Trailer for 200 Sun deck

[Banagy]

I have at 2005 200 sun deck with two axle trailer that has been back to the dealer three times for the same problem. I tow the trailer with a 2007 Saab 97X. The problem is: When I apply the brakes to slow down or stop the trailer , boat and vehicle shakes. The first time back to the dealer they only inspected the trailer brakes and found no problem. The second time they dismantle and reassemble the brakes. Third time Shorlander gave all new parts< lining, drums,and brake cylinders. Still the problem when stopping trailer and SUV shakes. Anyone have any other suggestions?

 

[Geurk]

I am betting you and/or the dealer already checked this, but are you towing it completely level? I know that when we had a 2" drop hitch (barely off level) the surge brakes would shake once engaged, almost like it was trying to apply the brakes, but it wasn't quite compressing all the way.

Once we leveled out everything it has worked perfectly.

 

[Banagy]

I will check to make sure it is level as soon as the boat is out of storage. The third time the dealer kept the vehicle, boat and trailer. Thanks for the tip.

 

[HavingFun]

I am betting you and/or the dealer already checked this, but are you towing it completely level? I know that when we had a 2" drop hitch (barely off level) the surge brakes would shake once engaged, almost like it was trying to apply the brakes, but it wasn't quite compressing all the way.

Once we leveled out everything it has worked perfectly.

I was checking out the picture of your nice aft. That Kawasaki must be a screamer. Also how is it hooked to your boat trailer? Can you backup the Kawasaki while its attached to the boat? Sorry for getting off topic.

 

[Geurk]

No we can't back it up unfortunately, the trade off for this setup is a complicated ramp experience. It isn't difficult anymore as we have a routine, but it does take a little time. Unhitch the pwc on a level area where i can easily re-attach by myself. Launch the boat with wife and kids and she sits out in the no-wake zone and waits for me. Park the boat trailer in a spot where I can easily park the truck + jet ski trailer. Re-attach jet ski trailer to truck. Launch jet ski. Dock jet ski. Park truck + jet ski trailer near boat trailer and chain them off. (Many places tow unhitched trailers but with the chain it shoes I haven't left it I just have more than one). Go back to dock and get on the jet ski. Reverse that when we leave.

Leveling the boat trailer, in my application, is of utmost importance. Also maintaining consistent speeds on the interstates to reduce sway on the jet ski. Braking is a non-issue, and as far as smoothness of the ride, it feels better when the ski is attached than when its not. Backing up, again, is avoided at all costs.

Its connected with a full receiver and a 2" reverse dropped extended insert with 2" ball. Trailer lights are extended to a 4 pin harness as well. Safety chain loops were installed too. The after-market hitch, if removed, looks like a trailer beam with a receiver welded underneath it that extends to the last beam beneath the trailer. It is painted black and bolted underneath right after the second to last beam on the trailer, with another bolt going from the top of the last beam through the receiver. So 3 bolted mount points.

And yes, the acceleration on the 250x is unbelievable at all rpm ranges. I real thrill to ride.

 

[First Born]

Probably not the problem but have you tried towing with a different SUV to see if it that has anything to do with it. :huh: Not sure exactly what the towing capacity of a Saab is.

 

[Geurk]

On First Born's note, you say you have a 2005 boat and a 2007 saab. What was your previous tow vehicle and did it have the same issue? Or is the 2005 a 'new to you' boat?

 

[Banagy]

The first vehicle I had was a trailblazer when I purchased the boat in 2006 and the same problem of shaking when the brakes were applied. The more pressure applied to the pedal the more shaking. After I got the 2007 Saab with auto leveling, the same problem stayed with the trailer and boat. Oh by the way the Saab is nothing but a Trailblazer with different name plates attached. As soon as I get the boat out of storage, I am going to put a level on the trailer behind the surge control to make sure the height of the ball is correct.

 

[First Born]

The first vehicle I had was a trailblazer when I purchased the boat in 2006 and the same problem of shaking when the brakes were applied.

Again have you tried to tow the boat and trailer with a real SUV and see if the problem is still there :smt043, ok I am being kinda serious but mainly joking. :huh:

 

[Banagy]

The towing GVW of the Saab is 5500 The weight of boat and trailer is 4857 as per the scale at the feed mill. I will try a 1500 Silverado with extended cab when the boat comes out of storage later this month. The only reason for the Saab is my daughter was marketing manage for the 97X

 

[Newbie]

What kind of braking system? I'm guessing hydraulic surge with Tie Down Eng components. If you have backed it uphill with much more than a little bit of pressure on the system, the TDE caliper brackets can and will bend causing the shaking you describe. It happened to me 3 times before I found the real cause of the prob. SB