Trailer Tongue Scale

[HangOutdoors]

Slide the boat back a couple few more inches?

 

[Neutron]

A few inches should do it. 400 would be a good target and drive it, it will feel like a different towing experience. Lol

 

[Elliott]

I would keep the tongue weight to 10 - 12%. A little extra tongue weight will not hurt anything, but not enough tongue weight can cause a catastrophic accident. Look around the internet at hitch/tow equipment manufacturers - 10% is usually the goal.

This video shows the issue:

 

[Neutron]

I would keep the tongue weight to 10 - 12%. A little extra tongue weight will not hurt anything, but not enough tongue weight can cause a catastrophic accident. Look around the internet at hitch/tow equipment manufacturers - 10% is usually the goal.

This video shows the issue:

This topic has been beaten to death, and videos like that have been posted plenty. Shorlandr, the manufacturer of this trailer themselves clearly state that for their tandem axle trailers to set to 5 to 7%.
Why would you go beyond the recommendation of the manufacturer when its stated in black and white. And to boot the trailer tows much better when set right.

 

[Neutron]

This is right from their website

 

[HangOutdoors]

Ok i have set it to roughly 7-8%. It tows like a whole new trailer. Took it on freeway and everything.

Appreciate it

 

[Neutron]

Nice

 

[Elliott]

This topic has been beaten to death, and videos like that have been posted plenty. Shorlandr, the manufacturer of this trailer themselves clearly state that for their tandem axle trailers to set to 5 to 7%.
Why would you go beyond the recommendation of the manufacturer when its stated in black and white. And to boot the trailer tows much better when set right.

I would go with the 10% for the reasons I previously stated - a little extra tongue weight = no problem, too little tongue weight could cause a catastrophic accident with sway. With my boat the recommended tongue weight (@6%) is just over 200 lbs.; if I use 10% it is a little over 300 lbs. I would rather have an added margin to account for different loading of the boat (maybe it is not quite as snug), differing loads (fuel level in the boat, gear in or not in the boat) and etc. There is no sway control in the standard set up. For that reason, I would rather have an extra 100 lbs of margin; it would not take too many changes in the previously listed variables to change your tongue weight to something that is below a safe level.

Although I rarely tow my boat (kept at the marina in the dry stack - longest tow was 500 miles), I frequently tow my travel trailer. Using the proper tongue weight with a weight distributing hitch that has built in sway control makes for a highly stable tow.

 

[Dixie Highway]

Boats and travel trailers run differently. Wind resistance, trailer length, many factors. Shoreland’r recommends 5-7%, that’s what I’ll run with. With my boat set up the way it is, with that tongue weight leveled with my truck I get 0 sway whatsoever. Strong crosswinds do not affect it. Passing semis, coming over bridges, this is the most stable trailer I’ve towed. I have over 5,000 miles towing this over the past 14 months or so, perfect tire wear. Rides and brakes perfectly. 10% tongue weight is how it came, and it really towed like crap. Too much squat in the truck, bouncy ride, trailer downhill meant less force on the rear (braking) axle. If it tows well run it.

 

[Tatalover78]

Second on the weigh safe hitch. Been using for years on 20+ ft enclosed snow trailer and boat. No issues. Checking tongue weight takes 1 min max.

 

[dels]

Second on the weigh safe hitch. Been using for years on 20+ ft enclosed snow trailer and boat. No issues. Checking tongue weight takes 1 min max.

I just ordered one last night! Found a "used, like new" on Amazon and saved about $60 on it. Now to get the boat... only a few more... months

I learned a lot from this thread, thanks to everyone for sharing.

 

[HangOutdoors]

This looks interesting.

etrailer Tongue Weight Scale for Campers and Utility Trailers - 2,000-lb Capacity etrailer Tongue Weight Scale e99044

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

Ok i have set it to roughly 7-8%. It tows like a whole new trailer. Took it on freeway and everything.

Appreciate it

What was it before you set it to 7-8%?

 

[HangOutdoors]

550lbs circa

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

550lbs circa

Sorry I meant what was tge percentage ?

 

[HangOutdoors]

12-13% I would think. That was a couple of years ago.