How to adjust tongue weight?

[Paxdad]

This may be going overboard, so to speak. But that boat has a lot of weight in the rear (obviously) That trailer was not designed for that purpose, so there is more stress being applied to the frame, etc by using it. Will it work with some other suggestions? Probably. If I was just using locally (house to close ramp/gas station, occasionally - I might be inclined to 'make do', but anything more than that, I would def get the correct trailer.

Totally agree with you on that!!!

[bchesley]

Lets play devils advocate here, what would happen if you caused an accident when the tongue pops off from big bump on the highway? If a lawyer found out you were pulling a boat on a trailer that was not designed for that boat they would have a hay day with you. Unless you live across the street from the lake and never travel, getting the right trailer should be a priority. I know that is not the answer you were looking for, but the most sensible.

[ddipert]

Buy a new trailer: con it's going to be costly, but will be the correct trailer for your boat.
Make adjustment to your tailer to weight the trailer correctly: If done correctly will tow just like it should, cheaper option.

If it were mine:
I wouldn't move the axles at all (it's cost prohibited). If you could move the boat forward it would achieve the same effect.
plan on moving the bow stop and the "V" bunk. When changing the bow stop move the boat 8-12" forward and it will fit/tow like it should. The con of this, I can't tell from the pictures could be, will the trailer be past the stern of the boat? If it's even or just a few inches sticking out I wouldn't worry about it if it's 12" behind the stern that that might bother me.

No matter what it's not safe how it is now. You need to do something to give it some weight on the tongue.

[jbach]

i'd move the bow stop forward a few inches before even considering moving axles, torsion bars, fenders, etc. and to suggest throwing your tandem axle trailer away and buying a new one is ludicrous, i guess that's why they call it stupid money. moving that boat just a few inches will make a dramatic difference in the weight distribution with only minimal cutting and welding.

[99SAN]

No, I don't need the galvanized trailer and I've had this trailer on the for sale thread for a while. I've been looking for a used tandem painted but I'm not buying a new trailer. They are 5k$
If I could find a used trailer I would buy it. Found a 07 220 trailer but don't know if it will fit correctly.
My dad and I were looking at it last night and came to the conclusion of moving the boat forward until the tongue weight was right. How much should the tongue weigh? I'll extend the bunks if I need to.

[lucky7t]

My 03 bounced on highway. I moved all my junk (anchor , etc..) up front and solved

[99SAN]

Thought about adding a bow sac and leaving it full. Since the sac will not full completely how much weight will it hold under the front seats?

[ddipert]

Tongue weigh should be 10% of the load.

[rcazwillis]

Don't forget your hitch has a max rating, probably 500lbs on a class III. Don't exceed it.

Sent from my KFOT using Tapatalk

[99SAN]

Yeah, i think mine is a little more, its a f250 diesel

[2001SAN]

i'd move the bow stop forward a few inches before even considering moving axles, torsion bars, fenders, etc. and to suggest throwing your tandem axle trailer away and buying a new one is ludicrous, i guess that's why they call it stupid money. moving that boat just a few inches will make a dramatic difference in the weight distribution with only minimal cutting and welding.

Agreed, bound to be the easiest and most cost effective solution.

D.

[rbalan]

Yeah, i think mine is a little more, its a f250 diesel

It's 600 on most factory ones w/o weight distributing hitch.

[99SAN]

Well I'm either going to sale this trailer or try to move the axles. Moving the bow stop is out of the question. The hull fins will hit the trailer if I move the boat forward. Who has the best prices on trailers?

[99SAN]

Update* filled my belly sac to about 60% and the bow is not bouncing like it was. When I hit a bump the boat barely bounces. Question is. The trailer load rating is 4500 lbs and 6000 lbs gross weight. With the sac and boat it is still only about 3500lbs. I'm still looking for a trailer or if I don't find one before winter the ill modify this one. Do u guys think its safe to pull the boat like this.

[shag]

This is just my opinion. I would only pull that boat like that if it is just down the local street to the ramp. While adding weight further forward will stop the bouncing... Some. There is still an unbalance with the weight. A good bump will still make that front end bounce up even with the weight. What if you're sac starts to leak (it could happen) and the water runs to the back of the hull? Just playing devils advocate here. My .02 We know water weights roughly 8.5 pounds/gallon. Do the math with just 100 gallons and your quickly approaching an additional 1000#. Plus fuel and any other gear. I believe the dry weight of your boat is just over 3000#. So by filling only 100 gallons, add, fuel, etc - your pretty close to the weight limit. Good luck with whichever you choose