Preventing Sway with Boat Trailer Info

Updated 06/16/2025 | Published 06/10/2025

Question:

Hi, I was told by my new boat dealer to keep my ball height at 17-19 to top of ball from the ground. However after my first trip on the highway the trailer has tremendous sway even at slower speeds 55 at times dangerous sway until I either speed up or slow way down. I checked the tire pressure which appears within the recommended psi. This new boat has a LOT of weight in the back as its an aluminumbass boat with a merc 200hp and a jack plate and 2 10 Minn Kota Talons. If I flip the ball around I can get more weight to the tongue but the ball height will be 16. Is that ok?

asked by: Dave

Expert Reply:

Hey Dave, I would say that's worth trying but typically you just need the trailer to be as level as possible. Having it more nose down will get more tongue weight though so it could help at least a little bit. The most ideal solution would be to get more tongue weight on the trailer relative to the overall trailer weight. On a boat trailer that is tough as the only way to really do that is to move the axles further back but there could be a way to modify the winch mount of the trailer to move it further forward.

expert reply by: Jameson C

Dave

6/12/2025

Actually the ball height my dealer recommends is 19"-21" from level ground. 16" would offset some of the weight as mentioned and without a double axle trailer may be the only way to help with the weight distribution other than putting actual weights of some sort on the bow.

Jameson C.

6/16/2025

@Dave Thte problem with having it too far nose down is that the suspension won't work properly and the front axle will have more weight on it than the rear axle. Weights on the bow or if there's a way to move the winch mount forward to allow boat to slide on a little further.