Our Community is 940,000 Strong. Join Us.


Boat Sway


nosefirst
07-18-2005, 11:11 AM
My 98 1\2 ton 4\4 boat sway was improved a lot when I installed Edlebrock Performance shocks. I'm thinking about trying a bigger (rear)sway bar. Anyone try this?

Thanks, nosefirst.

OKCSuburban
07-22-2005, 12:43 PM
Some things I have found and been told that help trailer sway:

1 Tire pressure on the trailer tires should be at max cold psi when you check in the morning and should be equal on both sides at least. I would recomend max pressure for all tires, remember to check your spair. Some trailer manufacturers recomend replacing your tires every 3-5 years and not pulling over 65mph. If I could I would buy bigger-larger load tires for my boat trailer.. Also make sure you are using trailer tires for your trailer, I have read this makes a difference too. Heat is a killer of tires, max air pressure helps. Many years ago I use to mount tires and remember some tires that looked ok when sitting on the ground did not look so good when we took them off ot the rims, some times tires tear up from the inside to the outside so you can not always tell tire condition from just looking at a mounted tire. I was told today by a tire pro at a local shop that UV rays also cause a tire to age faster, so park in the shade when you can or cover when stored...

2. Angle of towing, your trailer tounge should be level or a little up when you are fully loaded. This seems to help. I pull my boat trailer at a slight up angle. We blew a tire during our last trip and had no sway problem after the tire blew, I shut it down pretty fast so not much of a chance to sway.

3. Tounge weight, should be about 7% give or take a little bit. I tow a single axle trailer. Check with your trailer manufacturer and see what your weight should be. I took my trailer to some scales and weighed boat and trailer connected to the truck and then unhooked from my truck . I was shocked by how much stuff I am carrying when loaded. Check your actual weight and make sure you are not overloading your trailer or tires. I was with in 150 pounds of my trailer tires max weight.

4. Best of luck I like to err on the safe side. When buying a tire or trailer, make sure to check the date codes (wwyy) the last four numbers of the manufactures code = week (1-52) and year (o2 or 03 or 05 what ever) anyway make sure you are getting the newest tires you can (with in the last 6 months of manufacture I would think)

As I have said before, I know nothing and can prove it so do your research and be careful out there.

OKCSuburban
07-22-2005, 12:49 PM
I am currently using Monow Reflex shocks and the factory sway bars front and rear, I like the ride and control of these shocks. So far so good.
2000 Suburban, new body style 4wd, 99K,
Take care.

nosefirst
07-22-2005, 01:46 PM
Sorry OKC, I should have entitled this thread "My Suburban feels like a boat" sway.

I'm looking for comments on installing larger diameter sway bars I've seen available to limit side to side sway while cornering.

nosefirst
07-22-2005, 01:54 PM
By the way, I do pull a 24ft tandem axel trailer. I have a Draw Tite system that has a sway bar on it. Pulls like a dream even in the wind.

I'm thinking about installing a Gear Spliter too, and I'd love to hear from anyone thats done that also.

OKCSuburban
07-24-2005, 12:14 PM
We installed a rear sway bar on my sons 99 model gmc serria p/u. We lowered the rear of the truck about 2 inchs to allow it to sit level too and added new 17inch wheels with 275-60 17 goodyears. It now handles and brakes better than before. I ordered the sway bar from JCWhitney (a HellWig part). Fast service and everything worked just fine. His truck did not have a sway bar from the factory.
Adco (spelling) is another manufacturer I have used in the past and they offered good products that fit and worked too.

Best of luck,

OKCSuburban
07-25-2005, 09:44 PM
How about some of those airbag helper spring things. I saw an ad in Trailer Boating that said you would have reduced sway?!
Seems like somewhere (maybe JCWhitney) I saw some airbag helpers that you put inside of the rear coil springs,
O well just a thought. Anyone have any experience with these?

OKCSuburban
08-17-2005, 07:31 PM
http://www.suspensionconnection.com/
Just went to this site, they look pretty good.
Also check out
www.riderite.com
They had an ad in Trailer Boats

I am thinking of trying the airbags that go inside of the rear springs as I noticed some rear sag the last time we were on our way to the lake.
In the Suburban that is...

nosefirst
08-17-2005, 10:49 PM
[QUOTE=OKCSuburban]http://www.suspensionconnection.com/
Just went to this site, they look pretty good.
Also check out
www.riderite.com



Thanks OKC,

I'm checking out those sway bars right now. Thats exactly what I need...I think. I wish I could hear from someone that's gone to stiffer sway bars.

I was thinking about adding a leaf in back. Someone told me about a kit that puts one leaf on top (over the axel) and leaves the rest the way they they are.

I know someone that did the bags and likes them, and another that doesn't.

OKCSuburban
03-25-2006, 11:43 PM
Well I noticed my suburban had a sag in the rear. I guess 105k and pulling our boat has put a little wear on the springs. I looked for aftermarket heavy duty springs (we use to call them comfort coils or overload springs) but have not found any yet. I did some checking and found the same shock mounts on my suburban as those with air level systems.
I looked at airbag systems that fit inside of the springs, at airshocks and did not want to mess with the airlines and filling and adjusting....
I went with the coil overload shocks, so far so good we just finished a 1500 mile trip and found the ride very good if not better than with just the Reflex shocks. I will be pulling the boat this summer and will post any problems.
Ride height is now correct, it looks as it did when it was new.

Add your comment to this topic!