Boat Trailer problem

Mikee, turn it upside down? John

mike
if you go to the hayman reese web site they have a tips etc topic and it tells how to use your bathroom scales as a scale for weighing boats vans etc i used there system to weigh my van ball weight 230kgs like you the 1st set of scales went to a better place

steve

Mike
I think your assessment about the low tow ball hight is a CONTRIBUTIG factor to getting death wobbles at/above 70
Another factor is the weight of the towing vehicle(VL weighs 1300 -1400?)being bossed around by a heavier trailer/boat (1500).once the trailer decides to step out,enjoy being the passenger!
The law in NSW is that the TOWING vehicle has to weigh more than what its towing (1:1) for this reason.
I know that in QLD It's different (1:1.5 tow/trailer ratio vehicle permitting)
before going too high on the tow ball height make sure you don't o/load (weight)cos' then you'll have a whole new problem

If my memory serves me correctly, the VL is prone to bending when you ask too much of it in the towing stakes.

The one I had and loved (till Mr 18 had to have it and thrashed it mercilessly for a couple of years, still no preoblem despite 230,000k when he started on it....) but I digress - mine had a tow bar on it which had re-inforcing bars under the boot and everywhere to help stop the bends.

You are expecting a bit much of the VL when you compare it to the towing performance of a LC100, especially as the VL is 20 years old and probably has 20 year old springs and shockers in it.

I think your problems are

1) tow ball height too low
2) car springs too weak - go buy yourself a couple of new taller rear springs and shockers - odds on your front springs and struts will need updating as well, but need not be raised. Air bags may also be needed for what you are expecting to do.
3)Tyres on the VL are possibly inadequate. Your LC100 has significantly better tyre width and strength than the VL. You may benefit from wider wheels and better tyres.
4) Rather than just a higher tow ball height, you may need to get a proper caravan hitch with adjustable ball height and fit sway bars as most sedan owners towing Vans use.

Other than point 4, the suggested improvements are no different from what many 4wd people do to their LC100s (and most other makes) to make them as good as they should be to start with.

Without seeing a photo .......... I'll agree with the above springs and shocks rear and turn the tow hitch over, just for a start. If you in Qld I think at 1500kg you will need trailer brakes not sure if you have them.

Is the commodore a wagon if so maybe its a bit light in the as& and starts to move with the trailer??

Off topic a bit sorry
I had a work trailer built and when I got it. it had the ass of my vehicle well done to say the least I just figured it was the tow vehicle until I got stuffed taking it off as it had 120kg (no sh&T) on the tow ball. I found this out when I took it back and complained about how hard it was to get on and off ............... and it was weighted at thier shop. They rebuilt the trailer, not that they were happy about it. Just needed the axle moved forward a tad helped BIG time.

Brian

if it tows allright with the cruiser it must be the commodore, before you spend all the money on getting the commodore right ,throw 100kgs in the boot & see how it travels, then increase the ball height & see how it travels with the 100kgs then without, or could be the hayman reece isnt dead centre. cheers

Had a similar problem towing a trailer sailor of 2000kg all up.
ED falcon just didn't like it but would cope.
Pajero a lot better.
Put it down to:
1. Heavier weight of the pajero.
2. The shorter rear overhang of the pajero, towball to the axle.
3. The stiffer springs in the back of the pajero.

Didn't think about tow ball height, falcon was lower now you mention it.

When we got the boat, and packed it the way we liked, we noticed that the ball load was very high. So we moved the boat back on the trailer by about 30mm by moving the winch and stop post on the trailer back. It was clamped to the trailer by 2 U bolts. A lot better after that.

Thanks to all for the input. Today being a working day, I rang Sundown Marine and spoke to a guy who fits up new boats to trailers (Keith). The problem as he sees it is that the ball height is too low causing the front axle to carry more weight than the rear one. His advice was:
Increase tyre pressures on trailer to 45 or 50 psi to stiffen up sidewalls.
Fit weight distribution bars to trailer to raise rear of car.
Raise ball height by inverting towbar tongue.
Fit Poly Air bags to rear of car.
If all this fails move 'truck' (wheel set) of trailer back to alter balance although he warned that this will cause other problems.
These Barra up north had better be worth it!!!

Mikee5
You said you put on a Hayman Reese towbar, but nothing about a weight distribution hitch. At 1500kg there should be about 150kg on the ball, would need a 250kg weight distribution hitch to transfer load to front wheels. Sounds like to much weight or rear of car taken off front of car.
Cheers
Charlie