Getting trailer to ride level

[agallant80]

Re: Getting trailer to ride level

can you post a better/ bigger pic of boat on trailer @ the stern? it looks like you could move the boat back a few inches, which would make a world of difference.

I don;'t have one but the transom overhangs the bunks about 3/4 of an inch right now. If anything I need to move the boat forward more so the transom is fully supported and not overhanging the bunks.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Getting trailer to ride level

The washers act as a shim to angle the receiver to set the tension on the bars.

I agree. I was talking about the receiver side...on the truck. Most are parallel with the ground but a few have an angle to them so they aren't parallel.

I think we are on the same page. If you need a little more tension, add another washer.

 

[jbetzelb]

Re: Getting trailer to ride level

WOW......


Leveling the trailer and tongue weight are TOTALLY unrelated... you level the trailer by changing the height of the hitch ball with different inserts or different adjustment on an adjustable.... You most certainly do not change tongue weight to level trailer...


There is a relationship to tongue weight and the level of a trailer. Tongue weight squats the vehicle which lowers the front of the trailer. I only questioned the amount of tongue weight becasue that is a 3/4 ton Ford Excursion that is squatted 4 inches from its normal ride height. If his 8000/9000 pound boat is using the 10% rule he should have 800/900 pounds on the drawbar. I think the tongue weight might be closer to 1100 or 1200 pounds to squat it that much. If the tongue weight is over 800 to 900 pounds that would be a good place to start.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Getting trailer to ride level

If his 8000/9000 pound boat is using the 10% rule he should have 800/900 pounds on the drawbar. I think the tongue weight might be closer to 1100 or 1200 pounds to squat it that much. If the tongue weight is over 800 to 900 pounds that would be a good place to start.

Even the 10% rule is debatable. For a heavy tandem axle setup, you really don't need 10%. You won't find a manufacturer that has 10% as a minimum for that setup, and in some cases, that is actually at the very top end of the range.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Getting trailer to ride level

Even the 10% rule is debatable. For a heavy tandem axle setup, you really don't need 10%. You won't find a manufacturer that has 10% as a minimum for that setup, and in some cases, that is actually at the very top end of the range.

x2. I've had many car trailers and heavy tandem trailers. I've never run anything approaching 10% tongue weight and had no handling issues.

 

[redneck joe]

Re: Getting trailer to ride level

ok now I'm worried.

I've hauled boats for about 30 years and never got in this much detail - just made sure there was some good weight on the ball but not enough to squat the vehicle. Now I spent a good part of the day looking at my trucks tow rating, WD hitches (never even knew they existed until today). My truck squats about an inch, I can't pick up the tongue of the trailer so thinking about 4-600 lbs on a 4800 lb boat/1300 lb trailer (3500 axles) and I drive 65-75 mph on the highways and maybe get a little wobble following a semi.


am I gonna die or not?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Getting trailer to ride level

am I gonna die or not?

Yes!

 

[agallant80]

Re: Getting trailer to ride level

Just trying to be a good boy. Ford says 10% tung weight (up to 1,000lbs) and WD hitch for pulling over 5,000lbs. I'm going to get it working like that before I play with anything else. When it's all done ill do a write up with what I have discovered. I will say that at this point even with things not being 100% properly setup now the hitch has made a world of difference.

 

[redneck joe]

Re: Getting trailer to ride level

Yes!

well crap....