The trailer that I had made for my 310Da. is steel construction and as you can see in the picture has a short tongue compared to a lot of trailers on the internet with the same boat.My set up pulled fine so why are some trailers so long.
Trailer tongue length?
- Thread starter dvx216
- Start date
RollerCoastr
Well-Known Member
- Nov 15, 2007
- 3,884
- Boat Info
- 1997 400DA
340HP 7.4 Mercruiser Bluewaters
Garmin 741, 742, 8212, 24HD, Intellian I2
- Engines
- 1999 280BR
Twin 250HP Merc 350 Alpha Ones
I'm guessing that a longer trailer would've pulled even better?
I like having a long trailer because:
- It makes the boat look smaller than she is - less attention is good...
- It's easier and drier at the launch ramp. The truck stays high and dry on ALL ramps.
- It's very, very stable on the road. It never sways, even when empty.
- Longer trailers are actually easier to maneuver in reverse (less reactionary)
I don't like having a long trailer because:
- Tight/city turns can be stressful
- It can complicate storage
I like having a long trailer because:
- It makes the boat look smaller than she is - less attention is good...
- It's easier and drier at the launch ramp. The truck stays high and dry on ALL ramps.
- It's very, very stable on the road. It never sways, even when empty.
- Longer trailers are actually easier to maneuver in reverse (less reactionary)
I don't like having a long trailer because:
- Tight/city turns can be stressful
- It can complicate storage
typically large steel trailers have a shorter tongue. Large Aluminum trailers tend to be longer. I could be wrong but I would imagine it has to do with the strength of the aluminum vs steel. Here is a pic of my steel trailer.
Strypes
Well-Known Member
- Dec 10, 2015
- 1,283
- Boat Info
- Sea Ray 400 Sedan Bridge
Boston Whaler 235 Conquest
- Engines
- Twin Caterpillar 3116
Mercury Verado 225 4-Stroke
I agree with this.
Henry Boyd
Well-Known Member
- Apr 24, 2007
- 6,014
- Boat Info
- ‘09 Sabre 38 Hardtop Express “Serenity”
- Engines
- Volvo D6 w/IPS450 Pods
Keep in mind that unless you build a custom trailer for your specific boat, most trailer builders are trying to get the broadest range of possible boat sizes and shapes for each of their models.
Longer tongue length increases what is called swing radius. The swing radius is more critical with trailers with square fronts like box trailers, so the advantage here would be the ability to haul can, or houseboats.
The obvious, longer tongue length = longer trailer = longer boats that will fit.
Longer tongue and length gives greater flexibility in axle positioning, that in turn dictates weight distribution (axle weight load and tongue load). Again increases the possible spectrum of boats.
Longer tongue length increases what is called swing radius. The swing radius is more critical with trailers with square fronts like box trailers, so the advantage here would be the ability to haul can, or houseboats.
The obvious, longer tongue length = longer trailer = longer boats that will fit.
Longer tongue and length gives greater flexibility in axle positioning, that in turn dictates weight distribution (axle weight load and tongue load). Again increases the possible spectrum of boats.
boatman37
Well-Known Member
- Jun 6, 2015
- 4,251
- Boat Info
- 2006 Crownline 250CR. 5.7 Merc BIII
Previous: 1986 Sea Ray 250 Sundancer. 260 Merc Alpha 1 Gen 1
- Engines
- 5.7 Merc BIII
Our 250DA had a steel trailer with a fairly short tongue length. Our Crownline has an aluminum Venture trailer and the tongue length is quite a bit longer. The LOA on the 250DA was 28' on the trailer while our 250 Crownline is 31'. The swim platform is probably about 8" or so longer so that is some of that extra length.
I have moved the boat forward about 12" from this pic as you can see the back of the boat hangs quite a bit past the end of the aluminum rails. The bunks actually run back to the transom so I had to move the bunks forward.
Crownline
I have moved the boat forward about 12" from this pic as you can see the back of the boat hangs quite a bit past the end of the aluminum rails. The bunks actually run back to the transom so I had to move the bunks forward.
Crownline
