What is the proper way to balance a trailer? I have a 18ft CC sitting on a
single axle trailer, and I'm getting ready to replace the springs(rusted).
The other day, I was talking to a guy with a 26 footer, also on a trailer,
and he could lift his trailer tongue with one hand. No way I can do that
with mine. So it got me thinking of ways I could fix it. The boat sits well,
so I don't think shifting the boat is the answer, so how about moving the
axle slightly forward when I change the springs? I'm not even sure I can do
that.
So, how do you balance a trailer, and most of all, what is the stupidest
thing that could happen from the effort?
Thanks

There is a percentage of total weight that is supposed to be onthe tongue.
I believe it is %10. The guy with the 26' boat that can lift the tonque
does not have his trailer balanced properly. You can achieve it either by
moving the springs or by moving the boat. Yours is most likely fine.

"rcoleman" wrote in message
...
What is the proper way to balance a trailer? I have a 18ft CC sitting on
a single axle trailer, and I'm getting ready to replace the
springs(rusted). The other day, I was talking to a guy with a 26 footer,
also on a trailer, and he could lift his trailer tongue with one hand. No
way I can do that with mine. So it got me thinking of ways I could fix it.
The boat sits well, so I don't think shifting the boat is the answer, so
how about moving the axle slightly forward when I change the springs? I'm
not even sure I can do that.
So, how do you balance a trailer, and most of all, what is the stupidest
thing that could happen from the effort?
Thanks

rcoleman wrote:
What is the proper way to balance a trailer? I have a 18ft CC sitting on a
single axle trailer, and I'm getting ready to replace the springs(rusted).
The other day, I was talking to a guy with a 26 footer, also on a trailer,
and he could lift his trailer tongue with one hand. No way I can do that
with mine. So it got me thinking of ways I could fix it. The boat sits well,
so I don't think shifting the boat is the answer, so how about moving the
axle slightly forward when I change the springs? I'm not even sure I can do
that.
So, how do you balance a trailer, and most of all, what is the stupidest
thing that could happen from the effort?
Thanks


One hand??? Who was he...the Terminator?
Roughly one tenth of your boat weight should be on the tongue.
My boat/trailer/motor weigh around 1700-1800 lbs but I have 130lbs on
the tongue...a bit light.
Safety issue here...
http://www.etrailer.com/faq/trailer-towing-tips.asp

(rcoleman)
What is the proper way to balance a trailer? I have a 18ft CC sitting on
a single axle trailer, and I'm getting ready to replace the
springs(rusted). The other day, I was talking to a guy with a 26 footer,
also on a trailer, and he could lift his trailer tongue with one hand.
No way I can do that with mine. So it got me thinking of ways I could
fix it. The boat sits well, so I don't think shifting the boat is the
answer, so how about moving the axle slightly forward when I change the
springs? I'm not even sure I can do that.
So, how do you balance a trailer, and most of all, what is the stupidest
thing that could happen from the effort?
Thanks
==================================
This came up a few years ago and the consensus was that for a boat 20 to
25 feet the average weight should be from 75 to 100 pounds on the
tongue. Out of curiosity, I checked the tongue weight on my 21 footer
by putting a regular bathroom scale under the tongue jack. It showed
85 pounds which was what the dealer set it up for. (About the only
thing he did right!!)

Happy boating and thanx for posting a boat related topic!!

Norm

In article , rcoleman says...

What is the proper way to balance a trailer? I have a 18ft CC sitting on a
single axle trailer, and I'm getting ready to replace the springs(rusted).
The other day, I was talking to a guy with a 26 footer, also on a trailer,
and he could lift his trailer tongue with one hand. No way I can do that
with mine. So it got me thinking of ways I could fix it. The boat sits well,
so I don't think shifting the boat is the answer, so how about moving the
axle slightly forward when I change the springs? I'm not even sure I can do
that.
So, how do you balance a trailer, and most of all, what is the stupidest
thing that could happen from the effort?
Thanks


I pretended to do that once, it was easy.

Thanks for the input. I got out the bath scales and found my tongue weighed
over 300lbs (have fun with that one). It does help explain why I've always
had such great traction at the ramp! I'm almost disinclined to change it now
because my normal towing distance is only about a mile, and the speed limit
is 25mph. So handling doesn't really play an important part, and the extra
weight on the drive wheels might be missed at low tide on a slippery ramp. I
always wondered why those guys in the macho pick-ups spun and slid, and my
BMW just pulled right out.

Just for kicks, does anyone know what a 18ft CC might weigh?



"rcoleman" wrote in message
...
What is the proper way to balance a trailer? I have a 18ft CC sitting on
a single axle trailer, and I'm getting ready to replace the
springs(rusted). The other day, I was talking to a guy with a 26 footer,
also on a trailer, and he could lift his trailer tongue with one hand. No
way I can do that with mine. So it got me thinking of ways I could fix it.
The boat sits well, so I don't think shifting the boat is the answer, so
how about moving the axle slightly forward when I change the springs? I'm
not even sure I can do that.
So, how do you balance a trailer, and most of all, what is the stupidest
thing that could happen from the effort?
Thanks

rcoleman wrote:
Thanks for the input. I got out the bath scales and found my tongue weighed
over 300lbs (have fun with that one). It does help explain why I've always
had such great traction at the ramp! I'm almost disinclined to change it now
because my normal towing distance is only about a mile, and the speed limit
is 25mph. So handling doesn't really play an important part, and the extra
weight on the drive wheels might be missed at low tide on a slippery ramp. I
always wondered why those guys in the macho pick-ups spun and slid, and my
BMW just pulled right out.

Just for kicks, does anyone know what a 18ft CC might weigh?


Depends on a lot of things - motor size/weight, fuel on board, trailer
weight (aluminum or steel), etc.

I hope you have the X5 and not the X3. 3.0 or 4.4?

Dan

You'll laugh, but I haul her with a '94 525. Had to have a hitch custom
made. I do get some funny looks from the ramp watchers, especially when
everyone is fighting with the drop off at low tide. I've had people try to
warn me off, but I've never even spun a tire.


"Dan Krueger" wrote in message
ink.net...
rcoleman wrote:
Thanks for the input. I got out the bath scales and found my tongue
weighed over 300lbs (have fun with that one). It does help explain why
I've always had such great traction at the ramp! I'm almost disinclined
to change it now because my normal towing distance is only about a mile,
and the speed limit is 25mph. So handling doesn't really play an
important part, and the extra weight on the drive wheels might be missed
at low tide on a slippery ramp. I always wondered why those guys in the
macho pick-ups spun and slid, and my BMW just pulled right out.

Just for kicks, does anyone know what a 18ft CC might weigh?


Depends on a lot of things - motor size/weight, fuel on board, trailer
weight (aluminum or steel), etc.

I hope you have the X5 and not the X3. 3.0 or 4.4?

Dan

rcoleman wrote:
You'll laugh, but I haul her with a '94 525. Had to have a hitch custom
made. I do get some funny looks from the ramp watchers, especially when
everyone is fighting with the drop off at low tide. I've had people try to
warn me off, but I've never even spun a tire.


"Dan Krueger" wrote in message
ink.net...

rcoleman wrote:

Thanks for the input. I got out the bath scales and found my tongue
weighed over 300lbs (have fun with that one). It does help explain why
I've always had such great traction at the ramp! I'm almost disinclined
to change it now because my normal towing distance is only about a mile,
and the speed limit is 25mph. So handling doesn't really play an
important part, and the extra weight on the drive wheels might be missed
at low tide on a slippery ramp. I always wondered why those guys in the
macho pick-ups spun and slid, and my BMW just pulled right out.

Just for kicks, does anyone know what a 18ft CC might weigh?


Depends on a lot of things - motor size/weight, fuel on board, trailer
weight (aluminum or steel), etc.

I hope you have the X5 and not the X3. 3.0 or 4.4?

Dan


You must have some very nice ramps there! I used to drag a 17' bowrider
with a small 4 cyl. I/O out of the water with my company car - a Ford
Taurus. On more than one occasion we had to recruit some extra weight
over the front wheels.

Dan

On Mon, 17 Oct 2005 10:49:03 GMT, "rcoleman" wrote:

What is the proper way to balance a trailer? I have a 18ft CC sitting on a
single axle trailer, and I'm getting ready to replace the springs(rusted).
The other day, I was talking to a guy with a 26 footer, also on a trailer,
and he could lift his trailer tongue with one hand. No way I can do that
with mine. So it got me thinking of ways I could fix it. The boat sits well,
so I don't think shifting the boat is the answer, so how about moving the
axle slightly forward when I change the springs? I'm not even sure I can do
that.
So, how do you balance a trailer, and most of all, what is the stupidest
thing that could happen from the effort?
Thanks


The manual for my trailer calls for 6-8% of the total load as the tongue weight.
I set mine for about 7%, about 450 lbs.

Check the trailer manual, or call the manufacturer.
--
John H

"All decisions are the result of binary thinking."