jackhammer

I have a Scarab III on a new trailer and I believe the tongue weight is too light. I can slide the front on pavement without too much effort and if I bounce on the swim platform it nearly comes off the ground. The worst part I'm noticing is that my tow truck (a 96 Dodge 1 ton 4x4) has such a bumpy ride that it is very uncomfortable... I'm sure that the trailer would bounce right off at the slightest bump if it wasn't locked.

So my question is... What is a good tongue weight? If I had to guess I'd say I was close to 250lbs as it sits. I have a class 5 hitch which says it's good up to 1700 lbs, but I don't think I want to go near that. How will it effect driving if I go too heavy? Any dangers I need to watch for?

Thanks!

Fountain38SC

You're too light. I think the ratio is 10% on the tongue. There was a thread on this not too long ago. You could search for it.

jackhammer

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...=tongue+weight

Found it! Thanks!

WILDTHING TAZ

10% Of Total Weight Of Trailer & Boat

mcollinstn

10% 10% 10%

Less than that can be dangerous.
Your rig will drive MUCH better with weight on the tongue. You don't adjust tongue weight to "whatever the truck will take", you adjust tongue weight to 10%. THEN if you need additional springs/airbags/equalizer hitch to keep the truck from sagging too badly, you add whatever it needs.

Until you get your rig adjusted to the correct tongue weight, drive only at low speeds in town, don't get it on the highway.