4 questions in one thread

[Campylobacter]

First question: I have read in many threads that you should not trust the manufacturers advertised weight and that the best thing to do is weigh your rig if you are not sure. How would one go about this? Can you use the highway scales used to weigh OTR trucks?

Second question: Based on manufacturers advertised weight (which I know might not be accurate), I am guessing my rig weighs ~3500 lbs total. I do not have brakes on my trailer and so am pretty sure I am illegal in my state (NC). Am I reading the information in the above threads regarding weight correctly? There seems to be some ambiguity.

Third question: How easy is it to add brakes to a trailer (single axle) and can a fairly handy shade tree mechanic do it themselves?

Fourth question: Is it ethical or legal for a boat dealer to sell a noob like myself a boat/motor/trailer combination that is not road legal the second they drive it off the lot and onto a state road? I have to believe they know they are doing this, and I was not given a bit of warning.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 4 questions in one thread

Ayuh,...

One,.. About any landfill or quarry will have a platform scale,....Truckstops usually do as well...
But,....
The 1s on the side of the interstates are Not for public use.....

Two,... If you're Guessing,.... I'm thinkin' you're probably Closer to 4000lbs. rolling down the road.....
And,.... You may well be Illegal......

Three,... If the axle already has a little square plate mounted just behind the Wheel,.....
Ayuh,..... It's a piece of Cake.....
If Not,.... You have to replace the Whole Axle Assembley......

Four,... Legal,..??..?? They probably hide behind the Manufacturer's Stated Weights.....
Ethical,..??..??

 

[gstanton]

Re: 4 questions in one thread

I can only help with #1... I called over to our local landfill and explained what I needed. They suggested a time that was slow and said to come on over. They weighed both the tow vehicle and Boat (on trailer) and then sent me off to the side to drop the boat and trailer and then weigh just the tow vehicle. Gave me a print out and "No charge!

By the way, that explained why I was blowing tires!

 

[Campylobacter]

Re: 4 questions in one thread

Thanks for the fast response.

So Bond-O, I took a look at my axle, and there is a plate but maybe not the kind I'm looking for. I will attach a pic, please let me know if this is what I am looking for (I guess I have 5 questions)

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 4 questions in one thread

There is no "standard" brake mounting plate but the swing arm (that's the arm the arm the wheel and spindle are attached to) has a round area with what appears to be about 5 holes in it. Thats where the brake assembly would bolt to. Since it's not a standard 4-hole system, you need brake asemblies with the number of holes that matches the swing arm. You also need new hubs, brake lines, and a surge brake coupler. That sounds like lots of parts and in a way it is but its basically simple to install and plumb.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 4 questions in one thread

Ayuh,.....

It appears to me that you can use what looks like a 6 bolt flange in the casting.....

I've never seen that 1 before, Usually it's a 4 bolt welded square flange.....

Your's looks aluminum..... Damn near All aluminum......

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 4 questions in one thread

good tutorial here on brakes, and other trailer matters
"http://www.championtrailers.com/techsup.html"

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 4 questions in one thread

you have a very bad state, looks like no law on brakes pulled by cars.

http://www.towingworld.com/articles/TowingLaws.htm

 

[Campylobacter]

Re: 4 questions in one thread

Tashasdaddy, I am a little confused by your link. I read it as no brakes for cars being towed by cars. Just to the left of that is says 1000 lbs for "brake laws trailers", which would mean my rig is way overweight.

The site "http://www.roadkingtrailers.com/brakelaws.htm" lists a limit of "4000 lbs GVW". I read this as gross vehicle weight, which (I may be wrong) would mean I have to include the weight of the tow vehicle.

Any thoughts by anyone?

 

[wncrjb]

Re: 4 questions in one thread

The site "http://www.roadkingtrailers.com/brakelaws.htm" lists a limit of "4000 lbs GVW". I read this as gross vehicle weight, which (I may be wrong) would mean I have to include the weight of the tow vehicle.

Any thoughts by anyone?

I may be wrong but the 4000# GVW is the weight of the trailer and load only.
What exactly are you towing this boat with?
Hope it's big enough to get you stopped in hurry.

wncrjb

 

[Hondo65]

Re: 4 questions in one thread

I am new to serious boating but have been towing trailers for quite awhile.

If you think your boat and trailer weigh 3500#-4000# you should have brakes. That is 2 tons of inertia behind you.

What are you using for a tow vehicle? If you have a full size heavy duty pickup with a diesel engine you will be able to handle that load (starting and stopping) much easier than with a light duty SUV or car. Either way I'd add brakes for safety and reduce wear and tear on your tow rig. My new trailer is the first I've had with surge breaks and I am not a big fan. I like brakes that I can control from the cab of my truck if I need to in an emergency situation. I guess like grease, any brakes are better than no brakes.

Hondo

 

[bjcsc]

Re: 4 questions in one thread

While I think your questions have been covered, I just wanted to say what a lovely handle... hopefully you're a micro guy...

 

[Campylobacter]

Re: 4 questions in one thread

So GVW does not include the weight of the tow vehicle? good to know.

My truck is rated for 4500 lbs, but I don't really know how much the rig weighs, I'm only guessing 3500 lbs. I think I will give the local landfill a call and see if they can weight the whole thing (they have weighed the truck before when I took a load a trash in, I just forgot about them).

Sound like I might be legal but I will still look into getting some brakes. No problems yet, but my usual lake is only 10 miles down the road, and next year we hope to be going further away.

 

[Hondo65]

Re: 4 questions in one thread

You can buy the brake kits many places. Northern Tool and equipment is a good source also Tractor Supply

Hondo

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 4 questions in one thread

you are correct, i mis-read the chart.

 

[External Combustion]

Re: 4 questions in one thread

It looks like you have a TorFlex axle. Check out Redneck Trailer Supplies on the web for bolt on brakes.

Another common source for public scales is at your local feed mill/agrabuisness center. Check your Yellow Pages under "Public Scales" also.

The distance you travel has nothing to do with the chance of a dolt pulling a stunt in front of you that needs maximum braking to prevent disaster. Remember that most fatal traffic accidents occur within 10 miles of home!

 

[dave11]

Re: 4 questions in one thread

What I do to weigh my trailers is to go to a truckstop with a CAT scale. I measure the distance above ground the trailer tongue is while hooked to the tow vehicle. I then place the wheels on one platform of the scale and the jack on another platform at the same height it would be if it was hooked up to the truck. They will provide you with a scale ticket with three weights. They will be the tongue weight, weight on tires, and total weight. It will cost you about $8. Do it at a slow time. Ask them at the fuel desk before you drop your trailer on the scale. Then you won't have to guess your weights.

 

[Campylobacter]

Re: 4 questions in one thread

Thanks for all the help guys.

and bjcsc; yea, I'm a microbiologist.

 

[jmoorepghpa]

Re: 4 questions in one thread

One quick thing to throw in here. If you plan to have one dedicated tow vehicle you use to pull your rig then electric brakes are a much better way to go.
One... with impulse brakes there is a lag from the time you brake the tow vehicle until the trailer brakes actuate... with electric brakes the trailer brakes apply simultaneously with the tow vehicle therefore more positive control. Two... you have control over how aggressive the braking on the trailer is with the electric set up -- a good thing in the rain and/or mountainous terrain. Three.... with electric brakes you have brakes when you are going in REVERSE.... very very nice on steep slick ramps... impulse brakes do not function in reverse. The counterpoint is if you go with electric brakes you must fit the tow vehicle with the sending unit and if you are only using a single vehicle to tow that is no problem. If you intend to use multiple vehicles to tow your boat and will not be rigging them all for electric then impulse brakes are the way to go since you will still have achieved the goal of getting some brakes on the trailer. PS-- watch your tires... 3500 pounds is a lot on two 14 or 15 inch tires....never buy "car" tires for your trailer... all the brakes in the world wont help when an overloaded tire lets go.

 

[skipperjon]

Re: 4 questions in one thread

The easiest way I found to weigh your rig is at a truck scale. They have multiple weighing platforms on the scale which will weigh the whole thing at one time but give you individual readouts. Place the trailer axels on one platform, the unhooked tonge on another and your whole truck on the last one (no need to move your truck since it's sitting on it's own platform). Pick up the phone (usually next to the scales) and tell them you're ready. Go to the fuel desk to get your results. You will have the weight of the trailer, tounge and the tow vehicle, individually. Add trailer with tounge weight = total weight of the boat and trailer.
Works great. About $6.
JC