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Rich Hampel Rich Hampel is offline
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First recorded activity by BoatBanter: Jul 2006
Posts: 95
Default Loading a boat on a trailer; center of balance,..

Another consideration: Dynamic stability of the trailer 'at speed'

Be sure that the 'aspect ratio' of the trailer drawbar length (length
of the distance from the 'hitch' to the center line of the axel) versus
the width of the center line of the wheels (track width) is a ratio of
3 or more.
If you get this ratio too low the trailer will beome unstable at speed
and the trailer will tend to 'hunt' (back and forth) behind the vehicle
thats pulling it. The bigger this ratio (extra draw bar length) the
more stable the 'dynamics' of the trailer when being towed.


In article , ray lunder
wrote:

The new dual axle trailer is coming along. IR now a welder. I could
use some basic math help around figuring out where to place the boat's
center of balance on the trailer. (so I can put the bunks in place) If
it were exactly between the two axles then it would have zero % tongue
weight. Is this correct?
There seem to be several schools of thought around what percentage of
tongue weight is ideal, proper or even workable. Let's say you picked
10% as your goal,..
My question then is how far would you move the boat's center of
balance forward to obtain this?
Also, does going up or down hill change this? If so how do you allow
for that?
The boat is 23' on deck and approx 4300lbs if that makes a difference.
The tow vehicle is a 3/4 ton chevy with a tow package.
Thanks for your time as always.