Boat not loaded properly on new trailer

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ddurand

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I had my 27' boat loaded on a new trailer that I bought at another location. The marina where the boat was located loaded the boat with a TravelLift.

I am pretty sure the boat is loaded about 1 foot aft of where it should be. So the trailer tongue weight will be too low (very bad).

Can I just move the winch stand forward and use the winch to pull the 7400 lb boat forward on the bunks. Seems like a lot of stress on the bow eye.
 
Probably not if it is just bunks instead of rollers. A partial launch will reduce weight while you move the post and pull it forward. The yard tha loaded it would probably lift it for you while you make adjustments.
 
Try attaching it to the tow first and get a feel for the tongue weight. I have always felt the transom should be supported by either the rollers or the bunk. If it is not you have work to get done.
 
Rule of thumb is 10% of total weight on the hitch ball.

If no ramp available, heat to a moderate hill, head down and slam on the brakes--the boat will hopefully slide that 1 foot needed.
 
You could also block the boat, to get some weight off the trailer, and then move the trailer back - instead of moving the boat forward. Plenty of YouTube videos on how to do it - but essentially lower the tongue all the way to the ground, and put some blocks under the transom. Raise the tongue, and transom is sitting on the blocks, not the trailer. If you only have to move a foot, it’s not that hard, just gets tricky when you have to get the axles and such past the blocks. But you probably won’t have that problem.
 
The method alk described is how I take my trailer from under the Grady White when I've need to work on the trailer. To move it a foot or so would be very easy.
 
quote:
Originally posted by alk

You could also block the boat, to get some weight off the trailer, and then move the trailer back - instead of moving the boat forward. Plenty of YouTube videos on how to do it - but essentially lower the tongue all the way to the ground, and put some blocks under the transom. Raise the tongue, and transom is sitting on the blocks, not the trailer. If you only have to move a foot, it’s not that hard, just gets tricky when you have to get the axles and such past the blocks. But you probably won’t have that problem.

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+1
 
I got a tongue weight scale. I need to measure it and if off get the marina to fix it.
 
So I got a tongue weight scale and measured the tongue weight with the trailer level and it was 400 lbs. The GVW is 9000 about. LoadRite says 7% for a aluminum trailer (630) but normal rule of thumb is 10% (900).

I think I need to move the boat forward by 6 inches. But thats only a guess.
 
Do what alk said I dont think it will be hard and try your 6" estimate. Without all the correct weights and dimensions we cant calculate the actual move.
 
What are your trailering plans?

A couple inches too far back is nothing if you're not going far. Fix it next time?
 
The boat is not a 27' long bar of steel that you can calculate exactly how far to move it forward or backward.

When I first used the tongue weight scale I had the boat somewhat level and it was 500 lbs. But I found a shorter block of wood to put the scale on and get it as level as the eye can do and it was 400 lbs. I was surprised it changed by 100 lbs with just a minor correction to getting the boat level.
 
Yes the angle does make a difference so you want the weight at the actual loaded hitch level.
 
With a tandem axle trailer you want it to sit as level as possible to avoid putting too much weight on one of the axles. You want it to be even.
 
Well boat on trailer was hauled from RI to DE by a hauling company without incident. Tongue weight was around 400 lbs. and should be 630 lbs. I was told no swaying but would have been better with more tongue weight.
 
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