Where to Place Axle on a Custom Built Pontoon Boat Trailer

Question:

Building a trailer to haul my pontoon, the frame with out hitch pole is 14foot x 6-4inch 76 and weight of frame minus tongue is 600 lbs, the axle is #3500. Thank you

asked by: James G

Expert Reply:

When it comes to placing an axle on a trailer there is no set place for it to go, however the help article I have attached can really help you out in determining where the best place is on your trailer. A good starting point is having 60% of the trailer in front of the axle and 40% behind (include the tongue with this starting point) but because most of the weight of your boat will be at the rear due to the motor, you will most likely want to move it further back on the trailer in order to get your tongue weight in the correct range of 10-15% of the total trailer weight. Throughout the process be sure in your calculations that you are including the weight of your boat for your total trailer weight since most of the time spent towing will be with the boat loaded.

For mounting the axle you will want an axle hanger kit if you do not already have one which you can get with part # APS4

Along with the help article I attached a video review of the hanger kit!

expert reply by: Colin H