What trailer length

[alloffroad]

I own a 12 foot aluminum boat but i don't have a boat trailer. I always use my utility trailer to haul it the the lake. I found a boat trailer locally for $100 but i don't know if it will accommodate my boat. What is the ideal length the trailer should be including tungue? I have never owned a boat trailer so I'm not even sure there is an "ideal" length trailer. Thank you for any information.

 

[jitterbug127]

Opinions will vary on this. I like a trailer to be about 2-3 feet longer than the boat. Tongue weight and width between the fenders are also deciding factors. You want enough tongue to be able to keep you winch post, spare tire and be able to back up trailer fully without boat coming in contact with back of car. 12 foot boat id look for a 14-15 foot trailer from back of boat to coupler.

 

[roscoe]

I prefer longer.
Allows me to open the rear hatch door on the van or suv without it hitting the winch stand.

"Legally" you can have 4' of space between the coupler and the winch.

 

[dingbat]

"Legally" you can have 4' of space between the coupler and the winch.

Never heard of such a thing. Is that a State Law?
Mine has to be pushing 6’

 

[roscoe]

Its been discussed here a time or two.

Ah, here is the thread. I guess it is 5', not 4'.

Maximum trailer tongue length?

Re: Maximum trailer tongue length? Now that makes perfect sense and understandable, Smoke. :) So it must be wrong. :eek:

forums.iboats.com

Post #30 lays it out.

Fed Highway reg, limits tongue length in front of the forward most cargo carrying point. The winch post is that point, measured forward to the rear edge of the coupler.

I doubt it is enforced much.

I have a flat bed trailer that was made with an 8' tongue.
Allowed me to move the two canoes forward to prevent excess overhang to the rear. Also makes it a little easier to back the trailer.

 

[cyclops222]

So if you tow a EMPTY TRAILER with NO winch ? You will be executed at sunrise ?

 

[dingbat]

Its been discussed here a time or two.

Ah, here is the thread. I guess it is 5', not 4'.

Maximum trailer tongue length?

Re: Maximum trailer tongue length? Now that makes perfect sense and understandable, Smoke. :) So it must be wrong. :eek:

forums.iboats.com

Post #30 lays it out.

Fed Highway reg, limits tongue length in front of the forward most cargo carrying point. The winch post is that point, measured forward to the rear edge of the coupler.

Post #30 is from someone who works/worked for a trailer manufacturer at one time or another

i work for a trailer manufacturer. so i did some research concerning this.. and MAXIMUM tongue length IS 5 feet. BUT BUT. here is the catch 22.. copied directly from the NATM (national association of trailer manufacturers) which governs the building of legal trailers.

It's interesting in the first page of the NATM manual mention above contradicts his statement on the governing body.

"This information document or Guidelines merely highlights the major requirements for manufacturers; each manufacturer should consult the specific statutes, regulations, and standards to determine its responsibilities. All references below to NHTSA regulations are found in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Parts 300-999. This Guidelines also refers to the mandatory Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSSs), which are found at 49 CFR Part 571"

Searched NATM doc..... no mention of tongue length in documenation.

Searched NHTSA and FMVSS...only mention was spacing between vehicle and trailer can't exceed 15 ft.

SAE states that tongue must be of adaquote design and strength for the application.

I would imagine that "max. tongue length" is guided more by practicality than law