increase tongue weight

[nightvision]

Hi all,<br />The last time out at the ramp my truck had a little trouble with slippage on the wet ramp. The wheel was spinning a little before grabbing on to the ramp. It got me a little worry. I'm going to add a 100 pounds to the back of my truck to see if this will help. Should I put the sandbags right above my rear tires or more towards the tail gate which will be about 2 feet from the rear tires. My truck is rear wheel drive.<br /><br />Thanks.

 

[ST]

Re: increase tongue weight

I think physically placing the weight directly above the wheels will give you the max weight againts the wheels; but since you are only talking about 2 feet difference, then I don't think it matters much at all in this case.<br /><br />By the way, you can also have someone stand at the bumper while hanging on; or to be safer, increase the tongue weight.

 

[JB]

Re: increase tongue weight

Howdy, NV.<br /><br />What truck, with what tow rating are you towing what boat that weighs how much?<br /><br />If the tow rating and trailer weight are compatible. . . <br /><br />First, confirm that your trailer is properly set up with 7-10% of total weight on the coupler.<br /><br />A better solution than adding weight to the bed is to mount a hitch coupler on the front of your truck.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: increase tongue weight

the farther back you put the weight it will increase the traction. the old fulcrum lever equation. this is why when ever i set up a trailer for a pick or suv, the tongue is long enough to open the tailgate. i've been on dirt ramps where everyone you could find sits one the tailgate.

 

[nightvision]

Re: increase tongue weight

Hi all,<br />Thanks for the response. Here is a little more info. <br /><br />Truck: Nissan Frontier, 3.3 L. V6, Rear Wheel drive, tow capacity is 5000 lbs.<br /><br />Boat: dry weight with trailer is about 2650 lbs. Add fuel and gear it will be about 2900 lbs. <br /><br />I measure the tongue weight today using a home weight scale and the tongue weight is at 220 lbs.<br /><br />To give it 10% at the tongue I'll throw on 70 lbs of sand in the back of the truck and see what happens.<br /><br />Thanks.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: increase tongue weight

Do you have the room to move the winch and bow stop forward on your trailer? A few inches will increase your tongue weight w/o having to carry a sandbag.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: increase tongue weight

Adding weight to the truck doesn't increase tongue weight at all...and yours sounds a bit light to me.<br /><br />Moving the boat forward, or the axle backward, on the trailer itself will increase the tongue weight. This is the proper way to get it done.<br /><br />There's a big difference between increasing tongue weight and just throwing traction weight into the back of the truck.<br /><br />Also, the sand will likely get you a lot more traction if you scatter some under your drive wheel rather than leave it in the back of the truck.<br /><br />To your original question, any weight you throw into the back of the truck will have maximum effect on traction if you set it as far back as possible...it's a simple lever effect that puts more weight down on the axle. For example, I'd guess that your 70 lbs sitting on the tailgate will probably add around 100 lbs of down pressure to the rear axle. Set it directly over the axle and you'll get exactly 70 lbs.

 

[Terry Olson]

Re: increase tongue weight

Not to disagree with you craze1cars, but I never know why guys think putting sand between the tires and the launch surface will add traction. You're not alone in your suggestion and I may be completely wrong, but I think back to the times I wiped out on my bike as a kid. Why did I fall? Most of the time I hit a patch of sand and the bike slid out from under me. It seems to me that the sand rolls a bit under the tire alowing it to slide out. Won't this happen if you put loose sand on the ramp? If not, why? <br /><br />Not picking a nit with you - I just don't see how this will improve traction unless you're on ice or snow. <br /><br />The suggestions about moving the bow stop forward or the axle backward to increase tongue weight will help not only on the launch but also improve the way the trailer tracks going down the road.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: increase tongue weight

I said that assuming his tires and ramp surface are wet with lake water and/or algea slime, causing the wheel spin. In that situation the sand would help...it's no different than if he was on an icy surface. But if he's actually spinning tires on dry pavement, I fully agree with you that the sand will further reduce traction. Then again if he was on dry pavement with the weight of a boat on the back, I can't imagine that V-6 truck would have enough torque to break the tires loose very easily...thus my assumption of a wet ramp.<br /><br />I don't by any means think my solution is ideal. Ideal would be 4x4, or at least limited slip rear. But that's unlikely realistic from a budget standpoint. My point mostly (which I admit I didn't clearly say) was that his suggested 70 lbs of sand in the bed isn't very much weight at all to help with this situation. Closer to 400 lbs might actually accomplish something. And moving ACTUAL tongue weight forward by moving boat and/or axle will not only add weight to the truck's wheels, but will also reduce weight from the trailer's wheels....a double benefit.

 

[Terry Olson]

Re: increase tongue weight

I get you now. I wasn't thinking about the ramp being wet - which of course they always are. <br /><br />I've had a lot of 2wd trucks and regretted not having 4wd with every one of them. Since moving to 4wd I'd never go back. They're not all that much more expensive, the extra maintenance is nominal, and the fuel economy difference is nearly nonexistent - plus the resale is better. I don't use 4wd all that much, but when you need it you need it. Probably explains why I don't have much experience in dealing with ramp traction problems. <br /><br />A buddy of mine bought a 2wd Dodge pickup at government auction some years ago. It was a real dog but it had a granny gear, which worked very well on the boat ramp. Even if a guy didn't have 4wd a low range gear like that works very well. They're hard to find anymore though.<br /><br />I see that nightvision is from Fresno, where there's probably very little need or use for 4wd. Here in MN that's not the case since I can put it to use at some point every winter, use it when on logging or minimum maintenance roads during hunting season, and use it at the boat ramp. It's easier to justify the expense here than in most places I guess.

 

[djvan]

Re: increase tongue weight

I think nightvision was going to use the 70 lb. sand as a test to see if added tongue weight would help his traction problem. That seems like a good idea to me since if it doesn't make a difference he isn't out the time and energy to move axle/winch post. <br /><br />Good luck n vision<br /><br />DougV>

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: increase tongue weight

Take an overweight friend boating with you, he can sit in the back when you are pulling-out; and the fresh air will do him good!!!