no tongue weight

[bob_1027]

I have a 16' aluminum boat on a trailer designed to hold the boat by the keel and supported by two sets of roller bunks. The picutre is before i moved the boat forward and hung my motor on it. The boat has been moved forward to the point that it is past the end of the trailer. I dont really want to move the axle back the next point with bolt holes is close to a foot and i would rather keep the bunks close to the middle of the boat.

My question is, can i just add weight to the tongue, ie. weld steel just behind the coupler? or would the boat still be weighted to the rear and trying to come off the trailer all the time. Is there a way i can get the appropiate tongue weight without having to move the axle?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: no tongue weight

Well you could probably add weight....but looking at the pic you can tell that axle is just too far forward.

 

[Snowfish]

Re: no tongue weight

A foot further back is not too far. I'd go two feet, or more back if you can. Hang a motor on there now and you'd have to add a lot of weight to the tongue. why don't you want to move the axle back? They tow nicer and back up much easier. Look how far back mine are. (avitar) Not talking apples to apples here, but I still have less than 100lbs tongue weight.

 

[vegasphotoman]

Re: no tongue weight

I agree...move the axle back alot...looks like it already has holes for the brackets to move it back easy...shouldnt take but 1/2 a saturday at best...get a pal and have some fun doing it.........and atleast 2 feet I also agree....adding the motor will really weigh the transom down.

the trailer looks slightly too long for that boat....guess thats ok
so you have to move the wheels back ...adding weight is not a good way to do it.......

or reverse the bunks and BACK your boat in, so the engine is near the tingue LOL just kidding!!!!!!

looks like the trailer needs a winch or atleast safety chains on the front .....................anyways.....COOL BOAT!

 

[bob_1027]

Re: no tongue weight

thanks for the replies. This pic is from when i was still painting it. I have a winch and safety chains for it and there is a motor on now and thats how i have no weight on the tongue. I can move the axle pretty easy. it is only 3 bolts. However does the location of the bunks matter? would it be preferable to keep them in the middle of the boat or is the back end of it ok/maybe even better? The PO added close to 3 feet to the tongue for some reason. thats why it looks a little long.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: no tongue weight

I would move the bunks back. The majority of the weight will be back there.

The longer tongue will only make launching and retrieving easier.

 

[NYBo]

Re: no tongue weight

Agreed. The bunks should support the transom.

 

[vegasphotoman]

Re: no tongue weight

or you could ADD 2 more bunks back at the transom....2x4 pressure treated and some brackets from Iboats will do ya..and some bunk carpet etc use good bolts stainless or atleast galvanized

they should extend a bit past the rear of the trailer to support all that weight......

 

[reelfishin]

Re: no tongue weight

Here's a pic that might help:
http://i34.tinypic.com/2q1vqf4.jpg
This is a 16' on a similar trailer minus your guide on poles.
The transom is supported and the keel rests on three rollers down the center.

That trailer also looks like it sits pretty high?

 

[bob_1027]

Re: no tongue weight

Well so i moved my axle back to the farthest back set of holes. Tongue weight is better went from 0lbs to probably 60ish. i think if i put my battery up front and the rest of my gear i may be good. I had to cut 2 bars that kept the back beam from twisting, think the PO put them on so they might not be needed but i will probably reinstall them so that they fit. There are three rollers under the transom and then the 2 roller bunks. that should be enough support right?

P.S. Thanks for the all the advice.

 

[Fisherball]

Re: no tongue weight

That's all my last trailer had & no problems. Make sure the bunks are under the transom or the hull will be supporting the weight of the motor & absorbing all the bumps & jars from the road.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: no tongue weight

good moving the axle back- the original trl on my 1957 LoneStar was tail heavy and would fish tail going 70mph- I bought a used pontoon boat trl and modified it.
sweet looking rig BTW!

 

[vegasphotoman]

Re: no tongue weight

Agreed move bunks to make sure they go out past the transom to support the boat from hull to transom and not just the boat hull (might bend it in a bit of you hit big bump in road)


I must say those tires look like the are 8" or something off a fridge dolly....wonder how they will be on the highway...yikes!!!!!!!

I would opt for bigger tires/rims myself.....
thats just me tho!

good job on the quick axle move! Rock ON!