tongue weight

[captain zac]

I have a 2 axel trailer hauling a 2855 Bayliner
Boat weights about 9000lb
is there a max and min (range) tongue weight that I should try to achieve???

Harry

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: tongue weight

I think they say 10% to 15% of total weight.
Not sure but someone will tell you.

 

[JB]

Re: tongue weight

That 7% to 10% is of the total weight of the rig, Zac, so I would look for about 700 to 1000lb on the ball.

Depending on the tow vehicle you might want to use a weight equalizing hitch, too.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: tongue weight

totally agree.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: tongue weight

My bad. I read on here 10 to 15%.

 

[Hashi]

Re: tongue weight

Dang...that's a big boat...I wanna see the tow rig.

 

[JB]

Re: tongue weight

Not a bad, Spinner. Some pubs do call for 10-15%, but that is on single axle trailers.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: tongue weight

Not a bad, Spinner. Some pubs do call for 10-15%, but that is on single axle trailers.

The boat in question JB weighs in at 6400# boat, trailer and all.
I just kinda figured it was on a dual axle trailer.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: tongue weight

i really shoot for 10% and haven't gone wrong yet.

 

[Mkos1980]

Re: tongue weight

Hashi, I'l try to scan up a pic of our yearly routine of pulling my parents boat out of L Erie. Its a Searay 300 Weekender, Twin inboards on a myco triple axle trailer. We use a 06 F250 with the 5.4L Triton. Believe it or not that motor works perfect. It has a pretty hefty tounge weight. Whole rig weights in around 12,500

 

[bassman284]

Re: tongue weight

The owner's manual on my 97 Grand Cherokee states not less than 10% and not more than 15% with a max of 750 lbs. Equalizer required for more than 350 lb. and max trailer weight of 6500 on the Class IV hitch, trailer brakes over 2750.

I bet 6500 would be an adventure.

 

[DJ]

Re: tongue weight

10% is a good target. Not anymore on a boat trailer as boat trailers have long tongues.

That rig is marginal, at best. Not for me.

 

[bjcsc]

Re: tongue weight

Cap'n Zac: Make sure your hitch and drawbar are rated for the resulting tongue weight, i.e. Class V. (Although you could use Class IV with a weight dist. hitch)

Hashi, I'l try to scan up a pic of our yearly routine of pulling my parents boat out of L Erie. Its a Searay 300 Weekender, Twin inboards on a myco triple axle trailer. We use a 06 F250 with the 5.4L Triton. Believe it or not that motor works perfect. It has a pretty hefty tounge weight. Whole rig weights in around 12,500

Hopefully, you have a weight dist. Class V hitch and a CDL...

 

[DJ]

Re: tongue weight

Cap'n Zac: Make sure your hitch and drawbar are rated for the resulting tongue weight, i.e. Class V. (Although you could use Class IV with a weight dist. hitch)




Hopefully, you have a weight dist. Class V hitch and a CDL...

Weight distribution, unknown. The 250 is Class IV automatically. Standard equipment. CDL not needed for "juice brakes" over 26K up to 33K. Most states do not require CDL for "recreational vehicles". Either way-exempt.

 

[bjcsc]

Re: tongue weight

Weight distribution, unknown. The 250 is Class IV automatically. Standard equipment. CDL not needed for "juice brakes" over 26K up to 33K. Most states do not require CDL for "recreational vehicles". Either way-exempt.

While it is true that F250s come with Class IVs, it's also true that Class IV hitches are rated for 7500lbs weight carrying and 12000lbs weight distributing and in either case, less than the 12,500lbs stated. We might also mention the 11,600lb max rating for an 5.4L F250...

As far as the rules go, I advise everyone to check. The basic rules are federal, not state by state, and they have nothing to do with the brake system. States do have their own rules, but they have to be in addition to the federal minimum rules. Many states exempt RV's, but some specify them as motor homes and campers (not boats). Unless you know for sure you are exempt in the state you're driving in, you can drive a truck weighing up to 26K, but if your trailer's GVWR exceeds 10K you need a Class A CDL. SC has the following exemptions:

1. Active Duty Military . . . with military licenses operating military vehicles.
2. Firefighters . . . meeting approved training standards and operating authorized emergency vehicles.
3. Farmers . . . in certain cases.
4. Individuals ....operating motor homes or other vehicles used exclusively to transport personal possessions or family members, for nonbusiness purposes.

There are exemptions for farm vehicles (with restricted perimeters). They do not consider boat trailers as "vehicles" in #4. Does your state? Ohio, for example, exempts large boat trailers, but only to and from marinas a distance of less than 10 miles and at a speed less than 25mph.

Better be sure of the rules and your tow ratings, because if you are involved in, or worse cause, an accident, you'll find out for sure from the insurance companies...

 

[captain zac]

Re: tongue weight

Thanks for all the help
Here is what I have done

Had the trailer completely gone through by a professional
Everything was replaced
Had the old drum brakes taken off and replaced with 4 disk brakes.
Determined with all of your help that I need about 900lbs of tongue weitht
Bought a 1200lb Tongue 12000lb gross wt Distribution hitch
From what I can tell I have not over exceeded any of the manufactures specs. or any South Carolina laws
Please correct me if someone can think of something I have not addressed


I will let everyone know how it works out

Harry

 

[bjcsc]

Re: tongue weight

You've done the right thing and have safe and legal towing in your future. It's so much easier towing with the right equipment set up correctly. The only thing I'll add is when you're making your final adjustments, make sure your trailer is level and you'll be setup like a pro.

BTW, what part of SC are you in?

 

[Mkos1980]

Re: tongue weight

Cap'n Zac: Make sure your hitch and drawbar are rated for the resulting tongue weight, i.e. Class V. (Although you could use Class IV with a weight dist. hitch)




Hopefully, you have a weight dist. Class V hitch and a CDL...

Truck has a Class IV and my dad has a CDL also, but no WD. Total tow time is 7 miles home and thats it. Then 7 miles back in the spring. The Ohio Highway Patrol pulled us over one time because we didnt have a permit due to the width of the boat, but he said for the short distance just be safe and take it slow.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: tongue weight

....As far as the rules go, I advise everyone to check. The basic rules are federal, not state by state, and they have nothing to do with the brake system. States do have their own rules, but they have to be in addition to the federal minimum rules. Many states exempt RV's, but some specify them as motor homes and campers (not boats). Unless you know for sure you are exempt in the state you're driving in, you can drive a truck weighing up to 26K, but if your trailer's GVWR exceeds 10K you need a Class A CDL. SC has the following exemptions:

1. Active Duty Military . . . with military licenses operating military vehicles.
2. Firefighters . . . meeting approved training standards and operating authorized emergency vehicles.
3. Farmers . . . in certain cases.
4. Individuals ....operating motor homes or other vehicles used exclusively to transport personal possessions or family members, for nonbusiness purposes.

There are exemptions for farm vehicles (with restricted perimeters). They do not consider boat trailers as "vehicles" in #4. Does your state? Ohio, for example, exempts large boat trailers, but only to and from marinas a distance of less than 10 miles and at a speed less than 25mph.

Better be sure of the rules and your tow ratings, because if you are involved in, or worse cause, an accident, you'll find out for sure from the insurance companies...

NJ puts it this way as far as those that exempt from needing a CDL, even if the GCVWR is over 26,000lbs.: (#4 applies to boats)

1. Active Duty Military . . . with military licenses operating military vehicles.
2. Firefighters . . . meeting approved training standards and operating authorized emergency vehicles.
3. Farmers . . . in certain cases.
4. Individuals ....operating motor homes or other vehicles used exclusively to transport personal possessions or family members, for nonbusiness purposes.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: tongue weight

Couple of mistatements here about CDLs.

A CDL is required when the total rig is placarded at 26,001 pounds or more. Whether or not a person must have a CDL to drive the rig has nothing to do with what type of brakes are in the vehicle. If the rig is placarded at the specified weight or higher, but the trailer is placarded at less than 10,001 pounds, a Class B CDL is required. If the trailer is placarded at 10,001 pounds or more, a Class A is required and the rig is considered to be a tractor trailer. There are some situations where a rig at less than 26,001 requires a CDL (Class C) but, for the purposes of this discussion, the details aren't important. Notice that in all discussions of weight, I used the term "placarded." It doesn't matter what you have "on" (as in, load) the truck/trailer - if the sticker in the door, or a template on the trailer gives a weight to meet the standards, you must comply. Notice. also, that I am using the term "rig." If the truck is placarded at 19,000 pounds and the trailer at 15,000, you are now at 34,000 pounds, which is well beyond the 26,001 point, so you are in CDL territory if the rig is commercial.

The issue of brakes refers to airbrakes, for which a person's CDL will be restricted if he/she has not passed the air brake test. Other permissions in regard to a CDL are refered to as "endorsements" but have to do with hazmat, double trailers, etc. In everyday language, people tend to use the term "endorsement" in regard to the airbrake issue, but that isn't technically correct so some understanding of it is important.

If no one is paying you to drive the rig, ie: it is your personal vehicle, you can usually obtain a proper state license (Class E or F) to operate the rig legally. You also may by-pass weigh stations.

PS: Read bjcsc's post too - he is correct and I absolutely agree with his caution to read state rules.

CDLs are federally issued licenses which are administered by the driver's home state. Class D,E,F, etc. are state licenses. Individual states tend to have locally mandated rules and some of them are very obscure. For example, in the state of Louisiana, a paid driver operating a straight truck placarded at 25,500 (a common rental truck weight) would be thought to be able to drive it on a Class D license with no medical, because medicals aren't usually required for non-CDL drivers. Louisiana, however passed a law, which was tacked on to an environmental bill that was not about driving, which requires the driver to carry the medical card if the placarded weight is over 20,000 pounds.