how far back

[murrayfish]

I'm working on a trailer for my F-18 and wonder how far back the boat should sit in relation to the last roller? And also how to locate the wheel location front to back. It's a single axle trailer. Here is the only picture I have at the moment. That is the donor boat at the dump.

 

[NYBo]

Re: how far back

The last roller should be within a couple of inches of the transom.

 

[EddiePetty]

Re: how far back

The last roller should be within a couple of inches of the transom.

After the hull is adjusted to the last rollers, re-position the bow stop of the winch stand just above the bow eye. Then position the axle to provide approximately 10% of the total weight of the loaded trailer on the tongue.

 

[murrayfish]

Re: how far back

10%? My boat is 2800lbs empty.... I can't see a tongue weight of 280lbs...

 

[superbenk]

Re: how far back

I can tell you with confidence that, based on your picture, as it currently sits it's WAAAY too far back

 

[Bondo]

Re: how far back

10%? My boat is 2800lbs empty.... I can't see a tongue weight of 280lbs...

Ayuh,... Welcome Aboard,.... What'd ya have in mind for tongue weight,..??

 

[murrayfish]

Re: how far back

I can tell you with confidence that, based on your picture, as it currently sits it's WAAAY too far back

I do see that now!

 

[murrayfish]

Re: how far back

Ayuh,... Welcome Aboard,.... What'd ya have in mind for tongue weight,..??

Something I could move without a truck. Seems I need to do some reading.

 

[roscoe]

Re: how far back

Get yourself a nice heavy duty tongue jack.

So wet weight plus trailer is going to be 4000# ??

Yes, 300-400# tongue weight.

You are still talking about pushing 4000# around by hand, but at least you won't be trying to lift it at the same time.

I think you better plan on using the truck.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: how far back

Something I could move without a truck. Seems I need to do some reading.

If the Boat is 2800 lbs empty it will be well over 3000 lbs with fuel and minimal gear.
Add another 700lbs for the trailer. Puts you at 3700+ lbs ready to roll.

10% would be more like 370lb. 7% is still over 250lbs.
You're a better man than I am if you can lift that by hand for more than a second.

The trailer likely has a tongue jack with a wheel that will make moving it possible without the truck.

 

[Alwhite00]

Re: how far back

What roller? Looks like a bunk trailer.

LK

 

[86 century]

Re: how far back

The 10% rule will keep you from getting the sways on the down hills or starting to bounce on a hard stop making your rear brakes useless.

I know it may sound excessive but the the draw backs of a little to much tongue weight are far easier to deal with than not enough.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: how far back

Believe the required tongue weight thing. It is great and accurate advice.

 

[murrayfish]

Re: how far back

OK, OK... I'll do 10%.

I have experience with a lite tongue on the road. I was towing a small car on a flatbed trailer one time, i hit the breaks because some dumb *** cut me off. The whole trailer started to fishtail/whip back and forth. The more break the worse it got. I was on the freeway and was able to hit the gas and pull it in line then pull over and relocate the car...

So i do know the pitfalls and will do the safe thing.


Thanks everyone!

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: how far back

OK, OK... I'll do 10%.So i do know the pitfalls and will do the safe thing.!

Good Man !!!

 

[JoLin]

Re: how far back

OK, OK... I'll do 10%.

10% is a good ballpark figure, but it's even better to read your vehicle owner's manual. In my case (small car, small boat) Mitsubishi recommends between 5 and 10%. Once I adjusted my boat to sit at the right spot on the trailer (transom about 2" aft of the last rollers), the tongue weight was right at 8% of the total.