Is my trailer over loaded?

[chaparral442]

I have a single axle aluminum with 14 inch tires=3520# capacity max


2006 190 Chap Dry Weight 2900
Swim Platform 100
Two Batteries 75
Gear 150
Fuel 33 gal 225
Trailer 500

Total 3950

Dealer says I can upgrade to 15 inch tires but that only takes me to 3720 capacity

This is how the dealer sold the boat -I am the second owner. Dealer will also give me NADA Value on trade for a new tandem axle

Your thoughts?

 

[JB]

Re: Is my trailer over loaded?

Yes. Your trailer is overloaded.

Trailer capacity depends on the axle, springs and tires. Just changing the tires is not going to make the combination any stronger. Each component (and the frame, too) must have a capacity at or greater than the load. Think of them as a chain. . .only as strong as the weakest link.

Get a trailer rated for 5,000# or more. That will probably be a tandem, and be sure to get it with brakes.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Is my trailer over loaded?

agree brakes both axles.

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: Is my trailer over loaded?

agree brakes both axles.

if your going off factory dry weight for your boat then your most likely in worse shape than you think now
run the thing over a scale and you'll get your answer
JB and td are right

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Is my trailer over loaded?

15" tires can get you a higher load rating than what the dealer quoted you. The only problem would be fender clearance with a higher capacity tire though.

You should find out from the trailer mfg what the springs and axle are rated for. Also remember that 10% of your weight is on the hitch so you don't have all of the weight on the axle.

 

[External Combustion]

Re: Is my trailer over loaded?

You could play the game of getting J rated tires, but in your heart you know you are overloaded. Even running at capacity gives rise to white knuckles at times.

I don't like surprise endings, so I keep my loads within 70% of a trailers capacity whether it is my 1,000 lb GTW box trailer or my 25 K utility flatbed.

Good serviceable used trailers are cheaper than a couple of outings of gas for a boat. Look around, shop carefully and do the right thing. Upgrade your tow vehicle to handle the load if you need to and get a good brake controller if you have electric brakes on the trailer. No brakes? Get them. It is cheap money to be legal. A simple fine at a DOT stop is far more than a set of new brakes attached to the flanges of your trailer axle.

By the way, dealers don't care what happens to you after the sale. If you are fined or go to prison is of no concern to them. If you balk at $20 extra they get concerned and will steer you to something that they know is inadequate, but will make the sale and pay them at the end of the day. You know the image that society has of used car salesmen and lawyers. Keep that in mind when you talk to a boat salesman. You are betting your financial future on their veracity. It pays to to check them and their knowledge out.

On a side point, finding out if you are overloaded is as simple as calling the DOT office and describing your situation. I know most individuals despise cops and bureaucrats, but I have found the best way to get informed is ask one "What are the laws concerning......can you tell me where I can find them?" I did this today to find the jurisdiction limits between the state where I live and the Corps of Engineers on a local lake. Both sides were polite and spent over an hour getting me the answer I needed.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Is my trailer over loaded?

If you really want to know what is limiting the rating of the trailer, you need to call the manufacturer. For example, the trailer I have has a frame that is used for higher rated trailers but the axles and springs that I have on my trailer determine the rating.

I needed a new axle for my trailer. All I had to do was to give them the serial number and they knew exactly how the thing was built. They made me an axle with the exact specs of the original axle. They knew what springs it had...everything.

I am sure you can do the same. Give them the serial number and ask them what you can do to increase its load rating. They will tell you if the frame that you have is sufficeint to warrant a few changes.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Is my trailer over loaded?

Most likely overloaded. Weigh it and you will know for sure.

 

[rndn]

Re: Is my trailer over loaded?

It's overloaded. Most likely way overloaded. Bite the bullet and get a nice tandem axle trailer with brakes on both axles, you won't be sorry. I had a Baja Force 216 with a 5.7 Alpha drive with a single axle trailer for 10 years. I guess I was just stubborn but I couldn't go anywhere with spare hubs and the tools to change them. Tires would only last a couple of years because they would wear out on the inside of the tread and I only lived 7 miles form the boat launch. I could never relax towing always waiting for a bearing to let loose. I look back on it now and realize I would have enjoyed the boat so much more if I had just replaced the trailer.
By the way my dry weight was 2910.

 

[twag4]

Re: Is my trailer over loaded?

Remember, gross axle rating has to include weight of the trailer and load minus the axle. You are overloaded. The forces are increased when axle loads and unloads under deflection such as bumps, railroad tracks, etc. There is a safety factor included in the load rating for that, it doesnt allow for weight of cargo greater than gross weight limitations.

 

[96 Wellcraft]

Re: Is my trailer over loaded?

You only mention the weight capacity of your tires. What is the rating stamped on your trailer? I wondered about the whether my trailer was overloaded and I was finally able to clean the trailer enough to read the rating. My Ez-loader single torsion axle is rated for 8000lbs. I figured closer to 3000. After finding this info I walked our drydock and compared the other single and double axle boat trailers there. What I found surprised me, several of the tandem axle trailers were only rated to 5000 lbs. The heaviest was 7000 lbs. Mine was the highest rated and several of the singles were rated to 5000 lbs. Mine was also the only with torsion axles, the other 11 were leaf spring, don't know why that made a difference.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Is my trailer over loaded?

He is not "way" overloaded as many of you say. He has 3950# total with 90% of that on the axle which brings his axle's load to 3555#. His tires are rated to 3520#. It is very possible that with some minor tweaks he can keep his single axle trailer. We don't even know what his trailer is actually rated for because this wasn't even mentioned.

Amazing how everyone has a conclusion based on not enough info.

 

[External Combustion]

Re: Is my trailer over loaded?

Bruce: It is probably because his dealer said he could upgrade to 15 inch tires to give him a capacity of 3720. It would reason that if he could go from a f series tire to a h series tire then the dealer would have told him so. Not many dealers are aware of the heavy duty load ranges over "D" and the tires that are are not common. Light duty trailer manufacturers don't include them in thgeir weight calculations.

Gross trailer weight does not include the transfer to the tounge by most manufacturers recommendations. The transfer bit will get you out of a DOT fine in most states, not all. It is not something to bet on for longevity or reasonable towing, IMHO.

With his present set up he is at 112% load. That is way overloaded for a casual tower, once again IMHO.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Is my trailer over loaded?

Bruce: It is probably because his dealer said he could upgrade to 15 inch tires to give him a capacity of 3720. It would reason that if he could go from a f series tire to a h series tire then the dealer would have told him so. Not many dealers are aware of the heavy duty load ranges over "D" and the tires that are are not common. Light duty trailer manufacturers don't include them in thgeir weight calculations.

Gross trailer weight does not include the transfer to the tounge by most manufacturers recommendations. The transfer bit will get you out of a DOT fine in most states, not all. It is not something to bet on for longevity or reasonable towing, IMHO.

With his present set up he is at 112% load. That is way overloaded for a casual tower, once again IMHO.

The tires are rated for the load that is on them which is 90% of the towed weight. I agree with your statement that the trailer is rated for the entire weight. So far the original poster has provided his tire capacity and nothing else. His trailer may be rated for 5000# as far as we know.

A C or D rated 15" tire is extremely easy to find and both would be overkill for his application. Tires are typically the weakest link(as JB was talking about). http://www.greenball.com/tires/towmaster.htm


It is actually not a good thing to go with too much margin on the trailer capacity for boats. A trailer that has tires and springs that are designed for a much heavier load will tend to ride a lot rougher and will take its toll on the boat over time.

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: Is my trailer over loaded?

bruce; as stated above, much info ahs been left out. as i also stated if he is going by mfg dry weight then boat is probably much heavyer than stated.
your point is taken and understood. but i still bet he is over weight

 

[chaparral442]

Re: Is my trailer over loaded?

trailer is weighted at 3500# - I confirmed it with the MFG

I check my tire inflation before each trip- The last time I trailered at 45MPH I noticed every time I hit a bump the tires squatted. The boat seems to bounce too much-- it appears over loaded as if the tires nor the trailer can handle the load safely

what other information did I leave out?

 

[Mark42]

Re: Is my trailer over loaded?

No comment.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Is my trailer over loaded?

It sounds to me that he'd be more comfortable with a heavier trailer even though his existing trailer may be able to be made to work.
A lot will depend on his tow vehicle being able to handle a larger, heavier trailer.

With my own boats, I prefer a single axle trailer which is properly sprung to match the load at hand. A tandem axle trailer is harder on tires and harder to maneuver in tight spaces. Since I tow with a small pickup, and with gas prices soaring, I like to keep the weight at a minimum when ever I can.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Is my trailer over loaded?

I was right at the limit of my trailer's 13" tire rating 2x 1480# (probably over when taking a big trip) and upgraded to bigger rims/tires. The trailer and axle were within limits, but I kept having tire problems, guess 100+ temps and heavily loaded tires do not agree. 14's would only give me a bit more capacity so I went crazy and got 15" D load range tires, 2540# each. I had to replace the fenders, but at least overloading the tires isn't on my mind anymore. Rides much better now.

 

[chaparral442]

Re: Is my trailer over loaded?

It sounds to me that he'd be more comfortable with a heavier trailer even though his existing trailer may be able to be made to work.
A lot will depend on his tow vehicle being able to handle a larger, heavier trailer.

With my own boats, I prefer a single axle trailer which is properly sprung to match the load at hand. A tandem axle trailer is harder on tires and harder to maneuver in tight spaces. Since I tow with a small pickup, and with gas prices soaring, I like to keep the weight at a minimum when ever I can.

I tow with an Armada so that is not an issue. Thanks for the input - I think most of you agree it was over loaded. This was never an issue of money but one of safety-I purchased a tandem axle with 5200# rating. With my rig near 4000# I will feel safer with the long tows I make each week

Thanks to all of you for your input