Proper tongue weight

[Jeep Man]

The snow is disappearing in the Great White North, so it's soon time to get back to my trailer/pontoon project. I have modified a rolling frame from an RV camper to transport my pontoon boat to the lake (only about a 1000 ft.) I need to move the tandem wheel set to give me tongue weight. How can I calculate where they should be set before the boat goes back to the lake? Is trial and error the only way?

 

[rjwoodrome]

Re: Proper tongue weight

Since you are only going 1000ft. there shouldnt be much of an issue as long as you can pick the tongue up without throwing out your back. serously though 10 to 15% of the overall weight on tongue the helps keep the thing from waging down the interstate if you happen to leave the yard with it...

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Proper tongue weight

Are you saying that you only have to tow the pontoon 1000 feet, total?

If that's the case, the tongue weight isn't really a critical thing. If you set the axles slightly behind the center (maybe two feet) of where the pontoon will sit, you'll have some tongue weight to work with. For that short a distance, it's not going to present a problem. The pontoon will be heavier at the rear, so locating the axles to the rear of center will give you enough weight to hold the hitch together.

If you're going to tow it on the road very far, that's another matter, and you'll need to get a better approximation.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Proper tongue weight

Another way to figure it out would be to jack up the front of the 'toon, enough to let you put a balancing beam under it. That would let you experiment with positioning to get a more precise location...always remembering that the trailer itself weighs something, too.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Proper tongue weight

True, it won't have to travel far, for the most part, but should I wish to take it to another lake or home for next winter, I need it to handle properly. If I have to move the wheels, I only want to do it once. Presently I have negative tongue weight, which has to be fixed.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Proper tongue weight

Presently I have negative tongue weight, which has to be fixed.

Ayuh,... You have the Toon on it Now,..??

Use Jacks/ Blocking to find the Right Point,....

A bathroom scale will give you 250/300lbs measuring ability...

 

[The_Kid]

Re: Proper tongue weight

Most trailers (non boat) are based on a 60/40 or 65/35 setup. Boat trailers need a higher ratio do to more weight at the stern. A 75/25 may work for you or you may have to go to 80/20.

Measure the total trailer length, divide by 4, measure that distance from the rear of the trailer, and center the tandem axles there.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Proper tongue weight

Thanks guys. That's the info I needed.