WestsydeGuy

https://www.shorelandr.com/pages/pf_trstep3.htm

This is from a famous boat trailer maker themselves.
They recommend 5 to 7 percent hitch weights.

Also since many boats are not tall with huge slab sides like a tt or enclosed cargo trailer the winds and the passing semi trucks do not push them around nearly as badly.
And yes to what Feathermerchant just said carry a spare, wheel wrench to fit lug nuts on trailer and a low profile jack that fits under it.
Do not just assume the jack and lug wrench in your tduck will work without trying them first at home before you leave.

Ps. To all who just always chime in with the same bs you read on some website 25 years ago, and keep regurgitating it about 10 to 15 percent on the hitch of every trailer regardless of type.....stop it before you hurt or kill someone with your ignorance.
Every trailer is different.
My Peterbilts use a hell of a lot more than 10 percent or even 20 percent or even 30 percent on their hitches....and my boat uses a wayyyyy less than 10 percent.
Misinformation is far more dangerous than silence.

5.0GN tow

Thanks, it's just that sometimes there are things that experience with a specific type of trailer will teach you. 30 years towing boats, lowboy equipment trailers, travel trailers, and horse trailers(GN and bumper pull) has given me a pretty good idea of what trailers need what hitch weight not to sway.

I don't know it all but do know a fair amount and learn more from every trip. My dad was a professional Teamster driver for 30 plus years and towed boats rvs from age 16 too, so I had a good teacher. I learned to pull farm equipment before I could legally drive on the road. Trailer towing is not rocket science, it's something you learn to do from time doing it.

My boat is a 19 foot 3800lb (on the trailer, fully fueled and loaded for vacation)open bow with a nice steel built to match trailer. It is way heavier than most it's size but has a hitch weight of just under 250lbs. It's the most stable trailer I have pulled other than my GN. I blew a tire at 70mph and it stayed straight and true while I pulled across two lanes to the berm. Needless to say it's pretty stable and sway resistant.

ncz

And what everyone said about the spare and jack x 2! If you are going on a long boat pull, carry two spares, ask me how I know

5.0GN tow

Yep we do and a floor jack in the tool box

avetjx

Thanks to all for their input. I weighed my truck and boat at a certified cat scale and the results are below. I have a weigh-right hitch with a built in tongue scale that reads right around 500 lbs with the boat attached but you can also see what the cat scale read. I have towed it twice and did not see/feel any sway and it tracked real well. With the 3.5 eco engine it was like pulling air.

With the weight being taken at each axle (hitch loaded):

steer axle: 2840
drive axle: 3100
trailer axle: 5060
gross weight: 11000

With the weight being taken full truck only on one scale (not attached to hitch) and boat/trailer on second scale:

steer axle: 0
drive axle: 5280
trailer axle: 5600
gross: 10880

WestsydeGuy

I have towed a lot of miles and towed just about everything imagine able.
Own large semi tractor trailers to.
Every one was trying to tell me the f150 was going to struggle and handle poorly towning my regal 28 express cruiser.
Half tanks of water and fuel, some pots and pans, propane, food, trailers, fishing gear its just over 9400 lbs. Add more water and fuel and food and its over 10,000 lbs. It tows so well its stunning.
Just sit back and relax as it tows effortlessly down the hwy, or through twisty mtn roads and we have lots of those in BC.

5.0GN tow

I know what you mean, I got at lot of questioning looks when I said I was going to be pulling my 3H GN with my 150. Normal towed weight is usually about 8000 and has sometimes been over 9000. Mine is a 5.0 and it does a great job with the heavier weight too.

WestsydeGuy

5.0 with 3.73 gears myself.
It is the perfect combination especially with my 5star tuner.
Ultra reliable as well

JJM

I'm all for towing safely but a boat weighing only 60/600 more than the non-WDH rating of the hitch is hardly anything to crap your pants over. A WDH is not required.