How do I get my 60 to tow better

[Stooge]

OK so I was towing a boat on the weekend probably would have been about 750kg in a little bit of side wind and the back end would get up a sway side to side when you get a bit of rough rode nothing dangerous just enough to make it uncomfortable, so how do I stop this is there any easy fix.

The car is running on stock suspension with only 31” tires, already has a sway bar and new shocks in the rear.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance

 

[Wile E Coyote]

750 kg is well within a 60's capabilities, so how about simply a sway-control hitch setup?
Equal-i-zer® Hitch - The “American Original” with 4-Point Sway Control™ and Weight Distribution
Also:
The trailer could have been loaded or designed improperly contributing to the sway, think improper tongue weight. Could also just be the ball was too high for the trailer's ideal height, again, somewhat related to the tongue weight idea before.

 

[Stooge]

My dad has used the equalizer setup on much larger boats to find it has very little effect, and the down weight on the ball couldn't be more than 50-60kg one person can lift it very easy, although I guess if it is causing lift at the ball that could do it.

I just thought there may be something obvious that I am not thinking of, could warn bushes in the leaf springs do it?

 

[hicruise55]

If one person can "lift it very easy" it sounds like there is not enough tongue weight?

I have towed many cars with no problem (loaded correctly) but had to haul a car backwards (facing rearward) one time and holy $H!T. All my boat trailers have allowed you to move the axle if needed for balance. Is this the only thing you have ever towed? I very frequently tow my 4700# (loaded) boat with my 62, its NOT fast, but it gets it done and other than power-really tows like a dream!

 

[cfdlighthouse]

OK so I was towing a boat on the weekend probably would have been about 750kg in a little bit of side wind and the back end would get up a sway side to side when you get a bit of rough rode nothing dangerous just enough to make it uncomfortable, so how do I stop this is there any easy fix.

The car is running on stock suspension with only 31” tires, already has a sway bar and new shocks in the rear.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance

slow down....... unless you have a balance issue tow vehicle to trailer; trailer to tow vehcile; or improper loading on the trailer heavy on one side as opposed to the other most sway issues are related to speed. although you need to check tire pressure on both tow and trailer, trailer alignment can also cause tracking issues. however depending on the road the sway is most liekly a suspension bounce due to the lack of weight of the trailer. again lower speed will help correct that

 

[D'Animal]

Very good advice.

slow down....... unless you have a balance issue tow vehicle to trailer; trailer to tow vehicle; or improper loading on the trailer heavy on one side as opposed to the other most sway issues are related to speed.

You need to check tire pressure on both tow and trailer, trailer alignment can also cause tracking issues.

Depending on the road the sway is most likely a suspension bounce due to the lack of weight of the trailer. again lower speed will help correct that

 

[FJ40Jim]

My dad has used the equalizer setup on much larger boats to find it has very little effect, and the down weight on the ball couldn't be more than 50-60kg one person can lift it very easy, although I guess if it is causing lift at the ball that could do it.

I just thought there may be something obvious that I am not thinking of?

That's pretty obvious. Tongue weight needs to be at least 10% of the trailer weight. The more tongue weight, the more stable the trailer is.

In extreme situations w/ way too much tongue weight, the tow vehicle will get squirrelly because the rear suspension is bottomed out and the front axle is coming off the ground. But up to that point, it's all good.

 

[Stooge]

Its not the only boat that I have towed with it, I have towed a much heavier boat, but only at 50km/hr max through town and didn't notice anything because I was only towing for about 15mins, it starts to sway at about 70km/hr and gets worse as I speed up. The probelm is on long trips on the highway were you need to do atleast 90km/hr if it was only short trips I wouldn't worry about it, but I'm talking 3.5hours each way and a full days spearfishing in between so you sort of want to be a bit more comfortable and if possible spend as little time on the road as you can.

I would just adjust the trailer but its not mine and it tows fine on the owners sedan but we need to beach launch in most spots so its out of the question.

what tire pressure do you guys reccomend for towing? I am currently running at about 32-35PSI depending on temperature

 

[cfdlighthouse]

i have several trailers dual axle flat bed, dual axle boat, 34 foot fifth wheel camper and i use 90% of the tires max cold psi inflation. that provide good inflation for the tire for both wear and handling. I use a dually to tow with using e-rated tires and when towing my camper, boat and loaded flatbed, i run max cold psi for stability and side wall rigidity. increase psi closer to max cold psi on the tire gives good road manners but poor offroad performance as a stiff tire does not have the pliability/traction in loose dirt that a tire with less inflation.

I did have one thought. if your friends sedan tows the boat fine the air turbulence from the brick you are driving may be causing the light weight boat trailer aero problems thus explaining your swaying. if thats the case the only fix is to not tow with a brick or to get a heavier boat.