Trailer Tongue

[fshrman-r72]

I recently bought a 16 ft boat on a Continental Trailer. The Trailer seems longer than I am used to and is hard to back up straight. I notice the trailer wheels are set back further and the Tongue seems longer than what I have been used too.

I would appreciate any ideas or comments you may have.

[Knutson21]

The longer the trailer the easier it is to back up.

[Ndstallmann]

The longer the tongue the better it trails, the easier to back up. The only problem I see is possibly the weight on your vehicle, from the picture your vehicle appears to to be fine.

[Hot Runr Guy]

Is that one of their aluminum I-beam "skiff" trailers?

http://www.continentaltrailers.com/aluminum-skiff.htm

HRG

[fshrman-r72]

Hot Runner Guy

My trailer actually looks like the skiff in the link you sent in your response. Are you familiar with these?

[bobo4030]

I mentioned this same issue on my last boat trailer to Pooch. He offered to cut a section out of the tongue. He's pretty handy, but I declined. It really was a non-issue.

[Hot Runr Guy]

Originally Posted by fshrman-r72

Hot Runner Guy

My trailer actually looks like the skiff in the link you sent in your response. Are you familiar with these?

A skiff is just a light hull that is normally used to get from shore to your cruiser or sailboat moored within a harbor. Like others have mentioned, with the axle so far back (like a semi-trailer) it should be easy to tow, but could have a higher than normal tongue weight.

As far as a long tongue, it looks like it could be shortened if you wanted to, with a sawzall and re-drilling the coupler mounting holes. Not sure how the axle is mounted, if it could easily be loosened and slid forward?

Doesn't look like a bad trailer, just a little different than what we normally see in the Midwest.

HRG

[gdi]

Can't tell what your driving, do you have electric power steering? If your over turning when backing up you may need to start to turn back sooner. Do not over correct when backing up. Also I have been told that they can adjust this type of steering so it does not turn as fast. Not sure if this is the problem or not.

[fishin10]

Looks like your set up will be OK. With the axle back and the longer tongue, you should be able to load and unload with out getting your feet wet. The rig looks like it should tow nice.

[REW]

FS,
With the length of that tongue, you should have 0 issues in backing up.

As others have said, the longer the tongue, the easier it is to back up.

However, do yourself a favor.

Go to a location where you can weigh your tow vehicle and weigh your trailer.

Also, pull onto the scale and stop so that only the trailer jack is on the scale. Disconnect the trailer from the tow vehicle and drive off the scale.

Then, find the weight of the tongue on the ball of your hitch.

Generally speaking you want to have 7-10% of the total towed weight be on the ball of your hitch.

If you find that your hitch weight is too heavy, then you should be using a different trailer or have the wheels moved ahead on the trailer.

Take care