BoatMate equalizer is causing shackles to touch the frame. Any ideas?

[salbertson]

We have a 2024 G23 on a BoatMate triple axle and the suspension didn't seem right from the dealer. I've tried raising and lowering the tongue but it doesn't make a difference. All shackles favor the same direction.

Any idea why the equalizers aren't more equal?

All pictures are taken from the driver/port side, so front of the trailer is to the left.

[Scooter G]

I wonder if you have an oddball (long) spring on the fronts, Friday build at quitting time.
Both sides are the same positioning (let's hope)? Tire wear normal? Fender to tire clearance similar on all 3? I think mine sit's a little closer on the fronts regardless of tongue height.
I'll take a glance at mine this week, maybe they are doing the same thing and I just haven't noticed.

[Scooter G]

Low & behold, both front & rear are doing the same thing on my trailer. I will say, I have to back in on my final approach to the shop. I would like to see what these look like with a forward tug, also with the boat off, maybe no difference. This one is out of my geometry wheelhouse. Trailer does pull fantastic.

[salbertson]

Thanks for checking Scooter G

I'll keep an eye on it, let me know if you notice any difference.

[Scooter G]

I'll keep an eye on this also, there is not a lot out there with concerns, and at the end of the day not sure there is much to worry about.
I didn't see any scar tissue on the frame, but yours on the other hand, thinking metal to metal contact may not be a good thing over time. A good spring shop would probably have a solution with a price tag. You think Boatmate with all their tenure and trailers out the door would have this dialed in (Opening a can of worms here), or maybe it's just a triple axle thing.
Great article on the 101 of spring equalizers:

https://mechanicalelements.com/suspe...dY2iLYiSE2NYax

[Cpan13]

Boatmate trailers are junk. I’m 4 for 4 with major issues. Our next G23 won’t be on a boatmate.

[SilentSeven]

So I had a similar issue on my non-boatmate trailer.

Had to significantly raise the nose of my trailer with a revised hitch to resolve. A picture of your rig/trailer combo hooked up would be helpful.

[Scooter G]

I'm towing level. Boat loads super nice once we figured out the perfect depth, major learning curve in the beginning.
Trip to the lake on Friday, both equalizers are cocked towards the rear of the boat on each side, similar to salbertson's picture but opposite direction. I forgot to take a look with the trailer empty. If I had to guess, I would say a little longer spring on the rear axle would push the system back to level, but I'm not too worried about it. I'll grab some pictures next time we are loaded up.

[Scooter G]

Cpan13 have you taken a look at your equalizers, how are they riding?

[Scooter G]

Took a closer look. My cause for concern here is the spacing between the tires, I would think they would be close to equal, have about an inch difference on each side. As long as the wheels are rolling straight maybe that's ok. We took a few long distant trips this Summer, along with 40 or so hops to our local lakes, and not seeing any abnormal tire wear. I think I'll bump the pictures over to Boatmate and a local spring shop, see what there take is. The only think I can come up with is spring sag, but on a 3 year old trailer seems odd.

[Scooter G]

Update:
Scott from Boatmate got right back to me on the phone from an email inquiry. He said they lock those equalizers down (tighten) for shipping purposes, and they also go through the paint rack after they are locked down. They put red tags on the equalizers, and it is up to the Dealer to loosen the bolts prior to delivery on both the springs and equalizers. Loosen, tighten, back off one half turn. He said he's seen trailers go for years still tightened down but will eventually start to cause tire wear issues.
Scott also indicated that they have been severely short staffed for many moons, and they are ramped up and rolling now, for what it's worth. I've never had a problem with Boatmate, and they have always been great with whatever I've needed addressed over the last 20 years (since our 1st Boatmate Trailer). I know others have not had the same experience, sorry to hear. I also reached out to a local Spring Shop, he threw some spaghetti at the wall, but did also mention to check the tightness of the bolts to make sure they were not binding.
I'll give the loosen method a run and see what prevails.

[SilentSeven]

Wow. Interesting.

He said they lock those equalizers down (tighten) for shipping purposes, and they also go through the paint rack after they are locked down. They put red tags on the equalizers, and it is up to the Dealer to loosen the bolts prior to delivery on both the springs and equalizers.

[salbertson]

Scooter G no way! I hope that's it, I'll adjust ours and report back.

Thanks for getting in touch with BoatMate. What email address did you use?

[Scooter G]

I just used there website submission form and indicated service from the drop down.
https://www.boatmatetrailers.com/contact.php
Both our trailers are still covered under their 5 year warranty if push comes to shove.
I'm almost positive that loosening will be the cure, my question now is how much uneven spring wear has occurred from the system being bound (prolly not a big deal)?

[SilentSeven]

I'd be surprised if any serious damage occurred. That said, there are typically nylon or even brass through bolt bushings inside the extender and spring mount. It's possible they incurred some premature wear. Look like these - https://pacifictrailers.com/pages/se...page?q=bushing

Curious to know how keeping these bolts tight improves shipping. From the anecdote shared above that dealers forget to set during delivery prep, seems like setting the final bolt torque at the factory would be a more reliable approach.