Trailer tongue weight

[beezee28]

I have a 18' i/o maxum boat and I think it is loaded wrong as the tongue weight is too heavy. I tried to lift the trailer at the hitch and it is way too heavy for me to lift. What is the appropriate weight at the tongue with an 18' maxum boat on it. According to Maxum website a similar model boat weights about 2500 lbs. Given the extra weight of equipment and fuel, I would say that my boat would weight about 3000 lbs on the high end. Any help is appreciated.

 

[burp]

Re: Trailer tongue weight

Your trailer tongue weight should be between 5-7% of your total boat/trailer/gear weight but no more than what the trailer hitch is rated for. <br /><br />Too much tongue weight and the tow vehicle's rear end will be sagging. Too little and the trailer will tend to sway/fishtail when being towed.<br /><br />I'd start by making sure that hitch draw bar that you are using has the correct drop/raise so that the trailer is being towed level. Then I'd make a trip to a set of truck scales for 3 weight measurements.<br /><br />Pull the tow vehicle up on the scales, stopping where the tow vehicle is on the scales but the trailer tongue jack will be off the scales when lowered. Take a weight measurement (#1).<br /><br />Lower the trailer tongue jack and raise the trailer coupler off the trailer hitch ball. Take another weight measurement (#2).<br /><br />Reconnect the trailer to the tow vehicle, raise the tongue jack, and pull the whole rig onto the scales. Take another weight measurement (#3).<br /><br />Measurement 1 minus measurement 2 equals your tongue weight.<br />Measurement 2 equals your tow vehicle weight.<br />Measurement 3 minus measurement 2 equals your boat/trailer/gear weight.<br />Your tongue weight should be 5-7% of your boat/trailer/gear weight but no more than what the tongue weight of the hitch/draw bar are rated for.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Trailer tongue weight

I would say that my boat would weight about 3000 lbs on the high end.

You Should be right around or very close to 300lbs.............<br /><br />I think 5% is Too Light......<br /><br />Personally,.... I shoot for 7% to 10%.........

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Trailer tongue weight

Shorelander also says 5 - 7% and I agree with Bondo.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Trailer tongue weight

I would say that my boat would weight about 3000 lbs on the high end

Weigh it! <br /><br />Pull onto the scale with the trailer on the scale and the tow vehicle's rear wheels just forward of the scale platform. Record that weight. Put your trailer jack down (on the scale) and disconnect the coupler from the tow vehicle. Raise the trailer jack until the coupler clears the ball. Record that weight.<br /><br />The second reading (highest) is the weight of the trailer, boat, etc. The first (lower weight) is the weight carried by the trailer tires.<br /><br />Subtract the first (lower) weight from the second. This is the tongue weight, the weight that is being carried by the tow vehicle. It should be between 5% and 7% with tandem axle trailers at the low end and single axle trailers near the high end. The trailer should be parallel to the pavement when coupled to the tow vehicle.<br />