Harry Gordon
P14 #234, Manatee
Little Dude tilt-up trailer
Mountain View, CA
>Judy and All
>
>I don't know if I am a trailer guru, but I will try to answer your question.
>I have towed many sail and power boats in my time. The only time I got in
>trouble towing a boat was with a Ford Bronco. The trailer tongue weight was
>less than it should have been and the length from the tow ball to the axle
>was not enough. I just about lost the whole thing on I 35 when it started to
>sway. The remedy was to move the axle back which of course added to the
>tongue weight. I never had trouble again. The short wheel base of the
>Bronco also added to the problem. Since the I have towed mostly with
>Suburbans. I have always left the length from the ball to the axle as long
>as I could, and have carried plenty of tongue weight. One advantage that I
>have is that the Suburban can handle a lot of tongue weight. In my opinion it
>is to your advantage to carry as much tongue weight as you can for your tow
>vehicle. This in turn keeps the distance from the ball to the axle at a
>greater distance which also adds to the stability of the rig. I guess what
>I'm trying to say is that if your tow vehicle can handle the weight, and it
>is towing ok the way it is, I'd leave it just the way it is. There is no
>rule saying that you cannot go above the 5 to 10%. I have always believed
>this to be a minimum. Any other ideas out there?
>
>Dale Place
>Farmington, Mn
>P19 #769 Maggie May