Boat Adjustment

fishstick · #1 02-21-2009, 05:21 PM

Ever since I got my boat, I have had trouble luanching it off the trailer. I think it is sitting too close to the tongue. If I were to move it back, how is that going to effect hauling it on the road? How can you tell if it's ballanced right on the trailer?

cmerrick · #2 02-24-2009, 07:23 PM

The less tongue weight you have by moving the load farther back, you increase the probability the trailer will sway. I typically have between 2-300 pounds of tongue weight and don't even notice anything is back there.

fishstick · #3 02-25-2009, 12:30 PM

So would it make more sense to lenghten the tongue by a couple of feet, or stick with moving the boat back?

FLOATSUM · #4 02-25-2009, 08:55 PM

I've always adjusted so the transom is supported on the end of the trailer.
Then move the post to where ever it needs to be.
After that go for 7 to 10 percent of the total weight on the tongue. That can be done by moving the axel or by adjusting the contents for travel on the trailer.
I also adjust the bunks / rollers as low as I can get away with.
For level, I'll measure the frame inside the wheels (loaded) for heigth,,, then make the hitch to adjust the tongue to the same measurement or just a tad higher.
I've had good results with the above method for years and years.