Broke The Cherry
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Broke The Cherry
Did my first tow today with my 2014 SCREW. Wanted to get at least 2000 miles on it first.
5.0L, 3:73, 7360 GVW.
The load was somewhere around 8000#(my setup is rated for 9300#). Still have to check the tongue weight.
For this boat it should be around 400-450#. Boat trailers go 5-7%
Got about 2" of sag in the rear, but front height stayed the same.
Did 60-65 on Hwy. Towed like a dream. Computer put me at 9.5mpg.
Was able to keep up speed going up hills too.
SInce this is the heaviest I'll tow, I'm happy I stayed with the V8.
5.0L, 3:73, 7360 GVW.
The load was somewhere around 8000#(my setup is rated for 9300#). Still have to check the tongue weight.
For this boat it should be around 400-450#. Boat trailers go 5-7%
Got about 2" of sag in the rear, but front height stayed the same.
Did 60-65 on Hwy. Towed like a dream. Computer put me at 9.5mpg.
Was able to keep up speed going up hills too.
SInce this is the heaviest I'll tow, I'm happy I stayed with the V8.
#5
Senior Member
You are mistaken in your assumption of the tongue weight.
Regardless of what the trailer is towing, tongue weight must be a minimum of 10% for safe towing. Any less and you risk heavy sway at speed.
This is proved by you squat. 450# would not result in 2" of squat. In fact 450# would be barely noticable in terms of squat in that truck.
Your tongue weight is significantly more. You need to weigh it to know for certain. I will guarantee it is closer to 800# plus. I will also guarantee you are over your hitch rating without a WDH or a different hitch rating for that weight without a WDH.
Over all you will be close or over your trucks payload I would think.
You need to find out for certain and try to make changes to gets thing into or closer to the safety zone.
I'm not a tow **** but believe you are way underestimating what is going on with your load.
Regardless of what the trailer is towing, tongue weight must be a minimum of 10% for safe towing. Any less and you risk heavy sway at speed.
This is proved by you squat. 450# would not result in 2" of squat. In fact 450# would be barely noticable in terms of squat in that truck.
Your tongue weight is significantly more. You need to weigh it to know for certain. I will guarantee it is closer to 800# plus. I will also guarantee you are over your hitch rating without a WDH or a different hitch rating for that weight without a WDH.
Over all you will be close or over your trucks payload I would think.
You need to find out for certain and try to make changes to gets thing into or closer to the safety zone.
I'm not a tow **** but believe you are way underestimating what is going on with your load.
Last edited by Dirttracker18; 08-21-2014 at 10:09 AM.
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Boat trailers are 5-7% at the tongue. Wheels are set back further. They are not the same as other trailers. A WDH is not recommended by Load Rite. The trailer has hydraulic surge brakes and the mfg warns against using one.
If my daughter and I sit on the tailgate (400 combined) I drop easy 2 inches.
I'm going to measure the tongue weight when I get the boat back.
If my daughter and I sit on the tailgate (400 combined) I drop easy 2 inches.
I'm going to measure the tongue weight when I get the boat back.
Last edited by FDHog; 08-21-2014 at 02:48 PM.
#7
Boat trailers are 5-7% at the tongue. Wheels are set back further. They are not the same as other trailers. A WDH is not recommended by Load Rite. The trailer has hydraulic surge brakes and the mfg warns against using one.
If my daughter and I sit on the tailgate (400 combined) I drop easy 2 inches.
I'm going to measure the tongue weight when I get the boat back.
If my daughter and I sit on the tailgate (400 combined) I drop easy 2 inches.
I'm going to measure the tongue weight when I get the boat back.
If your trailer doesn't recommend a WDH, then it's a poorly designed trailer.
With an 800 lbs tongue weight and 2" of drop, you are over the hitch receiver's rating of 5000 lbs towing and 500 lbs tongue weight for a Weight "CARRYING" Hitch. Put on a Weight "DISTRIBUTION" Hitch and your Hitch (NOT tow) rating goes up to 10,500 lbs towing and 1,050 lbs tongue weight.
If you're going to be towing without a WDH, you'd need a class 5 hitch on a 3/4 ton or larger truck. Since that boat isn't a big load, you need to get a properly designed trailer that is recommended and designed to handle a weight distribution hitch.
Plus surge brakes suck and can be dangerous on hills. I didn't know anyone was even making trailers anymore with surge brakes since every truck can be had with an electronic brake controller ready kit.
Maybe you can go to a trailer shop and have it beefed up to handle the necessary weight distribution hitch.
I've heard of boat/trailer combos being from 8% to 10% but that's a ridiculously low percentage weight for the tongue.
My trailer's tongue weight is between 800 and 900 lbs and looks to be about 2" drop when I remove the spring bars to back into my driveway.
Hek, I can throw 350 lbs of salt bags on my tailgate and it barely drops, if at all.
Good luck.
Last edited by Mike Up; 08-21-2014 at 06:02 PM.
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#8
Senior Member
Boat trailers are 5-7% at the tongue. Wheels are set back further. They are not the same as other trailers. A WDH is not recommended by Load Rite. The trailer has hydraulic surge brakes and the mfg warns against using one.
If my daughter and I sit on the tailgate (400 combined) I drop easy 2 inches.
I'm going to measure the tongue weight when I get the boat back.
If my daughter and I sit on the tailgate (400 combined) I drop easy 2 inches.
I'm going to measure the tongue weight when I get the boat back.
However I think if your weight of 8000# is accurate you will find your TW to be high then you think.
#9
#10
U look fine, happy boating ! Stay safe with your speed and crosswinds.
Last edited by papa tiger; 08-22-2014 at 12:11 AM.