Tongue Weight question?

[mimmik02420]

I'm not too familiar with towing boats (since I live on a street with a community ramp = short travel to launch) and this question has been on my mind for a while. What should the tongue weight be for my boat? It's a Sailfish 216 CC with a Yamaha F150 on the back. Trailer is a single torsion axle and the tow vehicle is a 2500HD Chevy. I dont tow but less than a mile to the dock and I tow 150 miles to the Keys 1-2 times per year. The tongue weight now is about 350-400 pounds (I know because I have to lift it since my trailer jack is broken). That weight seems a little excessive to me. I've towed many fifth wheels and bumper pull trailers and I believe the bumper pull tongue weight is supposed to be %10 of total trailer weight. That would make my tongue weight close to correct in travel trailer standards. Opinions?

[Bond-o]

I believe the bumper pull tongue weight is supposed to be %10 of total trailer weight.

Ayuh,.... 10% to 15% is Correct....

[jusfloatin]

I'm not too familiar with towing boats (since I live on a street with a community ramp = short travel to launch) and this question has been on my mind for a while. What should the tongue weight be for my boat? It's a Sailfish 216 CC with a Yamaha F150 on the back. Trailer is a single torsion axle and the tow vehicle is a 2500HD Chevy. I dont tow but less than a mile to the dock and I tow 150 miles to the Keys 1-2 times per year. The tongue weight now is about 350-400 pounds (I know because I have to lift it since my trailer jack is broken). That weight seems a little excessive to me. I've towed many fifth wheels and bumper pull trailers and I believe the bumper pull tongue weight is supposed to be %10 of total trailer weight. That would make my tongue weight close to correct in travel trailer standards. Opinions?

Anything in the range of 7% to 15% of GVW is concidered safe.

[kenmyfam]

10% for a "ball park" and adjust a few % either way to get best performance if necessary.

[mike343]

Every BOAT trailer manufacturer says 5-10%.

[Fed]

I think in real life 5% is a better number.
Still trying to figure out how the OP lifts 350-400 pounds single handed, wouldn't want to meet him in a dark alley.

[cribber]

Like Bondo said "10-15%" and the sweet spot is right around 12% of total loaded trailer weight.

[mimmik02420]

I think in real life 5% is a better number.
Still trying to figure out how the OP lifts 350-400 pounds single handed, wouldn't want to meet him in a dark alley.

It's hard to do without loosing my nootz. The swivel jacks have broken within a few months of use and the non-swivel type can't take the driveway angle. I'm still young and dumb but I doubt my body will allow lifting heavy stuff forever. For now it's ok. Used to get the car jack out but you gotta get the wood because she's in mulch, get the jack, crank....or I can do the straddle lift to a wood block and get it over with.

[Bond-o]

The swivel jacks have broken within a few months of use and the non-swivel type can't take the driveway angle.

Ayuh,... A swivel jack is 50 bucks,...

Ruinin' your Back lasts a Lifetime...

Fix it man.....

And load to 10%/ 15% tongue wt... Much less, the tail wags the dog....

[smokingcrater]

all trailers/loads are different, some are perfectly happy at 5%, some need over 10% to keep them behind the vehicle. (keep in mind the tow vehicle has almost NOTHING to do with how much tongue weight is needed. A 2000 pound trailer can toss a 3/4 ton truck off the road, i've personally seen it happen.