Suggestions on proper Trailer Set up

[timfives]

All-

So after my refit of my 191v Starcraft, i towed it several hundred miles to lake Ontario. I noticed that it had a fair amount of sway or whip behind the truck over 60 mph. Now when i towed it the several hundred miles from MI to PA before the refit it towed like a dream.

Several factors have contributed to this. Such as the removal of water soaked foam, the addition of a 4 stroke kicker (100+ lbs) etc.

So after some research and figuring that the rig now weighs approx 3325lbs (given a comparison to Startcraft 191v), and figuring that the tongue weight should be 10% of the total weight, that would mean the tongue weight should be about 330 lbs.

So i walked out this afternoon to test the hypothesis that i don't have enough tongue weight, i attempted to lift the boat. And what do you know i was able to raise it handily. Yikes i'm thinking not enough weight on the tongue has lead to poor handling, and now to fix it. My only option is to move the rear axle back. But I don't want to just wing it, I figure i'll want to get about 7 to 10% of the weight on the tongue. But was wondering if there was any magical equations for figuring it out, and or how to weigh that much weight here at home without taking it to a weigh station..

Any thoughts and or insight would be greatly appreciated.

Tim

 

[Bondo]

Re: Suggestions on proper Trailer Set up

I figure i'll want to get about 7 to 10% of the weight on the tongue.

Ayuh,... In my personal experince,...

10% to 15% makes 'em handle Way better than less than 10%...

I'd slide the axles back 6" or whatever the next locking point is, 'n Try it...

 

[timfives]

Re: Suggestions on proper Trailer Set up

Thanks! i'll shoot towards the 15% then!

T

Ayuh,... In my personal experince,...

10% to 15% makes 'em handle Way better than less than 10%...

I'd slide the axles back 6" or whatever the next locking point is, 'n Try it...

 

[gozierdt]

Re: Suggestions on proper Trailer Set up

Bond-o's suggestion is the easiest way. Get out your bathroom scale to measure the tongue weight before you bolt everything back up. Here's a way to use the scale that won't break it.

http://www.hitchingup.com/tongue-weight.htm

 

[timfives]

Re: Suggestions on proper Trailer Set up

Awesome!! that is exactly what i was looking for. Hopefully i can get this done this weekend. Assuming mother nature doesn't dump any more snow...

I appreciate the link!!

Tim

Bond-o's suggestion is the easiest way. Get out your bathroom scale to measure the tongue weight before you bolt everything back up. Here's a way to use the scale that won't break it.

http://www.hitchingup.com/tongue-weight.htm

 

[Fed]

Re: Suggestions on proper Trailer Set up

Given that you know the total weight you should be able to take a guess at the running gear (wheels, springs, axles etc) and work this formula out backwards to get a pretty good idea on how much to move it.

You can weigh the boat with a regular household scale using simple math and physics.

1. First put the scale under the tongue with the boat pulled all the way up on the trailer. For me the scale read 150lbs so W1=150

2. scoot the boat back on the trailer EXACTLY 10" so 10=X

3. reweight the tongue. For me it was 100lbs so W2=100

4. measure the distance in inches from the axle to the tip of the tongue. For me it was 180". so 180=C

5. Plug all 4 of your numbers into the equation. C(W1-W2)/X


Mine looked like this... 180(150-100)/10

6. do the equation
a. first you subtract 100 from 150 which = 50
b. then you multiply 50 by 180 which= 9000
c. finally you divide 9000 by 10 which = 900

So my boat weighs 900 lbs. It will only take you about 5-10 minutes to do.

I can't take credit for it and if I knew where I found it I would give the author a plug.