Helpful advise on leveling tow vehicle and boat.

[Pro Build]

My new boat makes my truck squat more than my last boat. Should I adjust the boat to lessen the weight or add air bags. First picture is of 212 Limited S and second picture is of new boat.

 

[BigAbe75]

https://jetboaters.net/threads/newer-24ft-boat-in-shorlander-trailer-must-do-mod.17931/

General consensus seems to be to scoot the boat back a few inches.

There’s also a thread about a “traveling tongue scale” where you can get on the mailing list to try it out. And several threads on other methods for checking tongue weight.

 

[Pro Build]

Thanks for that reference, I'm thinking now I will open the tailgate of my truck and load weighted items right above the hitch ball and see how much weight it takes to squat my truck to the precise height it is when boat is connected and also see how much weight the truck will handle without squatting past level stance. I guess I can bump the boat back an inch at a time to get it leveled out. I don't like the boat to hang over the back of the bunks as the vertical wall of the stern offers more support than hull during transport. Probably seems like too much thinking out loud.

 

[Bransc1986]

I just installed air lift air bags in my 2011 f150. Pretty basic install if you’re handy. Took a couple hours but that’s because March madness kept sidetracking me. Lol. They were $330 on amazon.

 

[Pro Build]

I just installed air lift air bags in my 2011 f150. Pretty basic install if you’re handy. Took a couple hours but that’s because March madness kept sidetracking me. Lol. They were $330 on amazon.

Thanks for the info, I don't mind installing air bags, as I do tow four different trailers with my "soft riding truck", but if the boat set can be easily adjusted. I'd rather do that.

 

[bronze_10]

I installed airbags on my 05 durango when I was using that to pull the boat... night and day different. The Durango didnt sqwat much but enough people were blinking thier high beams at me at night. Air bags and the entire towing experience was much better.

 

[Mainah]

Thanks for that reference, I'm thinking now I will open the tailgate of my truck and load weighted items right above the hitch ball and see how much weight it takes to squat my truck to the precise height it is when boat is connected and also see how much weight the truck will handle without squatting past level stance. I guess I can bump the boat back an inch at a time to get it leveled out. I don't like the boat to hang over the back of the bunks as the vertical wall of the stern offers more support than hull during transport. Probably seems like too much thinking out loud.

The trailer axle carriage is moveable if not enough bunk to get the correct tounge weight.

The bag suggestion is a good one with 4 trailers. Makes a big difference.

 

[Jack Long]

Air bags and move the bow stop.

 

[dadofral]

3/4 ton Silverado. Done.

 

[fireslayin]

I have a 2018 f15 and installed sumosprings...no sag at all on my ar210.

 

[Pro Build]

I'll have to look that up. Never heard of sumosprings.

 

[the MfM]

Pay attention to the rear axle weight rating. It’s pretty easy to exceed that # with a crew cab 1/2 ton.

The air bags will make it ride level but won’t move much weight off the rear axle.

 

[Pro Build]

I just looked it up and the payload capacity is 3270 pounds. That's 3 times more than any hitch weight that should ever be connected. But I understand your advice, people do tend to overload.

 

[the MfM]

I just looked it up and the payload capacity is 3270 pounds. That's 3 times more than any hitch weight that should ever be connected. But I understand your advice, people do tend to overload.

The payload is different then the RAWR. It should be on a sticker on the inside of the door jamb on the driver side.

Usually 1/2 tons are in the 4000+- pound RAWR neighborhood. But I’d guess your truck empty weighs 5000+-. Which would mean you could put 1500+- pounds of cargo/passenger/hitch weight on the rear axle before exceeding the rating.


Obviously I’m guessing at those numbers but it’s something to keep in mind.... a friend of mine went to the local pit to get some sand for his kids sandbox. Got stopped and weighed. Wasn’t cheap. So now I’m much more careful about weight ratings.

 

[Pro Build]

The payload is different then the RAWR. It should be on a sticker on the inside of the door jamb on the driver side.

Usually 1/2 tons are in the 4000+- pound RAWR neighborhood. But I’d guess your truck empty weighs 5000+-. Which would mean you could put 1500+- pounds of cargo/passenger/hitch weight on the rear axle before exceeding the rating.


Obviously I’m guessing at those numbers but it’s something to keep in mind.... a friend of mine went to the local pit to get some sand for his kids sandbox. Got stopped and weighed. Wasn’t cheap. So now I’m much more careful about weight ratings.

Thanks for the info, I will take a look.

 

[Dwrat]

Move your bow stop back a couple of inches.