need a longer tongue!

[evilwind1]

Hi all, new dilemma but I think it's a no brainer. I have a 21' cobia on a trailer that I believe is made for a 19'-20' boat. I am going to move the axle (new) about 10" forward after I determine the weight distribution (I believe it is about 200Lbs tongue weight). My question is how long should the receiver be from the tip of the bow. Right now I can hardly open the rear hatch door because it hits the bow. I think probably should be about 6'? How do I determine the distance I need, and, how crucial is that length?. Right now the pad on boat is hanging over about 12"-14" and I have to bring it forward even more so I know I have to bolt another tongue on. Is this safe from an engineering point of view? I know guys that have added extra tongue length so the back of their vehicle didn't have go too far into the water. Also being the trailer was further in the water the boat floated on easier. Thanks in advance for the reply. Bill on long Island.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: need a longer tongue!

I extended the tongue on an old trailer I had to make up for poor weight distribution. If you have a good welder/fabricator in the area .........look into an extension......maybe 30" but the trailer will have to be re-adjusted for tongue weight again.

I was pleased with my results.

(Formally a LI kid )

 

[Lou C]

Re: need a longer tongue!

I was able to replace my factory 7' tongue with a factory 9' one (Load Rite) and to make up for the difference in tongue weight I just slid the axle back as far as I could get it...here are some pix...not to hard of a job but the 9' tongue is a little heavy, LOL!

I also got a piece of right angle galvanized steel and fabbed up a second cross brace to further stiffen it....

 

[Silvertip]

Re: need a longer tongue!

If you have a boat that is too long for the trailer, moving the axle forward is the wrong direction as that would remove tongue weight. I take it a 21 foot boat is well over 2000 pounds so 200 pounds of tongue weight is light already. Tongue length has no bearing on anything except tongue weight. YOu can make the tongue 10 feet long if you wish, so long as the material you use is up to the task.

 

[jtmarten]

Re: need a longer tongue!

My question is how long should the receiver be from the tip of the bow. Right now I can hardly open the rear hatch door because it hits the bow. I think probably should be about 6'?

6'?? Gonna set up a tent in there? LOL
I have about 4" clearance between my barn doors and the tip of the bow when I open them up.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: need a longer tongue!

Hi all, new dilemma but I think it's a no brainer. I have a 21' cobia on a trailer that I believe is made for a 19'-20' boat. I am going to move the axle (new) about 10" forward after I determine the weight distribution (I believe it is about 200Lbs tongue weight). My question is how long should the receiver be from the tip of the bow. Right now I can hardly open the rear hatch door because it hits the bow. I think probably should be about 6'? How do I determine the distance I need, and, how crucial is that length?. Right now the pad on boat is hanging over about 12"-14" and I have to bring it forward even more so I know I have to bolt another tongue on. Is this safe from an engineering point of view? I know guys that have added extra tongue length so the back of their vehicle didn't have go too far into the water. Also being the trailer was further in the water the boat floated on easier. Thanks in advance for the reply. Bill on long Island.

Why not look into moving the boat back on the trailer? Where is the transom in relation to the end of the bunks and bunk suports and the end of the trailer frame?
You might get by with longer bunks and moving the axle back in order to re-gain the proper tongue weight.

 

[gunner1]

Re: need a longer tongue!

That's what SHE said!!!!!

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: need a longer tongue!

That's what SHE said!!!!!

I knew that was coming before i clicked on this thread....