Boat towing

periwinkle · 02-26-2003, 05:58 PM

Do any of you boat pullers use a weight distributing hitch assembly? I have an old EZ-lift that I used on a 20' travel trailer, but today a hitch installer told me they can have a negative effect on surge brakes! Any truth to that? The boat drops my GMC 150 about 1 1/2" when I hook up and I thought maybe I should shift a little weight forward. Any suggestions? This is a new boat to me, '89' 20' Bayliner cabin model on a dual axle King trlr. Thanks ------ :whazzup:

corrirod · 02-26-2003, 06:29 PM

Just read an article that said the same thing.

One thing you can do is use an offset hitch to help lift the trailer nose up and hopefully shift more boat weight to the trailer. Air shocks are always a good thing to have also.

jimh · 02-26-2003, 07:19 PM

I don't think 1 1/2 inch drop is significant.

I've used weight equalizing hitches with a camping trailer, but it had electric brakes.

OceanBlue · 02-27-2003, 05:05 AM

Periwinkle, what does the boat/trailer weigh?

Orca · 02-27-2003, 07:09 AM

I do tow with a previous version of Equalizer and it works. It is said NOT to work if you have a brake actuator that slides fore and aft, but does work with actuators with pivoting cups. I confirmed this with Equalizer before buying.

They now have a new system for boat towing here that they show hooked to a fore/aft actuator:

http://www.equalizerhitch.com/boat.html

[ 02-27-2003, 08:12 AM: Message edited by: Orca ]

Lepper · 02-27-2003, 05:52 PM

if your worried about the dropping, if your vehicle will allow it, add a leafs are rather simple to put in and in expensive...

periwinkle · 02-27-2003, 07:27 PM

Pilar -- I haven't a clue as to what the weight is -- maybe I should stop at a weigh station on a weekend.....

Good advice guys------no weight distributing bars and no sway bars with surge brakes. Isn't the switch over to electric quite expensive?

Guess I'll stick with what I have and maybe add some air shocks...

THANKS. :smile:

Rip'N'Lips · 02-28-2003, 06:58 AM

I had air bags put on my F-350 at Les Schwab for around $350 so I could put my camper on. They work out great, just put the load on, add some air and away you go....

If you are really worried, this might be an option although 1 1/2 inches doesn't seem unreasonable to me.

Thanks,

Rip'N'Lips

salmurai · 02-28-2003, 09:44 PM

Inch and a half isn't bad at all.It may not be enough. Aren't you supposed to have 10 to 15 percent of gross weight on the tongue? How does it pull down the road? Especially when you slow down. How about moving the axles fore or aft? The off-set hitch idea is probably the quickest and easiest. Just borrow one and try it. I raised mine about four inches and it is a lot better than using the straight one. Good Luck.....

Liquid Asset · 03-01-2003, 09:16 AM

Hey Peri...

It all depends on your rig. Find out what it's rated to pull...tongue weight and total trailer weight. Remember to consider fuel, gear, crew and the motor. It adds up fast!

We use a weight distributing hitch on our Avalanche and it kicks our capacity from 8500# to 10100# and it really calms the trailer down.

A good resource is Trailer Boat Magazine..they have a great website too!

Orca · 03-01-2003, 11:29 PM

For boat trailers you want 5 - 7 % tongue weight

blubeast · 03-03-2003, 06:40 AM

Another option to help the tail sag would be air shocks. Cheaper than the air bag lifts mentioned by Rin'N'Lips, but work in the same way. Solved my problem.

WaterDog · 03-03-2003, 08:57 AM

I would use caution using air shocks. They would be fine for leveling small loads but remember shock mounts are not designed to carry a load. Air bags are as they attach to the leaf springs and the frame. Big difference.

My 2 cents.