Trailering a C-Dory, Trailer only

DayBreak · Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2024 9:01 pm Post subject:

Thanks Colby. Seems to me that Bob Austin has a photo of a tongue failure on a boat trailer that speaks exactly to what you are describing. Hope Bob chimes in on this one. I agree with you that a distribution hitch is not a good idea because of the extra length of the tongue on a boat trailer.

Donald Tyson · Joined: 24 Jul 2023 Posts: 546 Photos: Thistle

Okay. I’ll bite. How does the weight distribution hitch work and why might it adversely affect a long boat trailer tongue? I love these learning sessions.

colbysmith · Posted: Fri Dec 20, 2024 11:40 am Post subject:

thataway · Posted: Fri Dec 20, 2024 11:33 pm Post subject:

The tongue failure was on a C Dory 22 with a single axle. The failure had nothing to do with weight distribution hitches. The 22 was being towed behind a 10,000 tow capacity 42' diesel pusher, RV, with air ride suspension--which keeps the RV at a fairly constant attitude, and really smooths out any bumps. On the other hand, the single axle trailer, was going up and down on I 10 in S. Miss. where there are many concrete sections. I figured that the up and down was partly to blame, with the single axle--the trailer was replaced with a 10 year old two axle trailer, which was a bit more robust. No further probelms.

I have run many thousands of miles with weight distributon hitches, and no problems with the tongue. If the trailer is set up correctly it should not cause undue stress on the tongue.

I was able to find a photo of the 22 trailer which I set up to use with the wt dist hitch. The "pole adaptor" was just in back of where the two "I" beams bolt into the tongue--the tongue is short and the load of the weight of the "chains" is applied to both the tongue and to the "I" beams on each side of the trailer. I did not find a photo with the pole tongue adaptor on the trailer.

thataway · Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2024 2:06 am Post subject:

OOPs, That was the 2003 C Dory 25, which we kept on the West Coast--Las Vegas and San Clemente. Pulled to Prince Rupert, BC., Lake Powell, other times, the Delta, Friday Harbor, etc.

colbysmith · Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2024 11:47 am Post subject:

Found these photos of Bob's trailer failure in his photo album.

I believe this is his 42' pusher motorhome with a new trailer behind it.

I'll let others decide if the WDH had anything to do with this. I will not use one on my boat trailer! Colby

thataway · Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2024 12:04 pm Post subject:

I am not sure what point Colby is making--but the broken pole tongue trailer was never associated with a weight distribution hitch. That broke because of the multiple, bumps in I 10--which I have driven cross country multiple times. The same route long before interstates was also used even in the 1950's.

The last photo he shows is the replacement for the failed single axle trailer. Note that it is a dual axle trailer, which are recommended for the 22's if doing road trips.

colbysmith · Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2024 12:10 pm Post subject:

Schuster · Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2024 1:48 pm Post subject:

Bob I can relate to how this may have happened on I-10. I towed a 21' Atlas Pompano from Ram Rod Key Florida to Washington state. I had arranged to Tom at Atlas Boat Works to purchase a tandem axle trailer and have fitted to accept the 21' and he arranged that for me. We loaded the empty (no gear inside) boat and everything was fitted correctly with good tongue weight measured at the scales. Driving across Lake Pontchartrain bridge was quite the experience. The segments of concrete to make the road were spaced just right so at speed(55-60) you'd go over high spot causing the bow of the boat to want to raise up while the truck was going into the low area causing the bow to want to slam back down. The happened in succession one right after another with no rest between and no way to avoid being there with the traffic what it was. I feel very fortunate that I didn't have the exact same thing happen to me. What a ride.
Lessons learned from this episode..... make sure you are in the outside lane of the highway to be able to slow down without major traffic disruption.

In response to Donalds original question, hauling a trailer empty is definitely annoying but doable for sure. I've hauled a car hauler trailer empty from Washington to South Dakota and it bounced around back there for sure. Set the brake controlled down in intensity so the trailer tires aren't locking up, secure any loose/moveable items to reduce affects of vibration from road wear and you're good to go. It would be helpful to have some weight back there but it may not be worth the effort to rig up something to safely carry the weight (ie sand bags strapped to the running boards or something similar). Again safety first.

Donald Tyson · Joined: 24 Jul 2023 Posts: 546 Photos: Thistle

This has been a very different and most informative conversation. One where it follows around a bit, and if it had been limited to just the original question, not as much would have been learned, thank you all.

thataway · Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2024 7:32 pm Post subject:

I wanted to check my memory about weight distribution hitches and F 150's. I believe you will find this on each of the F 150's for some period of time.

colbysmith · Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2024 11:24 pm Post subject:

Bob is correct that the F150, and I'm sure all other 1/2 ton trucks, recommend a WDH for over 5000 lbs or 500 lbs tongue weight. At 8100 lbs and 640 lbs I'm over that, and I still refuse to use a WDH on a pole tongue trailer, without extra bracing of the tongue. All I could find for reasoning on the WDH for the heavier weights, has to deal with equal distribution of weight so as not to disrupt vehicle handling. I think one also has to take into factor trailer braking, and that all specification weights, such as payload, GVWR, GCVWR, RAWR, FAWR, etc, are not exceeded. Also, with boat trailers, the recommended tongue weight is 5-7%. Running at appropriate speeds also factors in. I have towed my 25 over 41,000 miles now, with numerous trips over the Rockies. I do have an aftermarket suspension kit to help with the rear squat when the boat is hitched on. And the "rig" runs level. The F150 does a fine job towing the 25, and as long as I don't exceed 70mph, I don't feel the "tail wagging the dog".

Donald Tyson · Joined: 24 Jul 2023 Posts: 546 Photos: Thistle

Bob and Colby from what I've found, you are both mostly right. But, But, But. There is a document by Ford that States the wheelbase, Cab Style and Package. It must also corespond to the parameters you talk about. It's all very convoluted and nuanced, I beleive on purpose, to deflect the manufacturer being in a tight spot should something fail. The term "Max Tow is often used to discribe the 11,300 model. The base model is very low. Each Major Company has a "Max Tow" Model and I beleive Chevy has the highest at 12,800 +/-. The Max Tow package has a lot of extra components that the lower models don't have. My F150 has the trailer towing package and it can only tow 7800 lbs total, leaving me right on the edge of wether I should feel comfortable hauling a CD25.
A year ago I got rid of my Dream Truck...a 2013 F250 super duty. It was quite a beast and I sort of wish I still had it today.
My dealer gave me a nice ch

oops, this is the site where you can't post anything efficiently but suffice it to say I have a nice chart of the models and regs according to Ford for the F-150.

Do you all like Chevy for towing. I got away from the Super Duty Ford because with the solid front axle it rode and handled back roads so poorly. Until now whatever vehicle I had was also my cross-country sales vehicle. So the ride of the F150 won out over the Super Duty. I'm being told by loved ones that the GM trucks have independent front suspension and ride nicely even when empty.

thataway · Posted: Sun Dec 22, 2024 2:59 pm Post subject:

When I purchased my 2019 Ford 250 SuperDuty the decision was based on availability, some minor features, and diesel engine. In retrospect, I feel that I made a mistake with the diesel. Although the Diesel is best for towing--it is not best for around the town. Part of that is the particulate filter and the DEF fluid, where the engine has to run hot enough in the exhaust to burn off the soot/particulate matter. As it turned out, we were at the end of our towing boats era because of our age, and some infirmities which come with being in your late 80's. The truck was used mostly as a daily driver. It was big-and thus harder to park in malls etc. I sure appreciated that range of over 1000 miles and not having to pull in daily to refill the fuel tank, in stations which often were not designed to accommodate boats on trailers.
I often used the commercial pumps, as I did with the RV 100 gallon tank, with both side fills, which took the commercial pumps higher speed and larger nozzles easily. The truck didn't do as well as the RV on that standpoint for the built in tank. The extra 35 gallon tank did have a large fill, but you could overflow if not careful.

The towing was excellent with the 3/4Ton--no squat as I had in the 1/2 ton GMC--and used adjustable air bags because of this. Also better cooling, and more "power"...I ended up trading it in on a Ford Explorer, plus some cash back (even thought the Explorer was top of the line with all of the gadgets and great new features.

Donald, I always check the manufacture specs, and try to avoid going over weight or not having the correct setup. When we converted a 30' RV with towing capacity of 5000 lbs to tow the 25, there were a lot of factors which went into the beefing up of the hitch, the way the hitch tied into the RV frame. Bolts had to be upgraded, heavier components for part of the frame added, then the transmission, including gear ratios were changed. Rear suspension was changed.

The one issue with going over weight on the rear axle, even with upgraded suspension, is that the weight on the front axle is often decreased-and the WDH helps that. Just beefing up the rear suspension does not.

I did a lot of reading and research before deciding on using a weight distribution hitch. I wanted to be sure the braking was still adequate. It was not a decision I made lightly. It also involved talking to RV techs who work on trailer suspensions, and well as my local hitch shop.

Donald Tyson · Joined: 24 Jul 2023 Posts: 546 Photos: Thistle

Bob that is a great dialog. I really liked towing with the Superduty. It was rated for quite a bit. The brake adjustments were great. I had the 6.2 ltr Gasser and it was definitely up to the task of pulling my trailers full of logs. It really sucked on Pennsylvanias washboard road surfaces when rolling along empty.
Todays towing is very nuanced for smaller platforms.
I beleive the way Colby explained it a certain amount of weight was added to the front and I be that helps steering somewhat.
I'l be studying up on this.
I really appreciate the discussion in these matters. I have concerns and a desire to get it right.