18' Triton Trailer Setup

[BWalt302]

Hi everyone, so I have found varying articles that say tongue weight should be 6%, 7%, and 10% of total weight (boat, fuel, motor, trailer) for tongue weight.

I just got done installing a new 3500LBS axle and hubs. Tires are ST175/80D13 each side of trailer axle and tires rated around 1650lbs.

My tongue weight is right at 280 - 300LBS (used cinder blocks, level as I could, bathroom scale and a board to measure). My truck is a 2500 so it sits higher on the truck then where I took my measurement.

Boat is 18' and trailer is 18', about 4-6 inches of overhang at transom when loaded. I just recently added a new winch seat as the previous one was bent. The tongue itself appears tweaked, so I need to confirm it is the tongue and not the trailer so I can buy a new one, any thoughts on how to confirm?

Boat weight: 1696lbs (2000 triton bay flight).
Motor weight: 248lbs (1999 yamaha 90 saltwater)
Fuel tank is full (I assume 30 gallons?): 183lbs
Trailer (assumed): ~ 420lbs

I didn't add weight of T-Top, Life Vests, batteries (1 battery at the moment).

So if I go off of the 10% rule, and my weights are correct I get around 254lbs for optimal tongue weight. Should I consider sliding axle forward, or should I move boat back on trailer a few inches?

Trailer is a 5 Starr galvanized on rollers (loadrite brand?).

Trailer has been towed 3 times since I did all the work, and it pulls fine, although I am pulling behind a 2500 cummins.

Thanks!

 

[BWalt302]

Well I just added in battery (~45lbs), t-top (98lbs) and am getting closer to the 10% number, I think my dial scale read around 289lbs and my estimate using 500lbs for trailer is coming to 272.50lbs

The trailer is a 2000 model STAR, I assume 5 STARR looks like the loadrites so I don't know the actual capacity of the trailer, any ideas? The new ones with 13" tires say capacity 2,200lbs so I hope I am not overloaded. If I subtract the 500lbs from the estimated trailer weight that's around 2,270lbs

So I guess my main question now is regarding the "tweaked" tongue, and suggestions on how to tell if it is tweaked and if I can loosen some bolts or should I buy a new one (around $105 from loadrite)

 

[airshot]

Trailers can be different, in most cases, the 10% works well, usually 5-6% does not, going 15% does not hurt a thing. There are going to be some trailers that like more and some less, these are recomendations !!! Tow vehicle can make a hugh difference !! My enclosed trailer tows like a dream behind my motorhome irregardless of tongue weight....behind my Cherokee it needs close to 20% to track well..
Sounds like your pushing the load limit, my Load Rite has 13" wheels and a 2200 lb capacity rating. If you have the 5 lug wheels you can get a heavier duty tire that will help and your HD pickup helps, but wouldn't take a cross country trip with it...

 

[BWalt302]

Thanks for the feedback. Is your trailer torsion or leaf spring? I’m curious if the axle is what determines the trailer capacity? I did install a 3500lbs Rockwell axle too.

Maybe I’ll buy a new trailer next year. I’m only pulling this thing 10-15 minutes usually. Although on the trip home I had her 90mph down the interstate haha, with the old bad axle. Oops.

 

[airshot]

Thanks for the feedback. Is your trailer torsion or leaf spring? I’m curious if the axle is what determines the trailer capacity? I did install a 3500lbs Rockwell axle too.

Maybe I’ll buy a new trailer next year. I’m only pulling this thing 10-15 minutes usually. Although on the trip home I had her 90mph down the interstate haha, with the old bad axle. Oops.

Axle is pretty much the deciding factor, but wheels/ tires also come into play as well as suspension. Had a traiker built for me some years back to haul a couple ATV's. Made my own design and had a trailer builder make it for me. First thing they do is calculate the estimated weight being carried, plus weight of finnished trailer then pick out the axle !! So...yes axle is the key part.