How should I measure tongue weight

[rpddoc]

What is the best way I can measure tongue wt. I understand that boat must be loaded. I've heard of poeple using bathroom scales and some going to a commercial scale. What method do ya'll recommend? Just bought a new truck. It comes with a class II rated bumper with a 200 lb tongue rating. I don't like that idea. I'm used to using a tow hitch. Will be a couple of months before I can get the hitch and I want to fish now. Truck is a 2004 Ford Ranger Edge and auto trans. GCWR is 6000 lbs. Max loaded trailor is 2360 lbs. Boat is a a 15'6" Alumaweld bass boat with a 60hp Johnson and galvanized breakdown trailor. Any suggestions are highly appreciated.<br /><br />TakeEm

 

[Kenneth Brown]

Re: How should I measure tongue weight

You would actually use both. Put the wheel or skid of the tongue jack on the bathroon scale to give you your tongue weight. Then go to a feed store, scrap yard or something similar and weigh the boat and truck together. Pull off and disconnect the boat and weight just the truck. Your tongue weight should be 10% of total weight. DON'T assume that the weights listed on title, registration, owners guide, etc are correct, actually weigh it.

 

[Realgun]

Re: How should I measure tongue weight

You really dont need the extra weight of a hitch on the ranger. Even though the Label say 200 Lbs you will see that the actual hitch area is very strong and is bolted to the frame. I pull a 17 foot Bayliner with my Ford Ranger supercab.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: How should I measure tongue weight

Realgun, its not just a question of the strength of the hitch. The 10% rule (approx) is important for stability when towing, ie: swaying and braking.<br /><br />The process that kenneth brown describes is very important.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[Realgun]

Re: How should I measure tongue weight

3.0L SEFI V6 3.73 6000 2620 2540 - - 2440 - <br /> 3.73/4.10(3) 6000 2480 - - - 2,360(4) - <br /> 4.1 6000 - - 2300 - - - <br />4.0L SOHC SEFI V6 3.55 9500 - 5,980(2) - - 5860 - <br /> 3.55(3) 9500 - - - - 5740 <br /><br />The (3) indicates a Ranger Edge his truck<br /><br />CLASS II - MEDIUM-DUTY <br />2,001-3,500-lb. gross trailer weight<br />Single-axle, small- to medium-length (up to 18 ft.) trailers<br />Ford trucks can be equipped to tow these trailers<br />Weight-distributing hitch not required unless specified for a particular vehicle.<br /><br />Taken from the Ford site. The Ranger as equipt from the factory will pull his boat with out the added expense of a hitch. <br /><br />So get off the high horse. If Take Em wants to buy a hitch more power too him but not necessary.<br /><br />BTW the hitch weight on a boat trailer is 8-10% and a camper is 10-15%.<br /><br />Enjoy your new Ranger I love mine.

 

[rpddoc]

Re: How should I measure tongue weight

Kenneth, Dunaruna and Realgun: Thanks for the replies. I put a ball on the bumper yesterday. My Ranger towed the boat fine. Only problem is, the bumper sits to high to safely pull my boat or any trailor for that matter. The trailor tongue sits so high, I'm afraid if I hit the brakes hard, I'm going to lose whatever it is that I'm pulling. It looked like my boat was going to take flight. That can't be too safe. I'll be getting a hitch in the next month or so to drop it down and level it out.<br /><br />Thanks for the help,<br /><br />TakeEm

 

[Realgun]

Re: How should I measure tongue weight

Good Thinking. For me My boat is at the same height with ball on bumber and when coupled on the thing is level. Did you like the prewire done by Ford for us trailer guys?

 

[jtexas]

Re: How should I measure tongue weight

I'm towing on the bumper of my '98 Explorer (rated for 3500 lbs) but I'm getting a hitch soon as I get around to it. Aren't those bumpers installed with bolts that are designed to break off in case of collision?<br /><br />Don't know about the ranger, but I did like the Ford pre-wire; all I needed was a $13 plug-in adapter.

 

[wajajaja]

Re: How should I measure tongue weight

i've never had a factory bumper hitch that was worth a dingdong. they twist, you wreck the license plate, of course you can't accessorize them either, bike rack,ski rack, different hights and balls. ease of removal,and they you loose a nice step up for what ever.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: How should I measure tongue weight

http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=22;t=000033#000000 In that post is a way to measure your tongue weight and some tailering tips.<br /><br />Bob