What Is The Best Trailer Valet For Moving A Boat Trailer Over Grass

Question:

Hello, I have a fiberglass bass boat that weighs approx. 3250# that I need to be able to move along the side of my house through grass and then cut back into the yard to move it into my storage building. Trailer Valets website recommends against using the TVXL25 for boat trailers under 5,000# due to the generally lower tongue weight, which I suspect would cause slipping with the lower static friction between the tire and the contact surface. Do you have any experience with moving a boat across grass with a lower tongue weight compared to cargo or travel trailers. This appears to be just what I need, but I am concerned I will be spinning the wheels once I get onto grass. I back the trailer over my driveway and onto the side of the house with my truck, then unhook and move it the rest of the way with the dolly on the grass.

asked by: Marcus D

Expert Reply:

I contacted Trailer Valet on your behalf and you are right to question if the Trailer Valet XL Trailer Dolly # TVXL25 will work here. With a towing weight of 3,250 lbs, the Trailer Valet 5X Swivel Jack and Trailer Mover # STC-V211 is preferred. The 5X comes with a mounting bracket to be attached on the side of your frame. With a heavy motor on the back of the boat, your trailer weight is not distributed evenly, and results in losing tongue weight. The mounting bracket gives you the option to mount the valet closer to the boat to get added tongue weight. In addition, adding some weight at the front of your boat could help add tongue weight.

Moving over hard packed grass should be fine but using plywood underneath the tires for better traction would make it easier. If you're moving on loose grass, or soft surfaces, your wheels will definitely be spinning.

expert reply by: Patrick R