Re-setting single axle to reduce tongue weight

[Magnum61]

Ever done it on a single axle trailer?!... If so, how?

Mine seems overly heavy in the front end. And the trailer was a kit Magnum brand boat trailer.

Thanks

[Starfish]

Really easy. Go launch the boat and tie it up or anchor it out of the way (not so easy right now actually I guess). Then go back to the parking lot and loosen the u-bolts holding the axle. Use a sharpie or marks-a-lot to mark where the axle currently is. Take a rubber mallet or a chunk of wood and a hammer, and knock the axle a few inches forward (to lighten) or rearward (to increase) the tongue weight. Just alternate sides of the boat and you can "walk" the axle either direction pretty easily. Don't move it more than a couple of inches at a time or your tongue weight could become dangerously light. Be sure to go an even distance on each side. You can eyeball it with your original marks but it's also a good idea to measure to a fixed point on the trailer just in case your previous setup was a little off. Finally don't forget to tighten up all the bolts!

[Magnum61]

Is there a certain tongue weight you should have. As in a ration. 2k lb. boat/ 200 lb tongue weight?

It doesn't have to be that difficult but I'm curious if there is any guidelines? for safety?

Thanks for the walk through.

[RiverJohn]

Originally Posted by Magnum61

Ever done it on a single axle trailer?!... If so, how?

Mine seems overly heavy in the front end. And the trailer was a kit Magnum brand boat trailer.

Thanks

One other idea, ever so slightly raise hitch ball height. Not much can go a long way. My NR Trailer has a brake actuator that made the hitch ball too low by appx 2", I had to raise the ball to make everything level.

Then when I need my hitch for say a UHaul utility trailer I have to go back to the original height.

Perhaps this is not your issue at all, just sharing.

Good Luck.

[honker1]

Originally Posted by Starfish

Really easy. Go launch the boat and tie it up or anchor it out of the way (not so easy right now actually I guess). Then go back to the parking lot and loosen the u-bolts holding the axle. Use a sharpie or marks-a-lot to mark where the axle currently is. Take a rubber mallet or a chunk of wood and a hammer, and knock the axle a few inches forward (to lighten) or rearward (to increase) the tongue weight. Just alternate sides of the boat and you can "walk" the axle either direction pretty easily. Don't move it more than a couple of inches at a time or your tongue weight could become dangerously light. Be sure to go an even distance on each side. You can eyeball it with your original marks but it's also a good idea to measure to a fixed point on the trailer just in case your previous setup was a little off. Finally don't forget to tighten up all the bolts!

I moved my axle as described by Starfish, but I did mine in the garage. I jacked up the boat and trailer until the wheels were off the floor. Then I put wooden blocks under the trailer frame about 12" in front and behind the wheels. With the tires off the floor you can loosen the U-bolts and walk the axle a few inches forward to lighten the tongue weight. Don't move it to far, a few inches will make a world of difference.
Don't get it to light, as a light tongue weight will try to lift the back tires of the towing vehicle and could cause control problems. You may want to read this....
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread....+tongue+weight
Good luck.

[Tinman]

Pretty much as others have said. I've done it several times, and although it is heavy work, it's not especially difficult. With the boat off the trailer, I jack up the trailer and put it on jackstands, still connected to the tow rig. Then walk the axle as described above, and retighten the bolts.

Tongue weight should be 7 to 10% of total trailer weight. You can use a bathroom scale to check.

[Jay in Kitsap]

Recently got a new trailer, as initially set up the bunks had 2" showing past the transom. I moved the front post back which solved that and reduced the tongue weight. A lot easier.

[justfish]

When adjusting the front post, always make sure the transom is supported by the bunks.

[troybuz]

Here's a quote from one of my favorite safe boat towing articles:

 Tongue weight is the amount of the trailer’s weight that presses down on the trailer hitch. Too little tongue weight can cause the trailer to sway and fishtail. Too much tongue weight can cause many problems, including not enough weight on the front wheels of the tow vehicle. When this occurs, the tow vehicle will be less responsive to steering. Too much tongue weight can also cause the vehicle to squat too much, causing the tongue angle to deflect downward into a less than optimum angle. As a general rule, tongue weight should be from 9% to 15% of Gross Trailer Weight. Instead of guessing, consider a Sherline Trailer Tongue Weight Scale, which was developed to make it easy to obtain tongue weights on non-commercial trailers for safe loading and proper trailer handling.

Google the name for more information on the tongue weight tool they carry.

[Magnum61]

Great! I think I'm going to stick w/ 10% since I'm pulling with a newer Toyota Tacoma.

[Califbill]

Make sure the axle is square to the trailer. Otherwise you will be crabbing the trailer or scuffing the tires. Measure from the back of the side rails. According to the EZloader guy, they are equal, and easiest place to measure from.

[Lead Bouncer]

safer to launch the boat than jack it up.

Careful about moving the front post. The handle can sneak up on your tailgate and punch a hole in it.

extra bunk past the stern is ok, extra stern past the bunk is not. Major support area and if you have rollers, you will need to check the height again, if the boat moves one way or the other.

[Roperguy]

I am curious why the comments about the bunks extending past the stern. You don't see rollers behind the stern.
I have seen similar comments in threads before and never seen or heard a plausible explanation for it.
just wondering
Maury

[chummer]

I would add to consider your brake lines if you have surge brakes, don't want to kink the brake lines.