Trailer Ball Height to Increase Tongue Weight to Help with Sway Control on a Single Axle Fish House
Products Featured in This Question
Question:
I have a 16 ice castle single axel fish house that sways quite a bit. I have an adjustable hitch on my pickup and I would like to know, do I raise or lower the height of the ball to increase tungue weight?
asked by: Lyle B
Expert Reply:
You should have the hitch ball height set so that the trailer tows as level as possible behind your pickup. If there is a setting that goes between slightly higher than level and slightly lower than level, opt for the slightly lower setting, when the trailer is sitting on the trailer ball.
An increase in tongue weight will most likely help with your sway situation. Adding weight in front of the trailer axles would be the best way to increase the tongue weight, just make sure you stay within the capacities of your towing setup.
If you still have issues with sway after correctly setting the ball height and adding weight to the front of the trailer, you might want to consider adding a sway control unit and bracket. You could use the Reese Friction Sway Control Kit, # 83660, along with a Reese Sway-Control Bracket, # RP26003, if your adjustable ball mount will accommodate the sway control bracket.
We have a section in our weight distribution article that explains this type of sway control for you to review, see link.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Reese Sway-Control Bracket for 2" Ball Mounts - Class III and IV
- Accessories and Parts
- Weight Distribution Hitch
- Adapters
- Sway Control Parts
- Brackets
- Reese
more information >
Featured Help Information
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Shop: Replacement Shank for Gen-Y Adjustable Ball Mount - 2" Hitch - 7-1/2" Drop/Rise - 10K
- Shop: B&W Continuum Weight Distribution System w/ Sway Control for 2" Hitch - 16K GTW, 1.6K TW
- Shop: B&W Continuum Weight Distribution System w/ Sway Control for 2.5" Hitch - 16K GTW, 1.6K TW
- Shop: Valterra Waste Valve for RV Black Water Tank - Twist On - 3" Bayonet Hooks to 3" Lug
- Shop: Roadmaster Rear Anti-Sway Bar - 1-1/8" Diameter
- Shop: Replacement Shank for Curt Adjustable Ball Mount
- Shop: Reese Steadi-Flex Weight Distribution System w/ Sway Control - Trunnion - 12K GTW, 1.2K TW
- Video: Checking Out the Curt TruTrack Weight Distribution System w/ Sway Control
- Search Results: weight distribution hitch
- Shop: Suspension Enhancement
- Video: A Closer Look at the Reese Steadi-Flex Weight Distribution System w/ Sway Control
- Search Results: rp66560
- Search Results: come up winch
- Q&A: Can My Spare Trailer Tire Be A Lower Load Range Than The Rest Of My Tires
- Article: Parts Needed to Add Electric Drum Brakes to a Trailer
- Article: Determining Trailer Tongue Weight
- Search Results: tongue weight scale
- Q&A: Common Torque Specifications for Lug Nut Size
- Q&A: What Is The Torque Specifications On A 9/16 Inch Lug Nut
- Q&A: Wheel Stud Recommendation to Fit Dexter 7,000 lb Hubs
- Search Results: rp66561
- Shop: Brake Controller
- Search Results: axel
- Search Results: reese steadi~flex
- Video: Bright Way Trailer Breakaway Kit with Switch Review
- Video: Detailed Breakdown of the Dexter Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly for 3,500-lb Axles
- Video: Demco 5-Position Adjustable Channel Bracket Review
- Video: Breaking Down the Karrier ST175/80R13 Radial Trailer Tire with 13" Aluminum Wheel
- Video: Lippert Bolt-On Shock Kit w/ Heavy Duty Gas Shocks Review
- Article: 5 Things to Know About Weight Distribution Hitches
on Accessories and Parts
Mark K.
6/5/2020
i have a 23 ft trailer with a 22 ft i/o. the entire package weighs 5500 lbs. while towing, i experienced major trailer sway. i measured the tongue weight and it was only 220 lbs. i moved the boat forward as far as i could, (2.5 inches) and it increased to 330 lbs. my next step is to move the axle more to the rear. do you think i can assume a rule of thumb in my case, that 2.5 inches of weight moving forward will gain 110 lbs? or is there another way to figure out how far to move it, or just do a little at a time and measure along the way? my trailer total length is 23 ft 3 inches, with the transom even with the trailer and the outdrive and wood swim platform overhanging. thanks for any advice you can give me,