Tounge Weight

[MercilessMike]

Have recently restored a V-20. Before this project took place used to tow boat to launch. On short trips no big deal uneder 40mph, However on Highway trailer would co the Tango. i.e. sway back and forth. Concluded low weight at hitch ball. Moved winch forward 6 inches to pull boat further up on trailer, did not change anything. Last week, lifted boat off trailer, then trailer off axles and moved them back 3 feet (axles), WOW, now have major tounge weight. I imagine boat/motor/gear coming in @ 3400lbs. Any input on what my actual tounge weight should be. ?????????????<br /><br />Thanks, MM

 

[JB]

Re: Tounge Weight

The rule of thumb is 7% to 10% of tow gross weight, Mike. That would be 250# to 350# for your package. Also note that Florida requires brakes on anything over #3000 and a tow vehicle rated for at least tow weight.<br /><br />Good luck.<br />Red sky at night. . . <br />JB

 

[kayak99]

Re: Tounge Weight

Where was the topic that explained how to measure your tongue weight? I read it once but forgot the title.<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[JB]

Re: Tounge Weight

The explanation is in the topic for new and old trailer towers. <br /><br />Up to about 300# just use your bathroom scale. To about 600# place one end of a sturdy beam on a jack stand and the other end on the scale. Place the tongue midway between them and multiply the scale reading by 2.<br /><br />Apply 2nd class lever rules from High school physics to measure smaller fractions of tongue weight with a lever and scale.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . . <br />JB

 

[MercilessMike]

Re: Tounge Weight

Thanks for the prompt reply! No problem with tow vehicle, GMC SUBURBAN. Brake smay be in future. Live on canal and ramp is .5 miles away. Will do the scale deal and adjust axles to compensate. Will have to stack up some cinder bloacks to simulate fuel & gear load. I tell ya what though, Mounting this 225 EFI is becoming more and more interesting. No manuals available, searched this weekend and I have been told are updating publication, not released yet, Heck I'll take and old one, So if any of you know who has old stock (Clymer manual prefered) let me know! EFI has many more pieces of hardware than the ole premix carb 200 Merc!<br />1997 Mariner 3.0 liter 225 EFI Offshore<br /><br />Thanks again all!