Re: broke a axle today at 70mph
most trailers I have seen recommend no more than 45
Hmm.............Where did you get that? Been following a lot of U-Haul trailers around?
Had a look at Shoreland'r, EZ Loader. Load Rite, Magic Tilt, Boatmate and Magnum Trailers and none suggest a max towing speed except "the speed limit"
No state has a towing limit lower than 55 mph and some states have limits as high as 75
http://www.towingworld.com/articles/TowingLaws.htm
Trailer Speed Limits | AAA/CAA Digest of Motor Laws
The only 45 mph speed limit I could find refers to towing a mobile home.....
I routinely tow my boat at 65 MPH (although the limit in Wa is 60)
Now, having said all that, I wouldn't have towed the original posters trailer at ANY speed.
I hate to rub sand into an open sore but this is a good example of why folks need to stick their heads under their trailers -- OFTEN -- and especially if most of the dunkings are in salt water. This trailer needs a complete new suspension and a very thorough inspection of the frame with a ball-peen hammer. The springs are a dead giveaway as to the amount of rust on this suspension. It appears the tires are 12 inch and may be overloaded as well. If the inner and outer bearings on this axle are 1-1/16 inch then the axle is a 2000# capacity which is definitely overloaded. Just pointing out some IF scenarios.
Yeah.......
You place yourself at great risk physically and for liability!
Intentionally towing a rusted out piece of junk down the road, at high speed could make you liable for damages and injuries to others that your insurance might not fully cover because of obvious negligence. ("Slip & Fall" lawyers just LOVE this sort of thing!!)
I know if I had someones tire go through my windshield from a boat trailer like that, and there were injuries or a death (like one of my family) , I would probably own their house after the trial and get an injunction for after they got out of jail.
