Trailer Tongue Extension

So i just scored a deal with a practically new 4x8 trailer. Planning on extending the tongue so I can place a Hobie AI on it for easy ON/OFF for local waters. Please let me know if this is a bad idea.

Wanted to get opinions and help as I don't have experience with this stuff... i know that 10% of TOTAL weight should be forward towards the ball hinge. With the AI's current resting spot, it is pretty much reversed that. So I'm thinking extending the tongue would help in 2 ways... 1: proper weight distribution and 2: more clearance on the rear.

I'll upload how the AI currently sits in the next post.

Your $0.02 is wanted and appreciated.

//ed

 

here you go.

-ed

here you go.

-ed

Longer trailers are easier to backup and a great safety feature from having the a$$ end of your yak hanging out there for all to rear-end.  Not to mention the added support under the kayak.

here you go.

-ed

Longer trailers are easier to backup and a great safety feature from having the a$$ end of your yak hanging out there for all to rear-end.  Not to mention the added support under the kayak.

Agreed, with such a light load the tongue weight isn't as important as with heavier trailers,  you do want some weight on the hitch though and with that setup even more than 10% would be fine.   

More importantly make sure the tongue extension is done right so that it doesn't become a weak link in your setup.

The extended tongue definitely makes backing easier as well as providing clearance for an AI.  I was just in the process of packing for next week's Ocean Cove event so I took a few photos to show how I modified a Harbor Freight 4x8 trailer to accommodate an Outback and an AI.

here you go.

-ed

Longer trailers are easier to backup and a great safety feature from having the a$$ end of your yak hanging out there for all to rear-end.  Not to mention the added support under the kayak.

Agreed, with such a light load the tongue weight isn't as important as with heavier trailers,  you do want some weight on the hitch though and with that setup even more than 10% would be fine.   

More importantly make sure the tongue extension is done right so that it doesn't become a weak link in your setup.

To me, in the case of this setup (since I too have a H.F. style trailer for other use [non-kayak carrier]), THE MOST IMPORTANT reason to look at extended the tongue is to add more weight forward on the trailer.  It looks like more than 50% of the weight is behind the axle which will cause serious trailer "whip" and can ultimately cause an accident.  I just towed a trailer I loaned to someone.  They loaded it such that it was nearly balanced when attached to the truck and anything above 40mph on the freeway & it started whipping 1-2' to each side.  I had to go buy sacs of concrete to weigh down the front of the trailer to continue the haul.  Last thing & I'll get off my soapbox ... horizontal.  You want the trailer tongue to be horizontal when towing so make sure you have the right ball height (achieved by changing out the drop height accordingly).  These are a few of the KEY steps to proper trailer setup & trailering.  Don't want to see you get in an accident.

 Bill

yep, trailer whip is what you have now. You must get the weight forward or you are not gonna be happy when it suddenly starts to whip and you cant make it stop.