Tongue weight, single axle vs tandem

[gt]

Have always had smaller (16' and smaller) boats. 10% +/- tongue weight always worked fine.

Going to a 20' with tandem trailer, total weight for boat/motor/trailer/gear, 3700-4000lbs.

Do you still figure around 10% tongue weight with tandem axles (400lbs sounds heavy)? Are tandems any more/less sensitive to tongue weight? I assume they are more sensitive to tongue height.

Thanks,
Gary

[BaileysBoat]

Make sure the trailer is level when hooked up, use the correct drop on the draw bar.

9-15%. Get the rig weighed if you can.

http://www.sherline.com/lmbook.htm#refrn9

[arks]

Do you still figure around 10% tongue weight with tandem axles (400lbs sounds heavy)?

Yes - 10 to 15%

Are tandems any more/less sensitive to tongue weight?

Not from my experience. Tandems usually haul a bigger load so it might SEEM a bit more sensitive at first.

I assume they are more sensitive to tongue height.

I guess. But any trailer should be towed level.
It's particularly important if the trailer has brakes on both axles. The trailer needs to be level for them to work most efficiently.

[kenmyfam]

10 to 15% as said. Reference only so fine tune it on the first few trips

[dingbat]

Having had both types of trailers I can say with some confidence that a tandem is much less sensitive to tongue weight than a single axle trailer.

Tongue weight on a tandem typically runs a lot lighter than a single. If I remember correctly mine is running between 7-8%. Still pushing the trucks max. tongue weight of #500 pretty hard.

[180Fisherman]

Enough weight to drop the rear of your tow vehicle at least 1" but no more than 3". 2" is a happy medium.

[gt]

Thank you gentlemen. Now, when the new boat comes in, we'll see how the dealer sets it up...

Gary