View Full Version : Weight Distributing Hitch on Boat Trailer
moman
03-02-2005, 02:12 PM
I'd like to put a weight distributing hitch on my boat trailer but all that I've found are NOT made to work with boat trailer. The tongue on the trailer is longer than the trunnion bars. Has anyone solved that problem through a custom application or found something off the shelf I have not? Thanks
Would require some modifications, the bars work effectively only if they are positioned at about a 30 degree angle or more from the centerline of the hitch, but then again unless you have a tounge weight of 400lbs or more, why?
Herring Impaired
03-02-2005, 02:57 PM
If you are getting too much sag on the tow vehicle, you might want to try air-springs. I put some Helwigs on my Dakota with an on board compressor, and they work great to level out the truck.
Most boat trailers have surge brakes. A weight distrubution hitch will prevent the trailer from sliding forward since the rods attach to the hitch and brackets on the trailer.
So, if you do this, make sure you have electric brakes or you will have no brakes at all!
moman
03-02-2005, 06:00 PM
A little more background, I have an F250 Crew cab with the heavy Airlift bags installed. This effectivley makes it a 350. I have a camper that loaded, pushes 3900 lbs. My SeaRunner is around 2,800 lbs, you can see I'm pushing the limits. My choices appear to surge or electric brakes but in neither case can I run a distributing hitch. I'd like to do both brakes and the hitch. I realize the tongue weight is only ~350 but I'm pressing the axle capacity and would like to move some of that weight to the front (which, if they work as advertised, the distributing hitches do. I also have to run a 12" or better yet, and 18": extension to get me past the camper. You can see the problem. My father in-laws solution is for me to buy a F350 King Ranch Dually but that's not in the cards. S
If your camper is really 3900 you are around 1000 lbs over capacity. With your 350 estimate tongue weight, you are 1350 over. That's scary to me. From what I've heard the weight capacity has more to do with what the frame will carry instead of what the springs will. So, adding the airbags didn't help although it may have made the vehicle level.
If it was me, I'd trade the camper and go to a lighter one if you can't go to the bigger truck.
WaterDog
03-02-2005, 10:47 PM
Are you guessing at these weights or do you really know what the weights are by having actually weighed it?
The first thing you need to do is weigh the truck empty with a full fuel tank and all the other stuff you carry. Get the total weight, and then weigh each axle. It would then be useful to load up the camper and reweigh everything.
Second thing is look at the axle weight rating in the door jam. Typically the axle rating will be the load rating of the tires (weakest link) so your probably looking at 6400lb's or so with the highest "E" tire. Once you have the weight, you can figure out how much you have left on the rear axle based on the AXLE RATING. I emphasize this because no matter what you do you will likely ALWAYS be over GVWR with your camper. That is life with a camper.
I'm guessing your going to be close on the axle but not over. The rear axle will have a higher load rating than the tires. What some have done is go to a 19.5" wheel and tire (Google Rickson)for the higher load capacity along with air bags. It's not cheap tho'.
Stopping is your biggest problem and brakes on the boat are a must. You don't need a weight distributing hitch. Many folks have bigger campers and bigger boats and they feel comfortable with the mentioned mods. Even with a dually you still maybe over your GVWR. I know because I drive a f350 DRW and with my 9.5 camper, I'm 1000lbs over my GVWR. I am however 2000 + lbs or so under the rear axle rating.
It's all a numbers game. Maybe with a new 2005 F350 CC DRW and their higher load capacity (17" wheels and larger brakes) a guy could be within the numbers. :shrug: But, at and MSRP of $49,490 :bigshock: (Local dealer has one on the lot) I think I'll stick with what I have.
moman
03-03-2005, 07:49 AM
I appreciate the opinion Jim but its a little more complicated than that as WaterDog mentioned. For instance, this is just a 9.9 camper, pretty "medium" in the camper realm. But when you do the math, the loaded wieght on mine and everyone elses is 3500 plus. I've done the math as you suggested WaterDog and based on all I can find, it appears that good brakes are my best and only option.
WaterDog
03-03-2005, 09:27 AM
moman, sounds like your on top of it.
Camper's are great if you like to tote a boat but trying to get it right on a 250/2500 truck is tough. Add a Crewcab and diesel it's close to impossible. A reg cab dually with a gasser 4x2 and you can stay with the numbers. Or there is the F450 option.
Good luck. :cheers:
troybuz
03-03-2005, 10:59 AM
Moman,
I am in the same type situation (although I would not consider a weight distribution hitch) and have researched this until I am exhausted.
Your biggest single safety issue is going to be your Tires. You need a tire that will support the loads applied. I ran my pickup/ camper combo over the scale last weekend...the GVW was 12400 pounds :whazzup: The rating for my F350) (A real 1 ton) is 9900 pounds
http://http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/4097gvw.jpg
My front axel came in just fire.
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/4097Front_Axel.jpg
The rear axel weight was 8050 pounds.
http://http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/4097rear_axel.jpg
The tires were E rated, for 3400 pounds, which is the highest rating you can get on a tire unless you go with a true truck tire (Which I just switched to.)
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/4097tire.jpg
With regard to tongue wieght, it should be 10% to 15%...anything less is hazardous...
Good luck and be safe, and by the way, the only Pick Up made to take your load is the new Ford Dually, I think it has a 5400 pound payload!
http://http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/4097profile2small.jpg
Holly sheeeeite Troy! :bigshock: :bigshock:
I thought I was heavy. How much does that camper weight?
KROY
Troy, great way to share more pictures of your toys. Lots of great info here.
Jet~~~
WaterDog
03-03-2005, 11:42 AM
Troy, My GVWR on my F350 dually is 11,200lbs and with my camper (9.5')ready to camp I'm at 12,200lbs. Published payload is pretty optimistic. Until you get on the scale you really dont know. The new f350 DWR have a GVW of 13,000 properly optioned.
Looks like you need a little more air in you airbags. Those Eagle Caps are sure nice campers. :grin:
(MoJet)
moman
03-03-2005, 12:29 PM
Wow, you look just like me going down the road, although I agree, a little more air in the bags is in order, IMHO. I said I've done my homework but I have not been to the scales, something to do Sunday. Thanks for all the info fellas. BTW, I have E-rated tires.
troybuz
03-03-2005, 01:13 PM
When I realized how over-weight I was I called the NHTSA and collected some crash statistics.
*Each year 59,000 vehicles which are pulling trailers are involved in reportable accidents, and in that number, 28,000 injuries occur.
* Camper crash statistics were much harder to diseminate, but there were 7 crashes which involved fatalities (USA)...they said "We do not have enough data on crashes or injuries involving slide-in campers to accurately track...in other words, statistically insignificant!"
From my take, you need real good tires, airbags (Obviously with more than 90 pounds!), a hitch rated for the load, quality brakes, and a transmission cooler if you run an automatic.
Nothing like living on the edge!
WaterDog
03-03-2005, 01:23 PM
And some engine mods to help keep up with traffic.
Mo Money
03-04-2005, 06:38 AM
I wouldnt bother with the hitch,the tongue weight on that boat is not your problem and the hitch wont help much.That camper is huge for that truck.Anything you do with that setup might hide your issue a little bit but I guess overlaods and airbags are the best you can do with out a new truck.I had a heavy setup like yours that exceeded my f-250 capacity and other than my butt puckering going down windy steep mountain grades, my biggest issue was tires.I had blow outs on 3 different trips.It seemed to happen when the tires were at 50 percent or so.I think that when the tires start getting old and ard worn they start loosing strengh.I had belts seperate, sidewall blow outs etc.I always had top of the line e rated tires also and always had proper air psi.BE CAREFUL!~!!!!
moman
03-07-2005, 09:30 AM
The answer: after much thought and mathematics, I'm going to double tow on those occasions when I abosolutley have to take both. In other word; take two vehicles. If I need to go really far, a cabin might be in order. The good news is that I can now look at trailers which, compared to campers offer a lot more room per $$$. And, as long as I keep the camper, I can still tow the driftboat and throw my kicker on. Thanks for all the advice.