Correct Tongue Length

[Okie556]

New to the forum and new owner of pontoon boat. (Had bass boats before.) The pontoon is a nice little 18' Bass Buggy but we had to purchase a new trailer. Nice trailer but buy the time I got the pontoons to end of the bunks and the front wrench/stop bunk adjusted properly, I have 4' of tongue lenght before the trailer starts to "V" out to the bunks. I contacted manufacture and complained and they offered to burn off coupler and cut 24" of the tongue length. Only draw back back is the $100 + dollars I'll spend on gasoline getting it to the manufacture. Their story was the 4' tongue would prevent jack knifing boat pontoon in towing vehicle. I've been pulling travel trailers and bass boats for 30+ years so not concerned with that. Does any one know if there is a standard tongue length for pontoon trailers??

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Correct Tongue Length

While I cant speak to the trailer manufacture, The tongue length really wont hurt anything. In fact the longer the trailer the easier it is to back up, and the more stable it will tow.
So whats the down side,,, cant really think of one.
If it to long when stored, get a folding kit and install it.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Correct Tongue Length

Yeah I'd say BONUS on the extra length! Don't cut it, it will handle SO much easier backing! Especially with a toon when you can't see what's happening in the first place. I'ts certainly not hurting anything.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Correct Tongue Length

I absolutely agree, more tongue means a very stable towing trailer, instead of spending $100 in gas buy the tongue hinge kit, in fact you can buy the hinge kit and cut a foot off the trailer yourself if thats what you want but I wouldn't cut anything off the tongue, if you forgive the innuendo I'm not sure you can have too much tongue!

 

[Bob's Garage]

Re: Correct Tongue Length

I agree with the others. I have towed both long and short tongue trailers and I consider myself a proficient operator of a towed load.

Of all the trailers I have owned and towed the only ones I would gladly melt down to their scrap content are the short tongue trailers. If you add the driver's inability to see the trailer when backing, because it is empty and below the view of the tow vehicle mirrors, it becomes a nightmare.

You then have to be able to back a trailer using the reference of what you can not see, to know you are backing correctly.

And a short tongue reacts immediately to your changes in the steering wheel position.

Don't shorten it, you will be forever sorry.

 

[109jb]

Re: Correct Tongue Length

Having a long tongue, especially on a pontoon, would be the best. The pontoon sits up higher off the ground so the trailer has to go farther down the ramp to float the boat off. The longer tongue means you can put the trailer in farther without putting the tow vehicle in the water. As far as I'm concerned, the longer the better. This of course assumees that the trailer is a bunk trailer and not a scissor typr pontoon trailer.

I'd leave it as long as possible.

 

[marlboro180]

Re: Correct Tongue Length

So, what is your tongue weight currently? If you go chopping off the tongue, it will change...

You want 7-15% of total trailered weight on the tongue....

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Correct Tongue Length

There is ONE drawback to a longer tongue. If you have a steep ramp that has a sharp transition from level ground to angled ramp, its possible to have the tongue hit the ground. There is one ramp in my area I avoid if at all possible with my pontoon for this very reason. A shorter tongue trailer has no issues on the ramp.

 

[Silver Eagle]

Re: Correct Tongue Length

New to the forum and new owner of pontoon boat. (Had bass boats before.) The pontoon is a nice little 18' Bass Buggy but we had to purchase a new trailer. Nice trailer but buy the time I got the pontoons to end of the bunks and the front wrench/stop bunk adjusted properly, I have 4' of tongue lenght before the trailer starts to "V" out to the bunks. I contacted manufacture and complained and they offered to burn off coupler and cut 24" of the tongue length. Only draw back back is the $100 + dollars I'll spend on gasoline getting it to the manufacture. Their story was the 4' tongue would prevent jack knifing boat pontoon in towing vehicle. I've been pulling travel trailers and bass boats for 30+ years so not concerned with that. Does any one know if there is a standard tongue length for pontoon trailers??

Leave the tongue alone. Hook up your trailer to to your truck. Then slowly make a sharp turn. If your truck clears the end the front end of your toons your ok. If not, Be very careful when making turns going in and out of ramps. There's a difference between A V bottom boat and a Pontoon boat when towing especially when backing up If your pontoon hits the side of your truck it could cost you at least $1,000 for repairs and that's only to your truck. I've seen this happen.

 

[KeyWestBoater]

Re: Correct Tongue Length

I had 2 feet ADDED to my tongue by a local trailer builder because I thought the boat was too close to my tow vehicle plus I was having to back in the water too much. It's true, it handles better, easier to back up and don't have to back in so far!

Thanks,
KWB

 

[Okie556]

Re: Correct Tongue Length

I absolutely agree, more tongue means a very stable towing trailer, instead of spending $100 in gas buy the tongue hinge kit, in fact you can buy the hinge kit and cut a foot off the trailer yourself if thats what you want but I wouldn't cut anything off the tongue, if you forgive the innuendo I'm not sure you can have too much tongue!

Thanks for all the info! Guess the majority is with not cutting the tongue. It does tow and back great now and the only real issue is lack of space while storing. Where can I find the tongue hinge kit? This seems like the way to go. Thanks again.

 

[Shrike]

Re: Correct Tongue Length

iboats sells hinge kits

 

[timdan94]

Re: Correct Tongue Length

Thanks for all the info! Guess the majority is with not cutting the tongue. It does tow and back great now and the only real issue is lack of space while storing. Where can I find the tongue hinge kit? This seems like the way to go. Thanks again.

right here on Iboats
http://www.iboats.com/Fulton-34-Bol...6647014--**********.597322307--view_id.341674

 

[Okie556]

Re: Correct Tongue Length

right here on Iboats
http://www.iboats.com/Fulton-34-Bol...6647014--**********.597322307--view_id.341674

Thanks every one. Will tow a few more times and then decide if hinge kit is needed or just leave as is!

 

[Lou C]

Re: Correct Tongue Length

As long as you can get the tongue weight correct and there is not an issue with storage I'd leave the longer tongue, it will tow and back up better and let you keep your truck tires out of the water on the ramp. I replaced a 7' tongue with a 9' one on my Load Rite and it tows much better than before...

 

[Silver Eagle]

Re: Correct Tongue Length

I've been shopping around to find someone who had a longer tongue on a bunk trailer. This may be the answer. I never thought of a brake away. This way I could add to my length .I'm planning on putting a new Disc brake system on this winter so I can add this on then.

 

[Grumman59]

Re: Correct Tongue Length

Like others, I've needed to lengthen the tongues of two boat trailers so I could open the rear door of my vehicle with the trailer attached.

Maybe you can move the axle in order to bring the boat into a better position as long as you can keep the tongue weight right.

 

[Lou C]

Re: Correct Tongue Length

check this out Grumman....the original sign from the Grumman Stuart Avenue facility in Bethpage Long Island....