Tongue Weight

[rwidman]

Re: Tongue Weight

Ummm, the axles would get moved back for more tongue weight.

That is correct. Move the axles towards the rear of the trailer to increase the tongue weight. I would move them six inches or less and then weigh the tongue again.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Tongue Weight

So the tongue is maybe 100 pounds. Does anyone see a problem with moving the winch post up on the trailer another 5 or 6 inches?

The center photo shows that the boat is positioned perfectly on the trailer. The end of the bunk is directly supporting the transom. Move the axles toward the rear of the trailer to adjust the tongue weight.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Tongue Weight

Agree,Move the axles it will make a huge difference.
I had to move mine because of the same problem.It tows perfect at highway speeds now and is much smoother.
Just cut the 4 U-bolts off and get new ones.It took all of 30 minutes to move mine.

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Tongue Weight

stand corrected axles moved rearward. sorry

 

[geoffwga1]

Re: Tongue Weight

Having a close look at where the boat is sitting on the bunks I wouldn't move the boat at all, it looks too happy right where it is.
Get it hooked to your vehicle on level ground, stand back and have a look at your towball height compared to the trailer.
Remember with slipper springs as the trailer tilts forward the front axle takes more weight which moves the balance point.
Not the case if you have rocker/equalizer spring setup.
You make have to raise your towball height, failing that I'd be moving the axle back.

Changing the tow ball hight is not going to change the tongue weight.Looking at your trailer it would seem you have plenty of adjustment to move your baulks forward.I would try moving them forward a couple of holes then check the weight.I would go for a minimum of 25% for a safe and yaw free tow.
Geoff69.
Belay that 25% ,Thats's for my rig that only goes 1000lbs
obviously if you are towing something thats 6 0r 8 thousand lbs you dont want 2ooo on your tongue.Then you would go with the formula quoted elsewhere here.

 

[DC20]

Re: Tongue Weight

Well, I moved the winch post up several inches just to get the transom completely on the bunks. I will move the axles in the fall when there is less ramp activity. Thanks for all the input.

 

[marlboro180]

Re: Tongue Weight

Changing the tow ball hight is not going to change the tongue weight.Looking at your trailer it would seem you have plenty of adjustment to move your baulks forward.I would try moving them forward a couple of holes then check the weight.I would go for a minimum of 25% for a safe and yaw free tow.
Geoff69.
Belay that 25% ,Thats's for my rig that only goes 1000lbs
obviously if you are towing something thats 6 0r 8 thousand lbs you dont want 2ooo on your tongue.Then you would go with the formula quoted elsewhere here.

WTF>>>>//////?????

25 percent is not necessary......too much;;;;;15 percent tops......

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: Tongue Weight

Lots of good info on this thread..

 

[rwidman]

Re: Tongue Weight

Lots of good info on this thread..

And wrong info.

Trailer manufacturers recommend 8% -10% of the total weight on the tongue of the towing vehicle for single axle trailers and 5% -7% for dual axle trailers. Go to the websites and look it up.

25% of my Glastron on a trailer would have been more than 1800 lb on the hitch. The bumper would have been on the ground !

Like I said, look it up. Get it from the people who design and build these trailers.

BTW: A multi axle trailer with torsion axles must be towed with the trailer level to the ground. You may need a ball mount with a rise or drop to accomplish this.

 

[gozierdt]

Re: Tongue Weight

I agree with rwidman- follow the manufacturer's directions. My boat/trailer is only about 3500 lbs, but I also tow a 7500 lb Travel Trailer a couple of thousand miles a year. To do that I use a Class 4 weight-equalizing hitch with 2 5/16" ball, 1" shank. The trailer had electric drum brakes on it when I got it. Heavy braking on long downhill descents (Oregon/California border on Hwy 5) were pretty hairy. I installed hydraulic/electric disk brakes and the rig feels much more comfortable during the descents. To pull this I have a Chevy 2500HD. I feel my family is comfortable and safe with this rig.

Keeping the trailer level is also really good advice for best braking, so the trailer doesn't unload the front or rear wheels of the Tow Vehicle during heavy braking.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Tongue Weight

25% tongue weight?

Man, that is way extreme...way to much, that ranks right up there with picking up a trailer by hand, that has a 400 pound tongue weight,,, ain't going to happen...

There is good information as well as some mis-information in this thread!