[10.90streetcar]

Purchased this truck (04 Big Tow 4x4) to pull my boat with one week ago. Today was the first time I had a chance to hook the boat up and give it a test pull. I pulled to the ramp just a few miles from the house. Launched the boat and pulled it back out with no issues. Did not have to use four-wheel drive. I'm not sure of the tongue weight but it definitely sagged the *** end of the truck. My question is what would be the best solution to not have the truck sag so much? Air bags, different springs or shocks?

 

[4mula1fan]

Dang, that's a lot of boat. They have the engine over the trailer wheels and everything else on the tongue. I think a trip to the scales at a local truck stop is in order.

 

[4mula1fan]

Does that have surge brakes on the trailer?

 

[10.90streetcar]

Does that have surge brakes on the trailer?

Yes

 

[4mula1fan]

If the weight isn't over the limit, a good set of airbags will be a great help. They added a lot of stability to my truck. I'm afraid that the tongue weight is gonna be very high on that setup.

 

[10.90streetcar]

I doubt that the tounge weight is over 1000 pounds.
But I just don't know.
Total weight should be around 7000 lbs

 

[10.90streetcar]

So I just checked my tounge weight using a bathroom scale and this method. And I'm right at 1000 lbs.

 

[all torque]

Helper springs helped mine from sagging and got rid of some axle wrap I had going on.

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

 

[HRTKD]

Rated tongue weight is no more than 940 lbs, assuming you have the tow package and other options.

I towed my 11K RV trailer with a tongue weight close to 1,000 lbs and I broke the leaf spring bracket that is attached to the frame. The leaf spring shackle was also damaged.

Air bags might help, but you're still over the rating. The hitch is rated for 940 lbs only when used with a weight distributing hitch.

 

[10.90streetcar]

I may be able to move the boat back about 3 or 4 inches. Not sure how much that will help. Hitch is rated at 10,000/1,000
Truck has Big Tow

 

[HRTKD]

I may be able to move the boat back about 3 or 4 inches. Not sure how much that will help. Hitch is rated at 10,000/1,000
Truck has Big Tow

It's rated for that only when using a WDH. At least, that's how my '07 was labeled.

 

[10.90streetcar]

It's rated for that only when using a WDH. At least, that's how my '07 was labeled.

Yes,
That is correct.
Going to look st getting one.

 

[10.90streetcar]

After looking around and doing some research. It looks like I'll have to invest about $800 for what I'll need to make a WDH work with my boat trailer.
So I think I can move the boat back enough to get the tounge weight down around 700 lbs and go the air bag route.

 

[HRTKD]

Air bags will help with the squat caused by the high tongue weight. But they don't do anything for getting weight transferred back to the front axle.

 

[10.90streetcar]

Moved the boat back almost 2'.
Tounge weight is down to 600 lbs.
Which I'm guessing is at about 9% of the total boat and trailer weight (7000lb est).
Truck sits nice and level now.

 

[dkmura]

You used a bathroom scale to determine what your tongue weight is?

 

[10.90streetcar]

You used a bathroom scale to determine what your tongue weight is?

Probably way more accurate than your local truck scale.

 

[dkmura]

There are tongue scales that are more accurate. Here's what I carry and use for my Titan:

Amazon.com: Sherline LM 2000 - Trailer Tongue Weight Scale 2000lb: Home Improvement

Buy Sherline LM 2000 - Trailer Tongue Weight Scale 2000lb: Automotive - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[4mula1fan]

I'd be real leary of a steep boat ramp. A boat that big and heavy could drag you right down in the water with it.

 

[4mula1fan]

I'd also like more info on the 10.90 streetcar...