typhoon trailer question

[rmial]

Hello, I've recently purchased a new custom built trailer for my Typhoon (from Northlander in Machiasport, ME) and after measuring the 4 bunks (10" square pads) have realized that they are positioned such that the back of the cabin will have to be a minimum of 18" in front of the trailer axle, thus bringing the center of balance about 30" forward of the axle. Other posts indicate that the best weight distribution would have the cabin align with the axle. Anyone have any opinions for how much of a problem this will be for me? She is only being trailered a few hundred feet. If I move her back on the trailer the bunks will be too far apart as the bow narrows considerably (presently the bunks are about 34" apart center to center. The keel support is a long plank, so that is not an issue. Thanks.

[Bob B]

The most important items are tongue weight and that you have at least a little weight on the tongue end of the trailer. Check your car's maual for the tongue weight allowed and get a set of scales and see what you are look at with your trailer and boat position.
I don't know if your trailer was made that way but some have adjustments that can be made in the bow stop, bunks and such. You can just move them back and forth until you find what works.


Bob B.
Typhoon, Liberty
Lancaster, SC

[rmial]

Well, I was hoping to get a tongue weight estimate from someone who has a similar setup. My maximum allowable tongue weight for my truck is about 500 pounds. I would prefer to not wait until she is on the trailer to figure out whether I am over that or not.

[Oswego John]

Hi Rmial,

You can use a bathrom scale to measure your tongue weight.

www.etrailer.com/faq-weightdistribution.aspx

Click on "Common Weight Distribution". Scroll down to the diagrams A and B

Use diagram "B"

Good luck,
O J

[Oswego John]

Hi again,

Here are some hypothetical figures to consider.

Your hull, spars, sails weigh about 1950 lbs. Add to that an abiitrary weight for anchor, fenders, rope line, etc of 100 lbs. Guessing, maybe your trailer might weigh 750 lbs more or less. Added together, the sum of the weights equal approximately 2800 pounds.

The suggested tongue weight should be somewhere between 9% and 15% of the GROSS weight of the boat and the trailer.

Working with a medium percentage, 12%, of the given parameters, the tongue weight would work out to be about 336 pounds. Using a percentile of 10%, the tongue might be about 280 pounds.

My Ty, sitting on a trailer, with no anchor, tools or other equipment, having some water in the bilge, has a tongue weight a little less than 300 pounds.

I hope that this info will be of some help to you. Good luck.
O J