Trailering (last gasp...)

Krumpe, Andrew (AKrumpe@dgo.com)
Thu, 19 Aug 1999 10:16:27 -0400


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West Wight Potter Website at URL
http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
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Wow! Who would have thought that so much conversation would have been
generated? Having read all the different views I debated whether my 2 cents
would make any difference. It probably won't, but that is for you to decide.

My Potter 19 with trailer weighs between 1500 and 1600 lbs. We tow it with a
1995 Volkswagon Passat which has a V-6 engine, front wheel drive, and a 5
speed manual transmission. I've never determined the tongue weight, but
since both my wife (4'10", 100lbs) and I separately can lift it, I estimate
it at 50-80 lbs. That would put it between 3 and 5 percent of the towed
weight. We have no problems with swaying or any side to side motion unless
we go over about 65-70 mph. I wouldn't want to go much faster than that
anyway, and with a low tongue weight we have no trouble with steering or
with pulling the boat out on steep ramps.

I guess my feelings are that if you're satisfied with how things are
working, then there's no need to mess with anything like the 10% rule of
thumb.

Andy Krumpe
P19, Great Wight