Ideal tongue weight?

Drcoffee

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 26, 2021
Messages
220
I moved the boat forward 2” last weekend and that is as far as I could go for that very reason. The transom overhangs the rear most trailer bracket by 4”. Any further and the it would no longer be supported. Thats the best I can without buying a new trailer.
 

JASinIL2006

Vice Admiral
Joined
Feb 10, 2012
Messages
5,673
I belong to an active F150 forum where towing is a hot topic. The consensus seems to be that while it's not a problem for boat trailers to have a tongue weight of 10-15% (the commonly cited figure, esp. for travel trailers), it's generally OK for boat trailers to have less tongue weight, in the 6-8% range. This is due to the fact that boats have less frontal and side areas that are susceptible to wind, and the shape of the boat makes it more aerodynamic, which helps it track more stably. If your boat trailer isn't squirrelly at highway speeds and tracks well behind your tow vehicle even in windy conditions, I would think you're OK.

Nothing wrong with shooting for 10-15%, of course, but if the trailer's pulling fine at 8-9%, I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.
 

Drcoffee

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 26, 2021
Messages
220
Here are a few pics of its new position. the PO had installed the depth gauge below the hull and the bunk was pushing it up. I cut off a small piece so it didnt destroy the device the next time I load it. Previously I was at 5%. I will need to go back to the CAT scale and recheck it.
 

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Lou C

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 10, 2002
Messages
12,654
If you’re at 8/9 % I think you’re fine. Good work!
 
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