Anyone think this boat is on the trailer a little too far back?

[medic3538]

My boat storage guy is thinking my boat should be sitting about even with end of the trailer in relation to the stern of the boat. There is a Chaperelle 268 (27 ft LOA w/ arch) in the same row of spaces that I will be storing and it is about even with the end of its' trailer.

Any thougts?

 

[Sorrento 25]

Ideally you want the trailer to support as much of the bottom of the boat as possible, and if you can move the gooseneck forward to achieve this all the better. BUT, you may thereafter have to relocate the axles to again achieve the correct tongue weight.

It looks like the bunks reach the transom though???

 

[mvoellinger]

Ideally you want the trailer to support as much of the bottom of the boat as possible, and if you can move the gooseneck forward to achieve this all the better. BUT, you may thereafter have to relocate the axles to again achieve the correct tongue weight.

It looks like the bunks reach the transom though???

Agreed. You want 10% of the total weight on the tongue, but you want the boat to be as much on the bunks as possible.

 

[Woody]

Your bunks look like they support the transom. What is the hitch weight? How does it tow?

 

[JimG]

Yea... what they said (Sorrento 25 & mvoellinger). Looks fine to me...

 

[dpvandy01]

Was this trailer made for this boat? If so who set the bow stop? I had a trailer made for my 280 and it was specifically jigged for my boat. LoadMaster made the trailer based on Sea Ray's specs and Sea Ray of Cincinnati put the boat on the trailer with a sling the first time. Once loaded they then set the bow stop based on the recommended location from Loadmaster to achieve the proper tongue weight and position. It's hard to tell from the photo where the transom is in relation to the edges of the bunks. Good luck, I'd be leery of changes on bow stop position as it relates to the redistribution of tongue weight.

 

[medic3538]

Was this trailer made for this boat? If so who set the bow stop? I had a trailer made for my 280 and it was specifically jigged for my boat. LoadMaster made the trailer based on Sea Ray's specs and Sea Ray of Cincinnati put the boat on the trailer with a sling the first time. Once loaded they then set the bow stop based on the recommended location from Loadmaster to achieve the proper tongue weight and position. It's hard to tell from the photo where the transom is in relation to the edges of the bunks. Good luck, I'd be leery of changes on bow stop position as it relates to the redistribution of tongue weight.

The trailer was built by Road King ordered by Russell Marine a Master Sea Ray dealer. I just didn't realize it was o.k. for the bunks to be hanging off the end of the trailer like that. Haven't seen anything like it before. I guess if Sea Ray ordered it and Road King built it, all should be well.

Taking delivery Friday night or Early Saturday morning. My weather is supposed to be in the mid 60's and 45 for the low Friday night, so we are planning a overnite Friday.

As usual, thanks again everbody!

 

[chuck1]

IMHO - dpvandy01 hit the nail on the head. Everybody else had given you great info, but you need to find out who and how the trailer was setup to start with.

Shoot it looks like we were posting at the same time. Hate it when that happens.

 

[medic3538]

IMHO - dpvandy01 hit the nail on the head. Everybody else had given you great info, but you need to find out who and how the trailer was setup to start with.

This boat is traveling from Alabama to S.C. Are you guys suggesting I get on the phone tomorrow and verify the set up of this boat?

Come to think of it, I'll just call for piece of mind.

 

[Woody]

If you really want to verify without a question take it to a scale and check the tongue weight. That is the only way you will know for sure.

 

[JimG]

This boat is traveling from Alabama to S.C. Are you guys suggesting I get on the phone tomorrow and verify the set up of this boat?

Come to think of it, I'll just call for piece of mind.

Going that far the tongue has got to be right. A friend that pulled a boat for another didn't have enough tongue weight... lost the whole rig into the medium at about 50mph... 31' Rinker. :wow:

 

[Henry Boyd]

I'd have to know the dry weight distribution (and center of gravity) of your boat, but it looks like 100% of the boat weight is on the trailer suspension. Anyway, we need to know about your tow vehicle and hitch, as well as trailer suspension capacity.

In general if we assume the boat CG (center of gravity) is at the fore/aft centerline, then moving the boat aft will place more weight on the trailer suspension. And lift the hitch, increasing tire contact on the steering axle (assuming two axle tow vehicle).

Intuitively this sounds good, but it may not be. If the weight on the front axle increases too much you can increase tire wear (minor problem) extending to being unable to control the vehicle. Steering will improve as weight is increased on front axle up to a point after which down force on the front tires puts them in in permanent skid mode (melting tread).

So first question, how does the tow vehicle drive? Does the steering seem overly sensitive when towing? Or does it seem hard to steer, or understeer (you turn the wheel and it happens in slow mow).

If there is no abnormal tire wear on trailer, or towing vehicle, or odd behavior when towing, I would suggest leaving things alone.

 

[medic3538]

If you really want to verify without a question take it to a scale and check the tongue weight. That is the only way you will know for sure.

O.k., I'll get it taken care of tomorrow. I saw a 18 wheeler truck scale 2 miles from this dealer on the freeway. I'll let everyone know the outcome.

 

[medic3538]

I'd have to know the dry weight distribution (and center of gravity) of your boat, but it looks like 100% of the boat weight is on the trailer suspension. Anyway, we need to know about your tow vehicle and hitch, as well as trailer suspension capacity.

In general if we assume the boat CG (center of gravity) is at the fore/aft centerline, then moving the boat aft will place more weight on the trailer suspension. And lift the hitch, increasing tire contact on the steering axle (assuming two axle tow vehicle).

Intuitively this sounds good, but it may not be. If the weight on the front axle increases too much you can increase tire wear (minor problem) extending to being unable to control the vehicle. Steering will improve as weight is increased on front axle up to a point after which down force on the front tires puts them in in permanent skid mode (melting tread).

So first question, how does the tow vehicle drive? Does the steering seem overly sensitive when towing? Or does it seem hard to steer, or understeer (you turn the wheel and it happens in slow mow).

If there is no abnormal tire wear on trailer, or towing vehicle, or odd behavior when towing, I would suggest leaving things alone.

I guess I should have added this, but the boat is being towed by a service that this dealer has used for years so they say. So, I don't have any of the info evryone is requesting.

I will be towing around town w/ an 03 F250 V10. When I did research on this vehicle, it appeared that it should work out. I will do as everyone has suggested and find out the information before I tow.

 

[Fishnut]

The trailer was built by Road King ordered by Russell Marine a Master Sea Ray dealer. I just didn't realize it was o.k. for the bunks to be hanging off the end of the trailer like that. Haven't seen anything like it before. I guess if Sea Ray ordered it and Road King built it, all should be well.

Taking delivery Friday night or Early Saturday morning. My weather is supposed to be in the mid 60's and 45 for the low Friday night, so we are planning a overnite Friday.

As usual, thanks again everbody!

Never assume; your engines, ie the weight, should be over the axles. The bunks look like they are a little long but maybe it's an optical illusion based on the angle of the picture. When you start trailering it, you should know pretty fast if things are amiss. Provided you have the frame level, then the boat should feel "light" behind the boat and you should not get any bounce. If the weight distribution is off you will feel it because the tongue will be bouncy and you will feel that sensation when you are driving. Good luck

 

[dpvandy01]

My 280 on a new trailer

 

[Henry Boyd]

Never assume; your engines, ie the weight, should be over the axles. The bunks look like they are a little long but maybe it's an optical illusion based on the angle of the picture. When you start trailering it, you should know pretty fast if things are amiss. Provided you have the frame level, then the boat should feel "light" behind the boat and you should not get any bounce. If the weight distribution is off you will feel it because the tongue will be bouncy and you will feel that sensation when you are driving. Good luck

Sorry, I wasn't trying to 'assume' a solution, but illustrate the effect of moving the boat position on the trailer.

I would also like to modify the statement that 'the weight should be over the axles'. On a tri-ax some weight should by on the axles, but some weight should also be distributed to the hitch/towing vehicle. The amount of each 'some' is determined by all of the factors, starting with hitch, axle and vehicle capacity and that is only the physical factors.

 

[MAKC]

One more important thing when towing: Make sure the trailer is as close to LEVEL when it is connected to your tow vehicle. On my F350 V10, i needed about a 3 inch drop to make sure it was level when connected. That will also make a huge difference. The truck stop scales will help you figure out of you need to move the bow stop forward or back to get the desired tongue weight. Once you've got it configured right, that V10 is going to pull that baby like its not even back there. Remember, if you can pull 11,000 lbs, you better be able to stop 11,000 lbs.

Good Luck

Mike

 

[wish2fish]

Have the dealer certify in writing that the setup is correct! You shouldn't have to do all this second guessing.

 

[douglee25]

Without knowing the weight figures, COG, etc, I would say it looks like it may need to come forward. Since your setup also uses sterndrives, the weight is more towards the rear vs. a V-drive setup, also leading me to believe that the boat should come forward slightly.

Doug