With the extendable tongue in its shortest position, and my '91 23' shoal draft winged keel loaded on as far forward as possible, the tongue weight is no more than 100-110lbs. Ken's sticker says I want 300-350lbs. Yes, the trailer sways at 50mph. Must I trailer only with the tongue extended? Need I add weight to the tongue? Might I move the rubber v mount bar tabernacle closer to the hitch? Anyone experience this problem or have any suggestions?
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Move some weight forward in the boat
That's the quickest and most effective way to get more weight onto the trailer hitch. Take some of your stuff out of the cockpit locker and from way back there in the port quarter berth and move it into the forepeak. Here are a few more suggestions: a) If you haven't already done so, take the rudder and outboard off. I've seen people carry these on the trailer ahead of the keel. b) take the battery out and move it in next to the porta-potti. c) empty the 5 gal water bottle d) mount the spare trailer tire and wheel on the frame of the trailer ahead of the wheels. The further aft the weight is, the more effective moving it forward will be. Good luck. Peter H23 "Raven"
That's the quickest and most effective way to get more weight onto the trailer hitch. Take some of your stuff out of the cockpit locker and from way back there in the port quarter berth and move it into the forepeak. Here are a few more suggestions: a) If you haven't already done so, take the rudder and outboard off. I've seen people carry these on the trailer ahead of the keel. b) take the battery out and move it in next to the porta-potti. c) empty the 5 gal water bottle d) mount the spare trailer tire and wheel on the frame of the trailer ahead of the wheels. The further aft the weight is, the more effective moving it forward will be. Good luck. Peter H23 "Raven"
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Ward
move front V mount forward
The front V mount where the rubber V and winch is mounted can be moved forward by loosening 4 U bolts that clamp around the tongue. With mine forward as far as it will go, I have about 225 pounds of tongue weight. My Hunter manual says this is the recommended weight. Mine has been towed thousands of miles at highway speeds with no swaying. Mounting a spare tire on the front below the winch would help too. Peter's advice is also good. Bottom line..... You must increase your tongue weight or you are driving a dangerous outfit if it is swaying at 50 MPH. Good Luck Ward
The front V mount where the rubber V and winch is mounted can be moved forward by loosening 4 U bolts that clamp around the tongue. With mine forward as far as it will go, I have about 225 pounds of tongue weight. My Hunter manual says this is the recommended weight. Mine has been towed thousands of miles at highway speeds with no swaying. Mounting a spare tire on the front below the winch would help too. Peter's advice is also good. Bottom line..... You must increase your tongue weight or you are driving a dangerous outfit if it is swaying at 50 MPH. Good Luck Ward
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Ray Bowles
The trailer loses much of its strength with the
tongue extended. It is there to allow you to back the trailer into deeper water to launch or retrieve your boat and most definetly not for trailering down the road. The first responces are very good ideas.
tongue extended. It is there to allow you to back the trailer into deeper water to launch or retrieve your boat and most definetly not for trailering down the road. The first responces are very good ideas.
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Paul Westcott
Trailer Tongue Weight
Have you tried moving the trailer axles aft? Most boat trailers have axles that can be moved forward and aft to get proper tongue weight. I had to move the axles to the full aft position to get good performance with my H-22. I don't load it forward or do anything else, even leave the out board on the bracket for short moves.
Have you tried moving the trailer axles aft? Most boat trailers have axles that can be moved forward and aft to get proper tongue weight. I had to move the axles to the full aft position to get good performance with my H-22. I don't load it forward or do anything else, even leave the out board on the bracket for short moves.
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Ken Koons
towing
I'm also trying to figure out the happy point for towing my Hunter 240. I tow the 2800 lb 240 with a 3.0 liter Ford Ranger. The first time I towed the boat at highway speeds was very frightening. It was a situation in which the F150 I was using lost a brake line.....luckily while stopped! The truck squatted down hard and swayed like a college boy walking home at 3am on Saturday night. Throw in some bumpy roads and an extremely nervous wife and you've got the recipe for an hour and a half tow that seems like a very long day! I had heavy duty load carrier shocks put on the truck and that helped the "squatting" and bump recovery of the rig tremendously. I still get some sway at around 65 mph. I tow with the 5 hp outboard strapped to the front ladder on the trailer. I'm still seeking "equilibrium" in towing. For the next trip I'm planning to try moving more weight forward in the boat. I'm planning to add a transmission cooler to the truck as soon as possible.
I'm also trying to figure out the happy point for towing my Hunter 240. I tow the 2800 lb 240 with a 3.0 liter Ford Ranger. The first time I towed the boat at highway speeds was very frightening. It was a situation in which the F150 I was using lost a brake line.....luckily while stopped! The truck squatted down hard and swayed like a college boy walking home at 3am on Saturday night. Throw in some bumpy roads and an extremely nervous wife and you've got the recipe for an hour and a half tow that seems like a very long day! I had heavy duty load carrier shocks put on the truck and that helped the "squatting" and bump recovery of the rig tremendously. I still get some sway at around 65 mph. I tow with the 5 hp outboard strapped to the front ladder on the trailer. I'm still seeking "equilibrium" in towing. For the next trip I'm planning to try moving more weight forward in the boat. I'm planning to add a transmission cooler to the truck as soon as possible.
Towed my H23 today in tropical storm Gabrielle
I brought my H23 home today in the middle of a storm with driving rain and strong crosswinds. Total distance was about 40 miles, most of which was on the highway at speeds between 50 to 65. Before leaving the marina, I moved the rudder, outboard, fuel tank, sails, boom and inflatable dinghy into the V-berth. The boat and trailer towed like a charm. Peter H23 "Raven"
I brought my H23 home today in the middle of a storm with driving rain and strong crosswinds. Total distance was about 40 miles, most of which was on the highway at speeds between 50 to 65. Before leaving the marina, I moved the rudder, outboard, fuel tank, sails, boom and inflatable dinghy into the V-berth. The boat and trailer towed like a charm. Peter H23 "Raven"
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