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Are there any limitations in using a weight distributing hitch with a swing tongue in respect to the capacity of the swing joint? Should the chains be mount fore of aft of the joint?
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I have a Ramlin tandem and when I called Ramlin early this year, they recommenced not using a WDH with a swing away tongue. They stated it puts too much stress on the hinge area. I currently don't have one, but believe that one can be used, but it should be the type with slide bars so that the surge brakes can still operate. I believe it was 'equalizer' that makes one like that. -
A traditional wdh can work fine with surge brakes if set up with the chains aligned correctly to allow movement of the surge coupler. Pretty much all trailer manufacturers will tell you not to use a wdh with a swing tongue though.
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Or go with a triple axle trailer and never have to use a WDH again! Triple axle trailers have center of mass between the axles and have significant lower tongue weight of 150-300 lbs.
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Tom_H you are correct. My only other comment is that I talked to a Boatmate engineer who confirmed swing away tongue is no longer a weak point and does not impact WDH. My torsion bars will slide in the pole tongue adapter and allow brake actuator to engage fine. I have done a ton of research on this. Take it or leave it. I have a 2018 G23 with triple axle boatmate and 18” rims. Tongue weight varies between 600-800# with trailer exactly level to 2” higher. Lowest weight I could get was pretty much exactly level. I have a 2019 Ford Expedition Platinum with tow package and 3.73 gear ratio. Can pull 9200#. I am pushing the GCVW with the boat, 5 kids and me and wife. For longer trips I will use my new WDH. That should keep me safe but it’s close. Will tow with gas tank near empty on longer trips.
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greggmck how is your tongue weight so low? Your boat must be positioned further back on trailer than mine. I agree that 3 axles is an awesome feeling of relief. Do you have a boatmate?
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I use to have a triple axle Boatmate. This year I opted for no trailer because I just don't need it anymore. I keep my boat on a covered lift all year and do my own oil/filter changes. Dealer helps me out when it does need to move for service.Originally posted by sixcampbells View Post
I have the weight safe hitch and used to always check my tongue weight. It varies between 150 to 500lbs depending upon my fuel and lead I would place in the bow. Weight in the rear would not effect tongue weight because it was over the axles. Here is a pic of my max tongue weight with full fuel and 250lbs of lead in the bow.
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sixcampbells, which WDH do you have? I'm pulling a 2019 SAN 230 on a Boatmate 230 trailer. It's got the swing tongue. Was considering the Equal-i-zer https://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Dist...EQ37100ET.html but I'm not sure if it will attach properly to this trailer because of the swing tongue. Waiting to hear back from Boatmate.Comment
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EQ95-01-5950 Pole-Tongue Adapter for Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution Systems - 14,000 lbs GTW, 1,400 lbs TW
1 $96.80 EQ37120ET Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System w/ 4-Point Sway Control - 12,000 lbs GTW, 1,200 lbs TW
1 $677.95 Shipping: Free Shipping 154.46 less Discount ($154.46):
Sales Tax: Total:$0.00
$66.63 $841.38Comment
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This is the set up I went with. I have it all installed and have taken a short trip but still can't confirm brake actuator is engaging on the boat trailer. I think it is. It will take some more testing. The load bars just sit on top of the bracket on the pole tongue adapter so it appears they can slide but there is a lot of downward force on the bracket that those load bars sit on (because of the weight they are loaded with to offset weight on the hitch). As I learn more I will report back. Per boatmate I do not need to worry about stress on the swing tongue joint. They have beefed this up and it's no longer a concern when considering the PROS and CONS and using WDH on their trailers.
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I just bought a 1600 PSI Daystar electric over hydraulic disc brake conversion kit. The more research I do the more convinced I am thT that is the ultimate set up for safety and WDH. I keep my weights in spec and ensure my tow vehicle brake pedal and brake controller engage my stock hydraulic disc brakes.
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Best of both worlds. Jeff seems to think this is the only way to go and I am convinced. Let you know how it all works out. Kit was $900.00 all in. Can install it myself. Boatmate uses the Titan set up in case you order your trailer from the factory with the electric over hydraulic option.
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New electric over hydraulic disc brakes installed. After bleeding the brakes I took it out for a drive this afternoon - really impressed with how it works. Brakes work great - no lag, nomore "chunk" noise and impact of the surge brake actuator kicking in. I removed all the old surge actuator components and re-drilled and bolted in the original tongue. All in all not that big of a job. Well worth it!
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sixcampbellsOriginally posted by sixcampbells View PostEQ95-01-5950 Pole-Tongue Adapter for Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution Systems - 14,000 lbs GTW, 1,400 lbs TW
1 $96.80 EQ37120ET Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System w/ 4-Point Sway Control - 12,000 lbs GTW, 1,200 lbs TW
1 $677.95 Shipping: Free Shipping 154.46 less Discount ($154.46):
Sales Tax: Total:$0.00
$66.63 $841.38
Reviving an old thread
How do you come up with the choice of a 12,000 WDH vs a 10,000 WDH for your setup? I play with the hitch calculator on the equalizer web site and I need to push to 8000 trailer, 800 tongue weight and 500 cargo weight to go from 10,000 to 12,000.
I am interested to know more about your setup and feedback from your experience as I might need to have the same setup but with a G21.
Thanks
BillComment
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