Help with trailer???? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Mudder · 10-17-2018, 09:31 PM

My trailer for my Cub Cadet 5x8 wants to wiggle back and forth when doing 45+ mph. It has new trailer tires on 15 inch rims. For the size of trailer it is pretty heavy. I haven't used or pulled a trailer much but I don't think it should be doing this or why. I do know about the stablizers you can get but I really don't want to spend any more on it.

**Ironhorse** · 10-17-2018, 09:54 PM

Mudder, just a thought but had a similar experience pulling a trailer some years ago. Found out I had too much weight aft, behind the single axle. Made that trailer squirrely as he** til I learned that fact. Since then I always load the trailer heavy at the tongue. Maybe?

**mongocanfly** · 10-17-2018, 10:01 PM

Agree with iron horse...to heavy behind the axle....is the trailer homemade or factory?,,,,the axle should be at 60-65% of the trailer length...I've built several (quite a few) trailers and i always set my axles at 65% for bumper hitch...with a gooseneck you can go 70-75%...
don't pull it!!!...the death wobble will get you...you really need a bigger/longer trailer it sounds like so you can get more weight on the hitch

Brentwe · 10-17-2018, 10:34 PM

What they say is right, axle location on home-built can be off, most factory build have plenty of room forward of axle. But when you load you should shoot for 10 to 15% of your trailer gross weight on the tongue. Light tongue weight will cause trailer wag.

rsavage · 10-18-2018, 06:47 AM

Is your hitch too high? Trailer tongue should be level. If it is too high trailer will act as you describe. You can get a drop hitch that slides into your receiver in various drops such as 2", 4", 6" etc.

**special-K** · 10-18-2018, 07:28 AM

Tail wag comes from more weight behind axle than over or in front. Ideally you want it balanced over the axle with a slight plus to the front. You can load heavy to the front, but with a large load that means heavy on the tongue... as far as load balance/load handling does. Won't cause handling issues. I assume your trailer is a store-bought one with more platform forward of axle than behind. Is the lawn tractor able to move forward? Were you loading it with rear forward? the rear is much lighter than the front.

Mudder · 10-18-2018, 07:34 AM

Ok I think you guys solved the problem. It is a factory built trailer. Hitch is too high but Yesterday the mower was about 8 inches back to what I normally placed it. The larger tires has helped with leveling (better than it was). This was the first time I have used it since I got the new tires. The wobble wasn't that bad but got my attention.

Thanks everyone you all are great.

**A1971Blazer** · 10-18-2018, 08:59 AM

Good illustration here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2fkOVHAC8Q

Shinysideup · 10-19-2018, 03:50 PM

Use a drop hitch and get it leveled out.

10-17-2018, 09:31 PM	#1
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,339	Help with trailer???? My trailer for my Cub Cadet 5x8 wants to wiggle back and forth when doing 45+ mph. It has new trailer tires on 15 inch rims. For the size of trailer it is pretty heavy. I haven't used or pulled a trailer much but I don't think it should be doing this or why. I do know about the stablizers you can get but I really don't want to spend any more on it.

10-17-2018, 09:54 PM	#2
Ironhorse Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Wellington, Ks Posts: 10,015	Re: Help with trailer???? Mudder, just a thought but had a similar experience pulling a trailer some years ago. Found out I had too much weight aft, behind the single axle. Made that trailer squirrely as he** til I learned that fact. Since then I always load the trailer heavy at the tongue. Maybe? __________________ 1971 Chevy 1/2T 4x4 LWB 350 V-8 Was sm465-now 350TH/np205 Tilt, Tach, Towhooks Original Truck AM/FM Wellington, Ks

10-17-2018, 10:01 PM	#3
mongocanfly Post Whore Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alabama Posts: 14,582	Re: Help with trailer???? Agree with iron horse...to heavy behind the axle....is the trailer homemade or factory?,,,,the axle should be at 60-65% of the trailer length...I've built several (quite a few) trailers and i always set my axles at 65% for bumper hitch...with a gooseneck you can go 70-75%... don't pull it!!!...the death wobble will get you...you really need a bigger/longer trailer it sounds like so you can get more weight on the hitch __________________ Mongo...aka Greg RIP Dad RIP Jesse 1981 C30 LQ9 NV4500..http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=753598 Mongos AD- LS3 TR6060...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...34#post8522334 Columbus..the 1957 IH 4x4...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...63#post8082563 2023 Chevy Z71..daily driver

10-17-2018, 10:34 PM	#4
Brentwe Registered User Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Chetwynd, BC Posts: 58	Re: Help with trailer???? What they say is right, axle location on home-built can be off, most factory build have plenty of room forward of axle. But when you load you should shoot for 10 to 15% of your trailer gross weight on the tongue. Light tongue weight will cause trailer wag. __________________ Brent W 66 short step 4 x 4

10-18-2018, 06:47 AM	#5
rsavage Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Alden NY Posts: 2,705	Re: Help with trailer???? Is your hitch too high? Trailer tongue should be level. If it is too high trailer will act as you describe. You can get a drop hitch that slides into your receiver in various drops such as 2", 4", 6" etc. __________________ 1961 C1 Corvette 1959 El Camino 350 TPI, 9" 4 w disc 69 Blazer K5 - sold July '20 2021 Durango RT 5.7

10-18-2018, 07:28 AM	#6
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,863	Re: Help with trailer???? Tail wag comes from more weight behind axle than over or in front. Ideally you want it balanced over the axle with a slight plus to the front. You can load heavy to the front, but with a large load that means heavy on the tongue... as far as load balance/load handling does. Won't cause handling issues. I assume your trailer is a store-bought one with more platform forward of axle than behind. Is the lawn tractor able to move forward? Were you loading it with rear forward? the rear is much lighter than the front. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ Last edited by special-K; 10-18-2018 at 08:14 AM.

10-18-2018, 07:34 AM	#7
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,339	Re: Help with trailer???? Ok I think you guys solved the problem. It is a factory built trailer. Hitch is too high but Yesterday the mower was about 8 inches back to what I normally placed it. The larger tires has helped with leveling (better than it was). This was the first time I have used it since I got the new tires. The wobble wasn't that bad but got my attention. Thanks everyone you all are great.

10-18-2018, 08:59 AM	#8
A1971Blazer Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 2,106	Re: Help with trailer???? Good illustration here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2fkOVHAC8Q __________________ 1967 C10 Step side 1968 C10 Step side 1970 Chevrolet K/5 Blazer 1972 Chevrolet K/5 Blazer .............



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