Too Much Tongue Weight

[mattb4rd]

I just bought a new boat and have taken it out a few times. It trailers fine, but I noticed my truck's bumper bent down slightly so I unhooked the trailer and realized that there is WAY too much tongue weight.

Here's a photo of the boat and trailer:

http://www.mattb4rd.com/photos/HSFNS170.JPG

I've attempted to reduce the tongue weight by shortening the transom saver a few notches, but it's not enough. I can't even lift it (I'm reasonably strong).

If I move the winch assembly back some, the transom saver may not be able to lock onto the rear roller.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

MB - Hilliard FL.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Too Much Tongue Weight

hey Matt, i've a westside redneck. 1st you are flirting with major trouble use the the bumper hitch with that size boat. Ford put them there but they are not really functional. get a frame mounted reciever hitch. about the only way you can reduce the tongue weight is to make an extension for the transom saver, and move the boat back, you also may have to redo the bunks, because the need to extended beyond the transom about 2 inches.
you axle is not movable which would be the ideal solution.

 

[mattb4rd]

Re: Too Much Tongue Weight

hey Matt, i've a westside redneck. 1st you are flirting with major trouble use the the bumper hitch with that size boat. Ford put them there but they are not really functional.

Yeah I figured that. I only trailer 2 miles to Scotts Landing and about 5 miles to Kings Ferry, so I wasn't too worried about it for now.

get a frame mounted reciever hitch.

Good advice. I suppose discount auto or pep boys would have them?

about the only way you can reduce the tongue weight is to make an extension for the transom saver, and move the boat back, you also may have to redo the bunks, because the need to extended beyond the transom about 2 inches.
you axle is not movable which would be the ideal solution.

Sounds like a PITA. but still seems like good advice.

Thanks for the help!

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Too Much Tongue Weight

I don't know. Before you start moving the boat around, you might to actually weigh that tongue. It might not actually be overweight.

As tashasdaddy said, those bumper hitches just don't get it. A good frame-mount hitch receiver will make a world of difference, and it's important to know exactly what the tongue weight actually is. Once it gets over the weight you can lift, then it's impossible to tell what it actually weighs.

If this is a new boat from a dealer, it ought to be pretty close to right on the trailer supplied with it. I'd weigh it.

 

[mattb4rd]

Re: Too Much Tongue Weight

If this is a new boat from a dealer, it ought to be pretty close to right on the trailer supplied with it. I'd weigh it.

It's not, it is a 1991 that I bought out of someone's front yard. I'm not sure how to weigh it. My bathroom scale?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Too Much Tongue Weight

It is quite simple to establish tongue weight using a bathroom scale and a four foot plank. Unhook the trailer and level it with the tongue jack. Using a jack stand or a block of wood, place one end of the plank on the block. Place the other end of the plank on the scale, but again, use a block of wood to level the plank. You might want to place a piece of plywood on the scale to spread the load a little. Move the tongue (or the plank, blocks and scale) so the tongue is excactly at the two-foot point (middle) of the plank. Lower the tongue jack until the full tongue weight is resting on the plank. Read the weight and multiply the result by two to get tongue weight. Of course, most scales read to 300# so if the tongue weight is known to be less than that you can weight it directly (using a board or plywood to again spread the weight out on the scale).

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Too Much Tongue Weight

Matt, i've done 3 from here, took about 20 minutes. good directions.
http://www.hidden-hitch.com/

 

[mattb4rd]

Re: Too Much Tongue Weight

Matt, i've done 3 from here, took about 20 minutes. good directions.
http://www.hidden-hitch.com/

Thanks ! I just picked up a REESE from the local auto parts place and am reading the manual now.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Too Much Tongue Weight

good move.

 

[burroak]

Re: Too Much Tongue Weight

If you still want to get an approximate tongue weight, put your bathroom scale on an upside down milk crate and thin piece of plywood to protect the scale platform if Momma likes to keep her stuff nice. Lower the coupler onto the scale. I doubt if the tongue weight should be more that 150#. If its way over or under that, shift the axle.

 

[mattb4rd]

Re: Too Much Tongue Weight

Installed the hitch without a hitch. (I made a funny)

HOWEVER .. it lowered the trailer enough that now I'm worried about scraping on those steeper ramps. I bought a 2" drop and inverted it, but it's still awful low.

I will weigh the tongue tomorrow before my wife gets up.

 

[burroak]

Re: Too Much Tongue Weight

Installed the hitch without a hitch. (I made a funny)

HOWEVER .. it lowered the trailer enough that now I'm worried about scraping on those steeper ramps. I bought a 2" drop and inverted it, but it's still awful low.

I will weigh the tongue tomorrow before my wife gets up.

Shop around, these hitches come in a variety of drops (or rises). They can be found where pickup trucks are served. The lift kits and big tires make them necessary.

 

[fourwinnsdook]

Re: Too Much Tongue Weight

The boat looks to be on the trailer where it should be. Good move buying the hitch. It may look low, but you would be surprised what it would take for it to hit because of the geometry of the truck. i would rather the front of the trailer face down a little.

 

[QuadManiac]

Re: Too Much Tongue Weight

Typical trailering rule of thumb is 8 to 12 % of the load on the tongue. If you're pulling 3000 lbs, you need around 300 lbs of tongue weight.

 

[mattb4rd]

Re: Too Much Tongue Weight

Typical trailering rule of thumb is 8 to 12 % of the load on the tongue. If you're pulling 3000 lbs, you need around 300 lbs of tongue weight.

Hmm ok .. well I'm towing right at 2000 lbs, so the weight may in fact be correct.

I still haven't been able to weigh the tongue. I've been on vacation this week and have had fish-fever.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Too Much Tongue Weight

matt, when your trailer is connected to the hitch on the truck. on level ground. the trailer should be level. same distance at rear and tongue from the ground. that's proper towing. and inch or so won't hurt. i have 3 receivers to insert in my hitch for 3 different trailers.