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I have a 1995 Ranger 482VS on a Tandem Ranger trail. It seems like the boat weighs a ton while towing. I use a chevy z71 w/ 5.7 liter v8 to tow with. I have towed another boat (Procraft 210 with tandem trailer) and you can't even tell its behind the truck. i have cheked the bearings and they appear to be fine, the brakes seem to work fine, what else could it be?
Modified by grassycreek at 2:10 PM 3/2/2010
sounds like the brakes may be dragging, or maybe the boat axle isn't square with the trailer ?
Are the trailer tires wearing even ?
are you sure the truck brakes are working right ? I ask because you mention a tandem trailer towing fine, and a single axle trailer may put more weight on the tongue. if your truck has a load sensing valve to increase the pressure to the rear brakes when loaded, it may be acting up and causing the trucks rear brakes to drag, especially when the road is letgin the trailer bounce and increase the load on the truck rear suspension (single axle trailer will do this more than a tandem axle trailer will)
tires are wearing even, both trailers mentioned are tandem trailers.
I'd check both the total weight and tongue weight of the rig. Tongue weight can really mess with your awareness of the trailer.
how do you check the tongue weight?
Pretty easy to check whether the surge brakes are "on" while you're towing. If even a little, the bearings and hubs on that axle will be much warmer than the ones on the axle without the brake. Next outing, cautiously check how hot all the hubs are.
If the brakes are holding enough to easily detect it when driving, you're at risk of melting seals, losing lubricant, and burning up the bearings.
I've used a 4X4 about 2ft long. Set the rig so the wheels are off the scale, then lower the jack just enough to set the coupler onto the end of the 4X4. Walk off the scale and read it.