Not about ‘Boats and Motors’, but, I’ll drop this here.
An interesting illustration of how weight distribution on your trailer effects the stability of the entire rig. Done right, a perturbed rig wants to return to stable and calm. Done wrong, once perturbed, the rig will rapidly get out of control.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jk9H5AB4lM
17’ Henry O Hornet w/ Johnson 88 spl
26’ Palmer Scott project hull
14’ Bentz-Craft w/ Yamaha 25
I assumed anyone that hooks up a trailer understood this concept. But the number of camper trailers and boats that I see going down the interstate with ass ends loaded with full coolers and bikes tell me otherwise. Funny seeing them have to drive below the speed limit all because they didn’t put the Yeti 110 full of silver bullets on the front of the trailer. That’s why you need a real tow rig that can handle a heavy tongue weight so you can move more weight to the tongue for safe travels.
“Wailord”
1979 17’ Montauk
90 Johnson
Wilderness Ride 115
quote:
Originally posted by GeronimoI assumed anyone that hooks up a trailer understood this concept. But the number of camper trailers and boats that I see going down the interstate with ass ends loaded with full coolers and bikes tell me otherwise. Funny seeing them have to drive below the speed limit all because they didn’t put the Yeti 110 full of silver bullets on the front of the trailer. That’s why you need a real tow rig that can handle a heavy tongue weight so you can move more weight to the tongue for safe travels.
“Wailord”
1979 17’ Montauk
90 JohnsonWilderness Ride 115
These are typically the same people that don’t know a d@mn thing about “rules of the road” on the water as well. I mentioned this on a different forum but I for one would be in favor of a “boater’s driving test.” Aside from all of the “on the water” things a boater NEEDS to know, it would include trailering and relative aspects for trailer prep and maintenance. We have to take and pass a driving test to get our driver’s license for operating a motor vehicle on the roads/highways. Why shouldn’t one be required for operating a “motor vehicle” on the water?
And before the “I don’t want the government telling me what to do” crowd shows up to jump on me; I’m not a “big government” guy. I rely more on commonsense than published laws/regulations to govern my own life but something has to be done. The most recent boating incident on Lake Murray is yet another example, that is far too often repeated on our state’s waterways, of why something needs to be done.
No matter how much it hurts, how dark it gets, or how far you fall…you are never out of the fight.
FYI - Unless the drop is enormous, it will have negligible effect on weight distribution.
17’ Henry O Hornet w/ Johnson 88 spl
26’ Palmer Scott project hull
14’ Bentz-Craft w/ Yamaha 25
i wasnt talking about the drop, i was talking about the gauge on the side of the hitch
quote:
Originally posted by TheMechanici wasnt talking about the drop, i was talking about the gauge on the side of the hitch
Ah.
That is slick.
17’ Henry O Hornet w/ Johnson 88 spl
26’ Palmer Scott project hull
14’ Bentz-Craft w/ Yamaha 25
Slick, but salty!
No matter how much it hurts, how dark it gets, or how far you fall…you are never out of the fight.
salty indeed
When I purchased my boat in Florida I was fooled into purchasing a boat with the wrong trailer set up. I followed the previous owner from the sea trial to his place of business to complete the sale. He hitched the trailer up when I backed up to it.
As soon as I hit 50 mph the problem became evident when it tried to put me in the ditch. Limped to the next exit and found no tongue weight.
After a call to my uncle the boat transporter, I stopped by the home depot and purchased a bunch of quick-crete and loaded the front of the trailer. The wife wanted to go back and have words with the seller.
It was a harsh reminder of what can happen when a 5000 lb truck is pulling a 8000 lb trailer…
8000 # boat pushing a 5000 # truck!