William Boyd

Nehmo wrote:

> "Pull-behind" trailers are trailers that connect to the tow vehicle by
> a ball (or other attaching arrangement) on the back of tow vehicle and
> a trailer hitch on the tongue attached to the front of the frame of the
> trailer. If the trailer is improperly-loaded into a tail-heavy
> condition (in other words, the center of gravity is to the rear of the
> center of the axles) arrangement, it will sway from side to side. But
> why? Why would tail-heavy conditions cause such behavior? The weight on
> the tongue would be negative, but I still can't understand the swaying
> mechanism.
My thoughts are that the CG is behind the tires, they become the
steering mechanism rather than the tung. The trailer axles do not have
caster / camber and tow in alignment to hold it steady. The increased
sway can be caused by wallowing of the tire, the more the wallow the
more the sway, and the more the sway the more the wallow.
One thing I do know, if you want to spread gravel just load it in the
back of the trailer and get it up to speed, but watch it, the sway will
be soon swaying the tow vehicle from bar ditch to bar ditch, do not try
this with any one around so the can see you. They might think it is a
stupid trick and it is. ;-)

--

BILL P.

2004, 2500 SLT Quad Cab, Dodge Ram,
SLT, SWB, 2WD,
5.9 HO Turbo Diesel, 48RE Auto Trans,
Anti-Spin 3.73 Dif.Rhino Liner,
Husky 16K. Voyager Controller
2005, 27RL Wildcat, DT/PC Wi-Fi.
Dual EU2000i Hondas
Just Me and Dog