My suggestion is to take it to a dealership and ask them to look at it and get their ideas as what to do. You probably don't need to move the boat back more than 2-3 inches to make a big change in the tongue weight. The trailer appears to be a Stratos trailer so the design/lenght should be good for that boat however some trailers have axles that can be moved forward and/or backward. Normally 10-15% of the entire rig weight is what is acceptable for the hitch weight so I would guess about 150-200 lbs should be fine, maybe even a little less.

Good idea!
Dealer I bought from is in Eastland,Tx, so, will look for one a 'little closer'...can't hurt to explore their opinions. Thanks for the suggestion!
r/
Fred

Unfortunately, that's all the garden tractor (minus the deck) with a 15HP engine did! Arghhh.. Living in the country does have advantages....and some disadvantages. Road base (gravel) is not condusive to moving a fiberglass composite (heavy) boat, even on level surface - it just spun the dang tires.
Am going to try using a front end reciever on my tow vehicle (Chevrolet Silverado 1/2 ton) and go from there.
The solution offered by RonH is a good one but, expensive, at least for me at this stage.
r/
Fred

Years ago my dad had put a hitch on the front of his old f150. He had a narrow alley to manuver in with an extended cab with long bed truck so it wasn't agile at all. He could put the old boat on the gravel pad in one shot.

Sounds much like the problem I created with a drive that was existing when I bought this place. We created an 'island' for my wife's flowers in the middle, so my "backing" involved a curve around it and then straight to a new pad for the boat.
I'm hoping the front receiver will solve the problem much like for your father, especially as I'm having a carport erected to further protect the boat and now I will have to 'aim' into it as well.
r/
Fred

Lee, just noticed you live in Boyd! I had a 50 acre place about 4 miles west and south back in the 90's.
In my opinion, I'd take your rig to someone that knows what they are doing. Your tongue weight is way too heavy and I'd be concerned hauling your boat very far at all and any lake from Boyd is too far. I suspect you're getting too much trailer sway and that ain't good! Suspect there is a good trailer man in Boyd or Decatur or maybe even Azle or Springtown.
I could be wrong but, I'd definately be getting this checked out by an expert.
Good luck.

Is it possible you can set up the carport for a pull thru style?

Yeah I wondered this too but it only seems like it would have been too easy.

I'm not sure. The whole factor is welded by the movie trailer mfg'r. The transom does not come up over the forums. Wish I said that right.

Sorry about the delay....Okie...Your correct, I'm really concerned....the boat is NOT centered on the trailer...this is evident (when I bought the rig) has some stress cracks "in the gel coat". No, my mechanic assures my suspicions that they are not just in the get coat, the boat is/was stressed...! I'm looking for a good trailer shop/guy in the area....no luck yet..but, anytime the tongue weight is that heavy, you and everyone else confirms my fears - something definetly wrong!

r/
Fred

Pull through carport - No....wish I had that much room. Have the land, but many trees and much road base would be required to be removed and then added.
But, barring all that, still concerned about the set up.
r/
Fred

That has been my 'remedy'. Have added and makes a great deal of difference, especially when your ol body won't let me turn around in the drivers seat to see what's going on with the trailer....
First time, first shot! Amazing difference. But, realize not very many want yet another ball in the front of their vehicle...
But for me, it works.
r/
Fred

Stratos ANSWER????

Hello Lee,

Thank you for your email. Your inquiry was forwarded to our Customer Service staff and following is the response.

The tongue weight will range from 175 to 275 lbs for a trailer that size, depending on how it is loaded. 200 lbs would be well within the normal range.


We hope this information is helpful. If we can assist you further, please let us know.

Sincerely,

Stratos Boats

HUH? Sounds like their answer is a bunch of BS. The tongue weight is closer to 300 lbs. !!!
Think I got the 'canned answer'. Lord I hate that. If the design is not quite right.....say so.
Arghhhhhhhhh

Think am going to have the winch tower cut and base plate welded on so as to use U bolts and move it back from 3 to 6 inches...
crossing my fingers..

I think you just need to leave it alone! It's been that way ever since it was made and caused ZERO problems. If the tongue weight is indeed 10% of the total weight that's still very well in the safe range. Any single axle trailer is going to be heavy, heck I can't even budge my double axle trailer and I'm not exactly the weakest one running around. You are just asking for trouble by chopping up things and moving them around.

I'd bet three to six inches would be too much, so would you really want to have all that work done for say a half inch? Leave it as is would be the best bet IMO.

So you don't use your mirrors to back your trailer is why you had to buy a front hitch? Sounds odd and expensive.