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Trailer loading

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mwr2700
Deckhand

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4 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/15/2010 : 04:12:27

Hello All:

I just bought a Road King trailer for my 86 swing keel and wondered how to determine the placement of the boat on the trailer. The first time it goes on the trailer I'll have it hauled at a marina to enable us to adjust the bunks properly using a lift. My question is if there is a standard distance the center of balance should be placed in front of the axles to insure adequate tongue weight?

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 07/15/2010 : 04:45:17

Congrats on the trailer.

I have a different brand trailer so my measurements probably wouldn't benefit you. A starting point would be - ideally 7-10% of the total weight - should be the tongue weight.

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 07/15/2010 : 06:38:59

I use the "CAT" scales at a truck stop to get an accurate weight. The tow vehicle will fit on the first scale and the trailer will fit on the second scale. Make sure the jack is on the second scale and raise the trailer off of the hitch ball. Then hit the call button to tell the guy in the truck stop you are ready. That way you will get an accurate weight of the boat and trailer. About 10% should be at the tongue.
Do this first without the boat on the trailer and you'll get an accurate weight of the boat itself by taking the difference in the 2 total weights. Most truck stops charge only a dollar for the second weight if done within 24 hours.

Edited by - on

Ed Cassidy
Captain

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USA
365 Posts

Response Posted - 07/15/2010 : 08:20:04

I like the solution of actually weighing things and I might even take it one step further. After weighing the truck and trailer separately, hook them back up and weigh again. The truck weight should go up by the amount of weight on the tongue and the trailer/boat should drop by the same weight.
Ed

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mwr2700
Deckhand

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4 Posts

Response Posted - 07/15/2010 : 09:11:33

I have a pretty good idea of the whole tongue weight thing and how to measure it with scales. I was hoping to hear someone had figured out a general rule of thumb about how many inches forward of the lead axle to place the center of balance. After all, I won't have truck scales available at the marina and this will be a first time set up.

It would seem that any given trailer is going to have a fixed tongue weight when empty. And if we know the designed weight of the boat (in general), and it's dimensions are fixed, then by placing the center of balance forward of the lead axle "X" inches would get the boat on the trailer in an approximate location to get the boat to the scales.

Edited by - mwr2700 on 07/15/2010 09:12:55

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 07/15/2010 : 10:52:33

I don't disagree that a measurement would be a good reference point - to start with. I'll be at my trailer/boat this p.m. and will be glad to measure from the center of the lead axle to the most forward point of the rubrail?

Edited by - OJ on 07/15/2010 10:56:55

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 07/15/2010 : 11:15:42

I don't know if this will help you, but on my trailer, a Trailrite fixed keel trailer, painted steel, the distance between the winch stand and the front axle is 12' even.

Edited by - dmpilc on 07/15/2010 11:17:48

mwr2700
Deckhand

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4 Posts

Response Posted - 07/15/2010 : 14:26:26

Yeah, that's the stuff! I just need quick and dirty to get me in the ballpark (and to the scales)

Thanks guys!

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 07/15/2010 : 19:45:57

Well dawg gone it - I received your reply after I left for the boat! I've made note to measure on Friday or over the weekend . . .

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mwr2700
Deckhand

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4 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2010 : 19:07:52

Found the following on an RV Site which might be a good tip to figure out trailer tongue loading at a gross level to get you to the scales.

Take a brick about the same height as your bathroom scale.

Buy a 4x4 that is about 12' long.

Measure the locations 6" from each end of the 12' long 4x4, and 10' from one mark. So you should have marks at 6", 1'6" and 11'6". Place a pair of stacked bricks at the 6" mark, with the trailer tongue jack at the 1'6" mark. Place the bathroom scale and 1 brick at the 10'6" mark.

Measure the weight on the scale, this is your "Tare Weight" and is subtracted from all future weights. Lower your hitch jack. 10% of the weight will go onto the brick on top of the scale, while 90% of the weight will go on top of the brick closest to the hitch.

So if you have 43 pounds on the scale, and it increases to 143 pounts, then you have added about 1,000 pounds of hitch weight.

If the scale weight increases by 56 pounds, multiply by 10, to get the actual weight added.

Make sure there is no wheel on the hitch jack, or if there is a wheel, that the wheel will not roll off of the 4x4 such as drilling a 2" hole 1/2" deep into the 4x4.

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 07/21/2010 : 06:01:00

http://www.etrailer.com/faq-trailertowtips.aspx

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