Can Weight Distribution be Used on Aluminum Boat Trailer with 2013 Infiniti QX56
Question:
Background: Tow Vehicle - 2013 Infiniti QX-56. Boat - 2004 Sea Ray 270 Sundeck which is 27foot long and weighs a little less than 7000lbs dry with accessories. Trailer - Yacht Club Tandem Axle Aluminum Trailer. Trailer structure is made of 2 main I-Beams running down each side. They are bent near the front and come together near where the bow rests. They are attached to the trailer tongue which extends approximately 3foot forward. Trailer has a 2 5/16 coupler with hydraulic surge brakes. I do not know the exact tongue weight but assume it to be in the 750foot range. Question: When we load up for vacation each year, luggage in tow vehicle and boat connected, the Air-Ride suspension can not maintain a level ride. We believe we have over loaded the tongue rating of the vehicle. I believe that this problem could be solved by incorporating a weight distribution hitch. However, I have not been able to find one that is designed to work with I-Beams on the trailer OR is set up for a single tongue. When I trailer the boat without all of our vacation luggage, it does fine/ not much sag so I assume we are close to the max tongue weight then. Trailer always trails perfect and sway is never a problem. Probably due to it being so long. I am attaching a picture of the tongue. You can just barely see the I-Beams on the right of the photo where they connect to the tongue. I am attaching a second picture which shows the I-beams and basically how it attaches to the tongue. Sorry, no picture showing everything together...
asked by: Rob W
Expert Reply:
So there are a couple of things to look at for your situation. First, boat trailer tongue weights are often lower than travel trailers or utility trailers of the same gross weight. This is because the motors at the backs of boats are the heavy and lower the weight at the front. Typically tongue weight is 10 to 15 percent of the gross trailer weight. But on a boat trailer it can be less.
Also, if you have cargo loaded behind the rear axle of your Infiniti QX56 that can make the tongue weight higher because cargo behind the rear axle gets counted towards the tongue weight when choosing weight distribution.
Boat trailers also usually have pole tongues which is sort of how your trailer is set up though there isn't a lot of space available on your trailer's tongue. Because of this tongue boat trailers would have to use a pole tongue adapter, # RP3280 (as long as the gross trailer weight is less than 7,500 pounds and the total tongue weight of the trailer, including anything loaded behind the rear axle of the tow vehicle, is less than 750 pounds) or # RP58393 (14,000/1,400 pounds).
You will also need to check the vehicle owners manual for its capacity as well as a sticker on the hitch, if present, to determine if both the hitch and vehicle are rated high for the total tongue weight.
Also, on aluminum boat trailers, the trailer manufacturer may not approve of the use of weight distribution so you would need to call and ask if it is permissible on your model.
If you can use weight distribution then you would have to use one of the pole tongue adapters and for them to fit you would likely have to relocate the jack. Then, if you used the first pole tongue adapter, # RP3280, you could use Pro Series weight distribution system # PS49582 rated for up to 750 pounds tongue weight. You would just need to add ball # 19286.
If you need to go with the higher capacity adapter, # RP58393, you can use a higher capacity system as needed such as # 49587 rated for up to 1,200 pounds tongue weight. You would need to add ball # 19286 to this system as well.
I have included some links on weight distribution and determining tongue weight for you to view.
Products Referenced in This Question
2-5/16" Hitch Ball - 1-1/4" Diameter x 2-3/4" Long Shank - Chrome - 12,000 lbs
- Trailer Hitch Ball
- Trailer Hitch Ball
- Standard Ball
- Chrome-Plated Steel
- 2-5/16 Inch Diameter Ball
- 2-3/4 Inch Shank Length
- 1-1/4 Inch Diameter Shank
- 12000 lbs GTW
- Class IV
- Class V
- Draw-Tite
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Reese Pole-Tongue Adapter for Weight Distribution Systems - 14,000 lbs GTW, 1,400 lbs TW
- Accessories and Parts
- Weight Distribution Hitch
- Adapters
- Pole Tongue Adapters
- Reese
more information >
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