How high to tilt the outdrive when towing?

[Big_Eddy]

I have a new to me 18' bowrider with a 3.8l OMC Stringer, from 1984. It sits on the original EZ-Loader bunk trailer that it was sold with back in 1984.

I towed it for the first time today and while I didn't have any issues, it seems to be very light in the front end. I tow a lot - horses and landscaping equipment - my truck is properly set up, and I have no issues with my other trailers. However, with the boat, it seemed that it was actually trying to pull UP on the back of the truck after any significant bumps. I have not weighed it yet, but there certainly does not seem to be 10% weight on the ball.

I had the outdrive in the full up position, which would raise the center of gravity and transfer some of the weight further back. Should I be towing with the outdrive fully down, midway down, partly down or full up? Would that make enough of a distance to notice?

If outdrive position does not solve the issue - looks like I need to move the winch post further forward which does not look that hard to do after a quick glance at the trailer. Just thought I would check before I do.

Thanks
Big_Eddy

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: How high to tilt the outdrive when towing?

The outdrive position won't help. Just move the post forward if you have the room to do so, that should take care of your issue. Shouldn't take you more than a couple minutes. Make sure you torque the bolts down good but not so much as to bend the trailer tube. The outdrive should be up atleast halfway while towing so the skeg doesn't hit on anything. It is best to store the boat with the motor down though. Good luck. Budd

 

[bruceb58]

Re: How high to tilt the outdrive when towing?

Can you post a side view photo of your boat/trailer?

Definitely weigh the toungue.

 

[firepro86]

Re: How high to tilt the outdrive when towing?

Is the boat all the way up on the nose cone/bow bumper? Is it winched down tight? Sometimes after a long drive or if the bow strap gets wet then dries it'll stretch out a little and then the bow will bounce up and down and give it the feeling that the trailer is pulling the truck up. Make sure its winched down and the transom straps are tight. If the boats not on there secure it can cause some issues.

 

[wellcraft19]

Re: How high to tilt the outdrive when towing?

If you can't move the boat forward enough, you might be able to move the axle towards the rear. Must modern trailers (that are not "custom built for one specific model) allow for that. Just ensure you get the alignment right so it (trailer) "trails" correctly behind the vehicle.

 

[Big_Eddy]

Re: How high to tilt the outdrive when towing?

Can you post a side view photo of your boat/trailer?
QUOTE]

The boat was all the way up to the front, and the winch strap was tight, as were the transom straps.

Side view (from when I first dragged it home) attached. Just looking at it, it seems to me that the boat should be further forward on the trailer, but this is my first I/O boat and the trailer is set the way it originally left the factory. (Previous owner never used the trailer- boat was docked at marina and launched and retrieved by the marina staff)

View attachment 114161

 

[bruceb58]

Re: How high to tilt the outdrive when towing?

Nothing showing.

 

[Big_Eddy]

Re: How high to tilt the outdrive when towing?

I took a more detailed look at the trailer. The backs of the bunks are about 4" ahead of the stern of the boat - so moving the winch ahead will just have them extend beyond the boat. Moving the axle back is a better solution. I can move it back quite a bit without a problem.

While I was out there - I tested the tongue weight. I can lift the tongue with 2 fingers (but not with just one) and total tongue weight is 40-50 lbs while sitting in the driveway pointing very slightly up hill.

I'll be moving the axle back tomorrow.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: How high to tilt the outdrive when towing?

The backs of the bunks are about 4" ahead of the stern of the boat.

If I am picturing what you are saying, that is bad for the boat becuase the transom isn't being supported. Am I correct here? The transom has no bunk directly below it?

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: How high to tilt the outdrive when towing?

What bruce58 said. it seems like you need more tongue weight.
Moving the boat forward, may solve both problem. as said before pics would help.

 

[Big_Eddy]

Re: How high to tilt the outdrive when towing?



Sorry about the picture earlier. It did attach it but it seems to have disappeared before I finished posting.

Bruceb58 - You are correct - with the boat as it sits right now, the rear edge of the rear bunk is ~4" ahead of the rear of the boat, and not supporting the transom.

If I hear you properly, with the boat fully forward on the trailer, the rear bunk should extend PAST the back of the boat so that it fully supports the transom.

I don't think moving the boat 4-6 inches is going to be enough to get the tongue weight to where it needs to be, but I will move the winch forward first until the bunks are 1" beyond the transom and test the tongue weight, then if needed will move the axle back as well.

Thank you everybody for all your help.

Big_Eddy

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: How high to tilt the outdrive when towing?

every once in a while the horse is really thirsty ...... Yep you have it perfectly.... you can actually weigh your trailer with a bathroom scale and some lumber.... you can google it..... Or hit up a truck scale.... 10-15% tongue weight works very well

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: How high to tilt the outdrive when towing?

I would leave the axle right where it is, you don't want it back to far. I see no reason to move it. The bunks I'm assuming are wood? If so they can be cut to the length you want. Yes it is good to have them extend all the way to the back of the boat hull, but within a few inches isn't going to hurt your boat if there a little short. If you move the post forward 8 to 12 inches I think you will notice a huge improvement because it will put more weight on the tongue of the trailer. What it will also do is, move the weight of the stern/motor closer to the axle which is where you want the weight of the boat to be carried/balanced on.

When I first got my boat, I simply moved the post forward about 8 inches and it made a huge difference in how the trailer rode.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: How high to tilt the outdrive when towing?

I would start with 4" and see how the tongue weight changes and then move forward as needed.

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: How high to tilt the outdrive when towing?

You will be amazed. for every inch the boat is moved foward how the tongue weight increases. And the height relivent (sp?) to the towing VEH.
Your veh Should be level when towing.
Make sense?
still need to do the tongue weight when done.
Been doing trailer set ups for a long time, just hard to
explain.
18 to 19 inches at the ball is correct, as long as does not raise the front end of the veh.

 

[Big_Eddy]

Re: How high to tilt the outdrive when towing?

I weighed the tongue weight as it came to me and it was 43lbs at about 4" behind the ball. (Hitch stand)

I moved the hitch post forward 4" so that the back ends of the bunks lined up exactly with the back of the transom. Tongue weight increased to 86lbs.

I then moved the axle back 1" at a time weighing the hitch weight each time. At 5" back, (with the hitch post still ahead 4" from original), tongue weight was up to 180lbs.

I tightened everything up and took it for a test drive and it was a huge improvement.

Thanks to everyone for their inputs.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: How high to tilt the outdrive when towing?

I think I'd go back another 5"..... but either way congrats