Adding second axle to boat trailer...weight?

[Dryrot]

My new trailer came with a 3500# axle and my boat weighs 33oo# dry. I am going to install a second 3500# axle. Where do I position the axles to maintain my proper tongue weight?

 

[djvan]

Re: Adding second axle to boat trailer...weight?

My best guess would be to locate the tandem assembly so that the rocker between the 2 axles is the centerline where your one axle is currently. This I am pretty sure will get you headed in the right direction. Probably will need to fine tune for correct % tongue weight.<br /><br />HTH's<br /><br />DougV>

 

[rwidman]

Re: Adding second axle to boat trailer...weight?

Is there a reason you didn't get the correct trailer or can't take it back? The boat is going to weigh a lot more once it's filled with gas and anything else you might carry such as food, drinks, anchor, etc.<br /><br />You need to consider the capacity of the frame and coupler as well as the axle(s).<br /><br />If you continue with your modification you should load the boat as you normally would and take it to a scale to get the entire rig weighed. Then find the tongue weight and move your axles back or forward until your tongue weight is between 5% and 7% of the total (loaded) trailer wight.

 

[Dryrot]

Re: Adding second axle to boat trailer...weight?

This was a custom made trailer for my sailboat that I built. The design plans stated the ballasted hull(20 ft.) should weigh 1800#s. The trailer manufacturer stated his trailer would weigh about 700#s. They were both wrong. When I took the rig to the weigh scale it came in at 3300# without most of the gear. I had to put the gear in the box of the truck that I would normally put in the boat. I am thinking that the new total weight will be around 4000#. I also have torsion axles on the trailer.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Adding second axle to boat trailer...weight?

When I took the rig to the weigh scale it came in at 3300# without most of the gear.

How Much was on the Axle ????<br />How Much was on the Tongue ????<br /><br />Mount Both Axles to a Sub-Frame,<br />Then the Sub-Frame to the Trailer.......<br />That way, You've got Adjustability..............

 

[rwidman]

Re: Adding second axle to boat trailer...weight?

Originally posted by Bondo:<br />

<br />Mount Both Axles to a Sub-Frame,<br />Then the Sub-Frame to the Trailer.......<br />That way, You've got Adjustability..............

More trouble and will raise the trailer (and boat) significantly. Torsion axles are bolted to the trailer anyway so adjusting is pretty simple. Also, it only has to be done once.<br /><br />Since the actual weight is so much more than planned, how about the frame and coupler? Will they handle the weight? Also, if you didn't install brakes originally you may need them now with a heavier load. Check your local requirements.

 

[tommays]

Re: Adding second axle to boat trailer...weight?

Dryrot<br /><br /> Axle 3500<br /> Tongue 500<br /> total 4000<br /><br />my J-24 (24ft sailboat)2700# with no gear used a single axle trailer made by Triad trailers in conn never a problem travled to a lot of races<br /><br />most 20 ft i/o boats weight around that also and use single axle trailers my current 20ft power boat weights 2800# empty again no problems with a single axle the NYS reg says 3850#<br /><br />i am wondering how its possable for a 20 ft sailboat to be that heavy ? if your trailer weight is 700# that puts the boat at about 2600# 800 extra # is most likely past its intended max load and 700# of gear is going to put it way past what the designer had in mind<br /><br /> the boat cant be floating anywere near its correct marks if its that heavy??<br /><br />tommays