BOAT-TO-TRAILER MEASURING GUIDE
STEP #1
STEP #2
STEP #3
STEP #4
STEP #5
STEP #5 (cont.)

 

STEP #3: Figuring Tongue Weight... is important because too little will cause
trailer sway and too much will cause uncontrolled "pushing" of the tow vehicle.


A. Transom should be flush with the end of the bunks/rollers to make sure that tongue weight calculation is correct.
B. To determine proper tongue weight, total the package weight (boat with fuel/battery, motor with maximum horsepower, and trailer) and multiply it by 6% on single axles and 5% on tandem axle trailers. ShoreLand'r suggests that tongue weight may be acceptable in a 5-7% range.
  • Example:
Boat with fuel and battery
2,000 lbs.
Motor
500 lbs.
Trailer
900 lbs.
Total Weight
3,400 lbs.
Single Axle Figure
x 6%
Tongue Weight
204 lbs.


C. Using appropriate scale, weigh trailer at coupler, making sure the trailer is at towing height...

  • If tongue weight is within the 5-7% range, move to Step #4.
  • If tongue weight is too heavy, move axle forward an avg. of 10 - 15 lbs. per inch for which the tongue weight is over.
  • If tongue weight is too light, move axle back an avg. of 10 - 15 lbs. per inch for which the tongue weight is under.
  • After readjustment, check tongue weight again; proceed as necessary depending on results.


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