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Trailer surging

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garystan

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I just got my new two place trailer and have it loaded with my 2009 gti and a 1995 xp. It seems to surge or tug on my car. I know it's not my car, Honda Pilot, and it's ok if the road is very smooth. Could it be too much forward weight? My GTI is about 8" from the rear and the XP about 18". I could move them both back?
 
Do you have the right size ball for the trailer? Honda pilot is not a large capacity tow vehicle, two pwc and a trailer gets heavy. Are there brakes on the trailer?
 
Check the size of the ball you have and make sure it matches up to the trailer tongue. Also check the tongue weight of the trailer and make sure it doesn't exceed the maximum recommended for your vehicle/hitch. I'm guess that's what it is. The Pilot is nothing more than a AWD minivan with a SUV body so towing ability will be limited by design.
 
I have the right hitch and ball, 2". Everything weighs about 1,500 Lbs and the Pilot is good for about 3,000
 
Is a pilot rear wheel drive? When your trailer is unhooked is it easy too tip the skis back?
 
Check the tongue weight, it should be between 50-75lbs. and adjust the position of the skis to vary the tongue weight. You can check the tongue weight with a piece of 2x4 the same height as the hitch and a bathroom scale.

Lou
 
Doing some searching an DRY weight alone on the two ski's is over 1600. Now add in all the fuel/ oil at 7lbs a gallon. Plus add in all the other stuff you have in/ on them. Then add the trailer. You are much higher than you know. Take it to a scale and check.

You also tell us you are driving with a broken AWD system. Pretty easy to figure why you would be having problems.
 
I'm pretty sure you will find the tongue weight is too heavy...

You really need to weigh the tongue weight so you can see where you are.

You will be able to move the skis back some or in many cases the axle(s) forward. Either will accomplish a fix assuming the tongue weight is the issue.

I have seen where an axle was not square and it acts like it puts a load on the vehicle and then dumps the load creating a surge. Measure from the ball socket back to a common place on both sides of the axle, they should be nearly identical numbers...
 
Doing some searching an DRY weight alone on the two ski's is over 1600. Now add in all the fuel/ oil at 7lbs a gallon. Plus add in all the other stuff you have in/ on them. Then add the trailer. You are much higher than you know. Take it to a scale and check.

You also tell us you are driving with a broken AWD system. Pretty easy to figure why you would be having problems.

the 95 XP weighs in at 412 lbs the 2009 is about 800-850 or so. plus the weight of trailer, gas, misc.
 
the 95 XP weighs in at 412 lbs the 2009 is about 800-850 or so. plus the weight of trailer, gas, misc.

Physical Dimensions
The Sea-Doo XP 1995 model is 103 inches long, 36.2 inches high and 41.3 inches wide. The dry weight of the watercraft is 815 lbs. and it has a load limit of 353 lbs.
 
Physical Dimensions
The Sea-Doo XP 1995 model is 103 inches long, 36.2 inches high and 41.3 inches wide. The dry weight of the watercraft is 815 lbs. and it has a load limit of 353 lbs.

I viewed the link you included but it doesn't show up here on the post (it did in my email notice)
The weight must be a misprint, there is no way a 95 XP weighs as much as a 4 stroke does now.

My source was seadoosource.com......my 96 GTX with a 787 weighs in dry at 575 lbs.
 
If misprinted than yes number will be lower, but I still think he is much higher than 1500 lbs. A 2wd pilot is rated a 2000 lbs. That is essentially what he has, or worse, considering only his front drive is working.
 
The big problem is you are trying to tow with a broken drive-train. You MUST get that fixed before you try towing even the lightest loads. Otherwise you risk major vehicle damage, but even worse you are a danger to everyone. Your vehicle does not have the control it should. If you loose control of your load and have a wreck, your insurance company may not cover you leaving you to pay all damages and medical bills. Rhetorical question, how much is the cost of fixing your drive-train? A human life? Sorry to be so harsh but all of our families travel on these roads. IMHO its irresponsible to tow with a broken vehicle.
 
Do you have a solid, one piece hitch or hitch that adjusts in height? I recently bought a hitch that adjusts up/down up to 7 1/2" lowered or raised. Because it is a two-piece, there is some play in the hitch and allows for the occasional 'surge/bounce'.
 
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