*Supplement to above post:
All trailer manufacturers recommend 5 - 10% total weight of the boat and trailer to be put onto the tongue weight. But that's just a general rule of thumb and there are no absolutes in this game. A more accurate, scientific (and safer) formula would be that the tongue weight should be 7% - 10% of the total weight of a loaded trailer for a single axle trailer and 5%-8% for a multi axle trailer. (That's with the trailer level). As was previously mentioned, a fully loaded V with fuel, coolers, ice, gear, etc can easily weigh 4500 lbs. When I towed my boat up from Florida earlier this year with my Jeep Cherokee I had my tongue weight set at 350lbs. I towed at speeds of 65-75 mph and had zero problems. That was with an empty boat. My point is there are NO absolutes... you must test your tow vehicle/trailer set up and adjust as necessary until you find the sweet spot for your particular rig. Too little weight on the tongue will cause fishtailing.. too much will cause your tow vehicle to bounce and lose steering. Neither is a good or safe option.
__________________
1987 V20 w/1987 150HP Yamaha on a Shoreland'r Trailer
1978 16.5 Airslot w/1996 120HP Force on a Four Winns trailer
1996 V21 w/1993 200HP Mercury on a Shoreline Trailer
All towed by a 5.7L Hemi Durango.
If God didn't have a purpose for us we wouldn't be here, so
Live simply, Love generously, Care deeply, Speak kindly.
(Leave the rest to God) 
Silence, in the face of evil, is itself evil. Not to speak is to speak, not to act is to act. God will not hold us guiltless.
|