trailer tongue weight

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  • dccunn
    • Sep 2009
    • 3


    #1

    trailer tongue weight

    recently purchased a 1997 ski nautique w/o a trailer. Purchased a new custom made eagle trailer that was delivered 2 weeks ago. The tongue weight is 327 pounds after moving the boat as far back on the trailer as reasonable. The transom is at the end of the bunks. Eagle tells me the weight is fine. The boat is around 2500 and the trailer about 650. Seems way too heavy to me. I would expect 200 to 225 pounds. Does anyone have an informed opinion?
    thanks
    Tags: None
  • SkiTower
    1,000 Post Club Member
    • Nov 2007
    • 2172

    • Clayton, NC

    #2
    RE: trailer tongue weight

    I know mine is a lot heavier than 200 lbs. I can't budge it (and would if it were 200).
    2007 SV211 SE
    Tow Vehicle 2019 Tundra
    Dealer: www.Whitelake.com

    Comment

    • DanielC
      1,000 Post Club Member
      • Nov 2005
      • 2669

      • West Linn OR

      • 1997 Ski Nautique
      #3
      RE: trailer tongue weight

      If it tows fine, I would not worry about a number.

      Comment

      • AirTool
        1,000 Post Club Member
        • Sep 2007
        • 4049

        • Katy, Texas

        #4
        Re: trailer tongue weight

        Originally posted by dccunn
        Does anyone have an informed opinion?
        1. Your tongue weight should be around 10% of the total trailer weight BUT NOT MORE THAN 500 LBS W/O upgraded gear.

        2. Your trailer weighs more than 650. I guarantee it.

        3. My 206 with single axle Ramlin weighs 4450. Tongue weight is 450. I know because I weighed it.

        4. If your trailer tracks and doesn't sway, you are probably okay. If it wags the tow vehicle, YOU NEED TO MOVE THE BOAT FORWARD.

        How 'bout this...spend 20 dollars and get it all weighed at your local truck stop. Weigh the whole rig, weigh the boat only, weigh the tow vehicle only. Try to put each axle on one segment of the scale.

        Comment

        • 2gofaster
          Senior Member of PLANETNAUTIQUE
          • May 2008
          • 671

          • Stevenson Lake-Conroe, Texas

          #5
          RE: Re: trailer tongue weight

          Air Tool is dead on. A single axle eagle is around 950 lbs. I'd shoot for about a 350-400lb tongue weight, which means you'd want to move the boat forward on the bunks just a bit. Also, some trailers are set up for both 196 and the 206. Does your bow roller standoff have bolts to allow it to slide forward and back on the center member of the trailer?

          I just bought an 08 196 that pulls awesomely on it's prestige trailer. With the trailer being for a 196/206 the promo owner had it loaded really far forward. I checked and it's got 450lbs of tongue weight. I'm not moving it on the trailer because it tows so well behind my truck.
          Shane Hill
          2014 Team 200OB
          67 '13 Prophecy

          Comment

          • WakeSlayer
            1,000 Post Club Member
            • Sep 2005
            • 2069

            • Silver Creek, MN

            • 1968 Mustang
            #6
            RE: Re: trailer tongue weight

            Air tool is correct, 10% of the gross weight is the rule. Make sure you tow it level. If you aren't already, get a hitch with a drop or lift that makes this as close as possible.
            the WakeSlayer
            1999 Super Air - Python Powered <-- For Sale
            1968 Correct Craft Mustang

            Comment

            • pj
              • Oct 2003
              • 323

              • Rochester, MN

              • 1991 SN 1996 SN
              #7
              RE: Re: trailer tongue weight

              I had a '96 Ski on a single axle eagle trailer. i did not weigh it. But, i could lift the tongue by hand. I seriously doubt that was more than 200 lbs.
              Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward. For it is there you have been and there you will long to return. - Leonardo De Vinci

              Comment

              • WA-H2O-SKI
                • Jun 2009
                • 77

                • Orondo, WA

                • 2017 Ski Nautique 200 Team - Current Boat
                #8
                10% Is Dead On

                I agree with the 10% rule. Until you have towed a trailer that is LESS than the 10% you'll never know how scary that can be. I nearly lost it once when towing a flatbed trailer loaded incorrectly. You can get the serious gitters. Once I reloaded and distributed more weight up front, all was well. I used a local rest area scale that was FREE. Just a thought. But these guys are right on!
                2003 Ski Nautique 196 LE - Current Boat (Star Gazer w/ ZBox)
                GOODE Flextail 66.5 - Powershell 5 Bindings (LFF)
                PB: 2 Balls @ 39.5' OFF (34.2 MPH Zero Off) Big Dawg Broho Tournament Summer 2015

                1987 Dixie Super Skier 299 - My First Boat
                1987 Barefoot Nautique - Brother's Boat
                1985 Ski Supreme - Dad's Boat

                Comment

                • Hollywood
                  1,000 Post Club Member
                  • Sep 2003
                  • 1930

                  • WIIL

                  #9
                  RE: 10% Is Dead On

                  Go atleast 10%. The more the merrier for towing until you max out your drawbar/hitch capacity/tow vehicle suspension.

                  EX: you can go much more than 10% towing a SN with a F250.

                  Comment

                  • dccunn
                    • Sep 2009
                    • 3


                    #10
                    your responses are much appreciated

                    thanks for the responses.

                    Comment

                    • HS
                      1,000 Post Club Member
                      • Oct 2007
                      • 1333

                      • Sammamish, WA

                      • 2010 SANTE 210 (Sold)
                      #11
                      RE: your responses are much appreciated

                      I found a lot of Q and A at etrailer . com
                      2010 Super Air Nautique 210 Team Edition

                      Comment

                      • Hollywood
                        1,000 Post Club Member
                        • Sep 2003
                        • 1930

                        • WIIL

                        #12
                        Re: RE: 10% Is Dead On

                        Originally posted by Hollywood
                        Go atleast 10%. The more the merrier for towing until you max out your drawbar/hitch capacity/tow vehicle suspension.

                        EX: you can go much more than 10% towing a SN with a F250.
                        These comments were with a single axle trailer in mind, on a tandem you would want equal weigth on the axles.

                        Comment

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