I would like to do more tailering. I believed that the trailer I have inadequate for my Hunter 23. After looking through the pics on this site I discovered that a lot of owners have the same trailer. I have a negative toungh weight which can cause the tailer to fishtail. I was wondering if anyone else has this problem. Also I want to know if the single axel arrangement is ok or should I install a tandem axel. Grif
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John
Tandem trailer
Yes I have had the same problem too with a single axel trailer. However, I have since bought a semi-custom trailer which works much better. I delivered the boat to the trailer shop. The shop then fabricated the supports on the trailer around the boat. Tongue weight was the shop's biggest concern. I trailered from Norfolk to San Diego without any problem
Yes I have had the same problem too with a single axel trailer. However, I have since bought a semi-custom trailer which works much better. I delivered the boat to the trailer shop. The shop then fabricated the supports on the trailer around the boat. Tongue weight was the shop's biggest concern. I trailered from Norfolk to San Diego without any problem
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Nils Anderson
Single Axle Not The Problem
Your sway will be eliminated by maintaing 12 to 15 percent of your weight weight on the tung. That's 600 pounds tung on a 4000 pound load.
Your sway will be eliminated by maintaing 12 to 15 percent of your weight weight on the tung. That's 600 pounds tung on a 4000 pound load.
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Rick Webb
Dual Axle
If you have a 4000# load you are most likely 480# over capacity on 14" wheels and a single axle.
If you have a 4000# load you are most likely 480# over capacity on 14" wheels and a single axle.
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Frank Ladd
Negative tongue weight
The Hunter 23 is supposed to weigh less than 2500 pounds. so lets try not to load more than 500 pounds of junk into the boat and lets hope the trailer weighs less than 1000 pounds. Still negative tongue weight is very dangerous and I hear a lot of folks complaining about poor trailering and sway. The key is to get all the gear out of the boat and bet it set on the trailer so you have at least ten percent of the total weight on the tongue. Then when you load the boat back up with stuff. Remember to keep the weight low and forward. If you leave the motor on the back and the a bunch of tools under the cockpit seats it is going to be a wild ride. You'll be amazed at how much better it will tow when you have the load on the forward part of the trailer. Every time someone complains about this I notice I can lift the tongue. On boats that don't sway I can't even come close to lifting it.
The Hunter 23 is supposed to weigh less than 2500 pounds. so lets try not to load more than 500 pounds of junk into the boat and lets hope the trailer weighs less than 1000 pounds. Still negative tongue weight is very dangerous and I hear a lot of folks complaining about poor trailering and sway. The key is to get all the gear out of the boat and bet it set on the trailer so you have at least ten percent of the total weight on the tongue. Then when you load the boat back up with stuff. Remember to keep the weight low and forward. If you leave the motor on the back and the a bunch of tools under the cockpit seats it is going to be a wild ride. You'll be amazed at how much better it will tow when you have the load on the forward part of the trailer. Every time someone complains about this I notice I can lift the tongue. On boats that don't sway I can't even come close to lifting it.
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Joe Baker
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Rick Webb
3520# On Single Axle
You are cutting it real close on a 2500# boat. The trailer on my 23.5 weighs about 900# the boat weighs 2000# empty I figured I had way more than 620# of stuff on the boat so I added a second axle to mine. For just around town I probably would not worry about it but for anything more than that it is worth the piece of mind.
You are cutting it real close on a 2500# boat. The trailer on my 23.5 weighs about 900# the boat weighs 2000# empty I figured I had way more than 620# of stuff on the boat so I added a second axle to mine. For just around town I probably would not worry about it but for anything more than that it is worth the piece of mind.
Two axles may not be the answer
I discussed adding a second axle to my trailer with a trailer manufacturer and was told that if I added a second axle I would also have to add brakes. As Rick pointed out, the limit per axle is 3520 lb. In Florida, a trailer under that weight is not required to have brakes as long as it is less than 40% of the GVW of the trailer and tow vehicke combined. However, even if a two-axle trailer weighs less than 3500 lb, it is considered by law as having the capacity to carry 7,000 lb and brakes are required. Some states north of here require brakes no matter the trailer weight or axle count, so I guess I'm stuck here and won't be going to the H23 Nationals any time soon. Instead of adding the axle, I took everything unnecessary off the boat and packed it in labeled plastic boxes that I keep on shelves in the garage. For each trip I select the gear I need and pack it in the truck along with the outboard. The rudder assembly rides on the trailer ahead of the axle and the spare trailer tire is bolted to the bow post. The boom and sails go in the forepeak. I also use the highest load rated bias-ply trailer tires on five-lug 15-inch steel rims. I don't trailer much, but so far it's been a breeze. Peter H23 "Raven"
I discussed adding a second axle to my trailer with a trailer manufacturer and was told that if I added a second axle I would also have to add brakes. As Rick pointed out, the limit per axle is 3520 lb. In Florida, a trailer under that weight is not required to have brakes as long as it is less than 40% of the GVW of the trailer and tow vehicke combined. However, even if a two-axle trailer weighs less than 3500 lb, it is considered by law as having the capacity to carry 7,000 lb and brakes are required. Some states north of here require brakes no matter the trailer weight or axle count, so I guess I'm stuck here and won't be going to the H23 Nationals any time soon. Instead of adding the axle, I took everything unnecessary off the boat and packed it in labeled plastic boxes that I keep on shelves in the garage. For each trip I select the gear I need and pack it in the truck along with the outboard. The rudder assembly rides on the trailer ahead of the axle and the spare trailer tire is bolted to the bow post. The boom and sails go in the forepeak. I also use the highest load rated bias-ply trailer tires on five-lug 15-inch steel rims. I don't trailer much, but so far it's been a breeze. Peter H23 "Raven"
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Crazy Dave Condon
Suggestion from a pro
You may have the KWS or Ken's Welding trailer which I referred to as the K Whopper. First move your boat up as negative tongue weight will cause it to fish tail. This will relieve allot of the fish tailing but not all. Most folks do not realize that when you raise the boat up, you raise the center of gravity too. Yes a second axle is nice but it depends on the state if it is required. In Virginia, Maryland, NC, SC and GA, you are only required to have brakes on one axle. I am surprised by the comment in Florida as many 260's are sold in Florida with brakes only on one axle. You may want to check with DMV for those living in Florida. Pennsylvania requries them on all axles. If you do not have brakes on the trailer, I strongly suggest that you get them. That axle can receive brakes on them.. You will need to take it to a trailer shop as most of the parts are not found at car parts or regular garages.. If you do not have brakes nor intend to get them, do not go over 50-55 for safety. If the trailer starts to sway, accerlate first to pull the sway out and then brake slowly. This is experience telling you as I probably have logged more mileage towing than anyone in the world on this boat. Crazy Dave Condon
You may have the KWS or Ken's Welding trailer which I referred to as the K Whopper. First move your boat up as negative tongue weight will cause it to fish tail. This will relieve allot of the fish tailing but not all. Most folks do not realize that when you raise the boat up, you raise the center of gravity too. Yes a second axle is nice but it depends on the state if it is required. In Virginia, Maryland, NC, SC and GA, you are only required to have brakes on one axle. I am surprised by the comment in Florida as many 260's are sold in Florida with brakes only on one axle. You may want to check with DMV for those living in Florida. Pennsylvania requries them on all axles. If you do not have brakes on the trailer, I strongly suggest that you get them. That axle can receive brakes on them.. You will need to take it to a trailer shop as most of the parts are not found at car parts or regular garages.. If you do not have brakes nor intend to get them, do not go over 50-55 for safety. If the trailer starts to sway, accerlate first to pull the sway out and then brake slowly. This is experience telling you as I probably have logged more mileage towing than anyone in the world on this boat. Crazy Dave Condon
Response to Crazy Dave re trailer brakes
In Florida, a two-axle trailer is only required to have brakes on one axle, not both. Peter H23 "Raven"
In Florida, a two-axle trailer is only required to have brakes on one axle, not both. Peter H23 "Raven"
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Crazy Dave Condon
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Grif Morpeth
KWS
Kens sounds very familar. It's possible I own a KWS trailer. I'll have to check the plate. You said moving the boat up raises the center of gravity. Did you mean foward, toward the tonque or actually up. My uderstanding is the Wing keel need to sit on a support. Raising the boat would leave the keel with no support. Grif
Kens sounds very familar. It's possible I own a KWS trailer. I'll have to check the plate. You said moving the boat up raises the center of gravity. Did you mean foward, toward the tonque or actually up. My uderstanding is the Wing keel need to sit on a support. Raising the boat would leave the keel with no support. Grif
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Crazy Dave Condon
grif
Just remember that you need appx 10% of the total weighht of boat and trailer on the tonggue. Yo misunderstood me on the other. I am not talking about raising the boat off the trailer. I am talking about the center of gravity with all things taken into consideration. The higher the center of gravity, the more any load can sway some and in a turn at a high speed, the load is more apt to shift sideways.
Just remember that you need appx 10% of the total weighht of boat and trailer on the tonggue. Yo misunderstood me on the other. I am not talking about raising the boat off the trailer. I am talking about the center of gravity with all things taken into consideration. The higher the center of gravity, the more any load can sway some and in a turn at a high speed, the load is more apt to shift sideways.
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