Adding tongue weight

[SweeperForce]

Hello,
I have seached this forum but can't find a definite answer about adding tongue weight.
I just bought a new Shoreliner single axel bunk trailer for my 18 foot ski/fish boat. The boat weighs 1200 pounds and the trailer 600. At 10% the tongue should weigh 180lbs. I can pick it up with one hand. I didn't put a scale under it but I imagine it's around 50-60lbs. I have not had problems with traction on the ramps and no swaying while driving. My only concern is if I park uphill and severe wind gusts could flip it over. I have a 150hp OB at 350lbs. I do however crank the trailer all the way down while in storage.
If I slide the wheels/axel back, that should increase my tongue weight right? The only thing holding the axel in place are U bolts. It doesn't look to hard. The difficult part is getting the axel perfectly square to the frame.


Thanks,
Tom

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Adding tongue weight

Mount your spare on the tounge and call it good enough. My boat/trailer weighs 3000lbs and I sure as heck don't run 300lbs of tounge weight. Car trailer weighs 6K with the jeep on it and I don't run 600lbs on that. Hundred lbs or so works just fine. I put on 10K of towing miles a year with no issues

 

[CatTwentyTwo]

Re: Adding tongue weight

When I moved my axles I just marked the frame on both sides and used a tape measure to make sure that I moved the axle the same amount on both sides. Have you looked at your winch stand, maybe it could be moved forward a bit?

 

[nlain]

Re: Adding tongue weight

Can you move the winch post forward a couple inches and that will move the boat forward adding weight tounge weight

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Adding tongue weight

I would move the winch post forward just a bit. Also, if you haul gear in the boat, put it towards the bow vs aft.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Adding tongue weight

If around 50-60 lbs is too light, those parameters are for lighter boats and trailers towed with a compact car. Better move wheel axle bit back to have at least 100 lbs, being so light at the moment any light feather champ will be able to raise hitch upwards and boat/trailer combo make a 2 wheel wheely, worst scenario, if boat is not well secured could slide from tariler and into the floor with terrible consequences to your wallet.

Happy Boating

 

[JB]

Re: Adding tongue weight

First, be sure that the boat is correctly located on the trailer frame. . .support under the transom. Locate the winch stand to fit that.

Then, and only then, locate the axle cradle to achieve a safe tongue weight. Your rig wants 180 pounds.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Adding tongue weight

Put some gear in the front when travelling if you need more weight up there. Simple, cheap and you get to leave the wrenches in the toolbox. Check the actual tongue weight with the bathroom scales.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Adding tongue weight

5% is acceptable so 90~100lbs would be OK.
It is not unstable at speed so you are just adjusting it for when you are un-hooked.

Mounting the axel on the frame crooked is not the end of the world. It is only a cosmetic issue*.
The trailer will just follow the tow vehicle slightly off to one side or the other.
If it is not directly behind, move the wheel on the outside forward a tad.

* It is only a cosmetic issue as long as the trailer is not in the oncoming lane or taking out mail boxes that is!