Tongue Weight

[FreeBeeTony]

How much tongue weight is correct? Is it a percentage of the total weight?

 

[Irv964]

Re: Tongue Weight

How much tongue weight is correct? Is it a percentage of the total weight?

For proper balance on a trailer is where it is important, every different size of a boat will have a different tongue weight.
You also need to be aware of the tongue weight rating on your receiver/towing hitch on the vehicle that is hauling it. There are ways to increase that rating safely but overloading the rated tongue weight on any given vehicle is hazardous!.........Irv964

 

[rockyrude]

Re: Tongue Weight

The proper tongue weight IS based on the weight of your rig. It should be between 5% and 10% of your total rig weight, boat motor trailer full fuel tanks full water tank (if you have it) and everything else you need for a day on the water.

 

[LX Kid]

Re: Tongue Weight

Hey FreeBeeTony! I also have to address the issues of tongue weight on my24' GW. The trailer is not correct for my boat and will have to get it into the water so I can work on the trailer. The bunks need spacing outward and boat needs shifting aft about 36". When I bought the boat two weeks ago I had to use a jack to lift the tongue to hitch it up. My son and I figure that it's about 400 lbs tongue weight. Going to need about $500 in parts to do the trailer repairs. Ron

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Tongue Weight

10% to 12% is ideal. Under 10% can make the rig squirelly.

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: Tongue Weight

what about towing a non boat trailer? I have a 4x6 utility trailer for hauling firewood... is tongue weight important in this case?

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Tongue Weight

what about towing a non boat trailer? I have a 4x6 utility trailer for hauling firewood... is tongue weight important in this case?

Yep, ANY trailer with a central axle set (not a dog trailer) requires weight on the tongue for stability at speed.

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: Tongue Weight

So what should be the proper procedure when it comes to towing with a utility trailer? MAke sure the load is spead even throughout?

Boat trailers are easy, because once they are set up, they are good to go. But with my utility trailer the load is always changing...

 

[cdnfthree2]

Re: Tongue Weight

what about towing a non boat trailer? I have a 4x6 utility trailer for hauling firewood... is tongue weight important in this case?

Abosolutely, but with the payload of a 4 x6, you probably woudn't ever know the difference pulling firewood. Mst trailers have a rating that in my experience has been around 60/40-front to back but that is based on the assumtion that your axle is near center and even then, isn't awalys the case. The tandem axles on my boat trailerare directly in the back (where the weight is). My 16 ft. tandem axle utilitly pulls 3 tons the best when all heavy weight sits right on top of the axles. I've nearly been thrown from the freeway by improper loading before. It was scary (too much weight in rear i believe). Braking only make it worse at that point! And you have to have brakes!?

 

[marquette]

Re: Tongue Weight

assuming that you are well within the weight rating of the hitch and the capabilities of the tow vehicle does any body know if there is a problem with too high of a percentage of tongue weight?

 

[KM2]

Re: Tongue Weight

My experience with a 5x8 trailer is, it will tow fine as long as it has tongue weight. I try to load it 60/40. 60% of the weight of the load if front of the axles.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Tongue Weight

5% to 10% is a good guideline. With experience you will find what is right for your particular outfit.

 

[VaGent]

Re: Tongue Weight

I just bought a 21ft Easy Loader trailer to convert into a pontoon boat trailer. The previous owner used it to carry a 19ft heavy boat until he bought a new trailer. This trailer is heavy duty so I know it will carry my 20ft pontoon boat with ease. My question is, will I have to change the axle location in order to get the correct balance & tongue weight or should I leave it where it is now since it was set up this way at the factory?

My pontoon is fairly light as it doesn't have much furniture on it nor do I plan to have a lot either & the engine is a Johnson 70hp with T/T. I "guesstimate" the weight with the engine, batteries (2) & 12 gallons of gas to be somewhere around 1600-1800 lbs at most. The galvanized trialer I am converting is rated for a 3600 GVR boat so I know it will handle the 'toon OK. I'm trying to figure out how to set up the balance point to start with if I can so I won't have problems with it the first time. It also has 15" tires & wheels which I intend to change to 10" wide profile as I hear they are much better to use towing a pontoon boat. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[rockyrude]

Re: Tongue Weight

Pontoons have their weight more evenly distributed than regular boats, you need to get your boat on the trailer and get everything weighed. you need to add the trailer weight in also. since you can't really move a pontoon to change the balance , you will most likely need to move the axle. measure good to keep it square under the trailer.

 

[Scorpion 210 LTD]

Re: Tongue Weight

5% to 10% is a good guideline. With experience you will find what is right for your particular outfit.

I'm sorry to disagree, but 5% is not enough weight on the tongue. Ideal is 10-15%. Under 10% you will have sway issues, over 15% and you may take too much weight off of your tow vehicle's front end effecting both steering and braking.

 

[Scorpion 210 LTD]

Re: Tongue Weight

I just bought a 21ft Easy Loader trailer to convert into a pontoon boat trailer. The previous owner used it to carry a 19ft heavy boat until he bought a new trailer. This trailer is heavy duty so I know it will carry my 20ft pontoon boat with ease. My question is, will I have to change the axle location in order to get the correct balance & tongue weight or should I leave it where it is now since it was set up this way at the factory?

My pontoon is fairly light as it doesn't have much furniture on it nor do I plan to have a lot either & the engine is a Johnson 70hp with T/T. I "guesstimate" the weight with the engine, batteries (2) & 12 gallons of gas to be somewhere around 1600-1800 lbs at most. The galvanized trialer I am converting is rated for a 3600 GVR boat so I know it will handle the 'toon OK. I'm trying to figure out how to set up the balance point to start with if I can so I won't have problems with it the first time. It also has 15" tires & wheels which I intend to change to 10" wide profile as I hear they are much better to use towing a pontoon boat. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

If your gas tanks are moveable, I would suggest moving them forward for the trailer trips. I believe a gallon of gas weighs 6 pounds or so X 12 = 72 pounds per tank. If you are light on the tongue, move one or both forward to achieve your ideal tongue weight.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Tongue Weight

Most utility trailers are built with the axle set behind the center of the trailer to ensure you do obtain the proper tongue weight. However, if a utility trailer is loaded with a variety of stuff ranging from heavy to light, you had best put the heavy stuff up front as improper loading (heavy stuff behind the center line) will cause two things to happen. 1) The trailer will fish-tail like crazy, and 2) The tongue will hit you in the chin if you uncouple the trailer when its loaded.

 

[cribber]

Re: Tongue Weight

If you go with 10 - 15% tongue weight of what your rig is rated to carry, you should not have any problems. Also know your ramps if you're trailering and go with what's comfortable and familiar.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Tongue Weight

The last time I checked GM's trailering guide they too recommended 10-15%. Trailer manufacturers vary in their recommendations. Tandems and tri-axles can get by with less than 10% but I too consider 10% the minimum.

 

[Scorpion 210 LTD]

Re: Tongue Weight

Thanks for the validation Silvertip. I love forums but sometimes it is hard for the original posters to parse through information that sometimes is not correct. If I don't have an answer that I can back up with reasonable proof or, more importantly knowledge, I will not answer.

Please, IRV964 (original poster)- check out manufacturer's websites, and places like etrailer, etc before towing to validate your forum answers.