the suspension squat when you hitch it up. Unless of course you have air ride...
Just one boat...after another, after another :-)

KylefromNJ
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Joined: Thu Apr 10, 2014 7:17 am

Re: trailer dilemma

#6 Post by KylefromNJ » Fri Aug 15, 2014 7:36 am

not sure if this helps, harbor frieght sells an adjustable hitch for $25, $20 after the 20% coupon. I've been using it and it's the best hitch imo. Guy who sold me the trailer was so fascinated by it lol.

http://www.harborfreight.com/8-in-1-adj ... 95991.html

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rockhound
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Re: trailer dilemma

#7 Post by rockhound » Sat Aug 16, 2014 6:32 am

With all the pivot points added in that adjustable hitch I would think it woul allow for a lot of unwanted movement

a lot of boat trailers flex, they don't have a lot of meat to them
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