Making my trailer more heavy duty

[truckermatt]

I have a 1990 EZ-loader single axle trailer, with my wellcraft 186 sitting on it..

The dry weight of the boat is 2750 according to Wellcraft, so with fuel and stuff around 3100, and another 750 for the trailer..... I havent took it to a scale yet.... But i can lift the tongue very easily. maybe around 200 pounds of weight on it. As you can see in the pictures the axle sits in the middle of the "weighted" part of the boat, But the trailer does ride smooth, no bouncing or anything.

The when driving, the tires look "bent" in and the tires seem "low" on air, but there are pumped up..... The tires are rated for 1750 lbs each, so i am guessing the axle is rated at 3500 lbs... This is the trailer that the original dealer put the boat on back in 1990... so i must be right at the max limit...


My question is, would it be feasible to add a second axle to the trailer.... I am skilled when it comes to trailers... and if so what rating would i get.... I would slide the existing axle all the way back and then mount the new one....That way it wont bounce and make me feel like the tires are going to pop

Or should i upgrade to a heavier ply tire (d-rating) which is 2050 lbs per tire...
I cant go any bigger in rim size because the fender is in the way then....

I guess the other option is to find a old tandem trailer for a 19-20ft boat and use... I want to keep this trailer if i could because it fits the boat with the rollers....

Here are some, pictures.

 

[4JawChuck]

Re: Making my trailer more heavy duty

Are the tires inflated to the maximum inflation pressure according to the sidewall marking? I have a similar trailer and I run 50 psi in my tires at all times, if I run any less my tires look like yours.

 

[truckermatt]

Re: Making my trailer more heavy duty

i do believe that are at the max which is 45 psi.... or 50 psi..... i will check in the morning.

 

[dwco5051]

Re: Making my trailer more heavy duty

I would contact EZ-Loader with your trailer model # and get the specs. They make a good trailer but I have never seen a dealer sell a package with a trailer to large. A trailer that is marginal saves a few dollars and makes their deal look more attractive.

The rule of thumb is about 10% of the gross weight should be on the tongue. Since you say it pulls great that doesn't seem to be a problem. To increase tongue weight it is usually easier to move the winch stand forward a few inches than move the axle back. That being said I have had a couple of trailers that have had axle units that have been simple to move back. Eliminates the need to readjust rollers or bunks if the winch stand is moved any distance.

Are you running trailer tires or car tires?

All that being said if you want to beef up the trailer it would be much easier to change the axle, springs, and tires to upgrade it rather than add another axle.

Also it is much easier to manhandle a single axle trailer rather than a tandem if they need to be moved by hand. Years ago I had five boats (two on tandem trailers) of my own on trailers, two of my daughters, one of my dads, two utility trailers, and two campers on my property. What I wouldn't have given for a small Kabota with a three point ball hitch back then

 

[truckermatt]

Re: Making my trailer more heavy duty

Are you running trailer tires or car tires?

I have ST 205/75/R14 Trailer tires Load C rating (1750lbs each)

Cant go any bigger, without replacing the wheel fender/step

 

[Dave1251]

Re: Making my trailer more heavy duty

If the wheels look like the axle is "bent out" I would replace the axle, hubs, wheels/tires and fenders. For your boat, you need ST 225R75D15 tires (65psi) and six lug (5.5" Pattern) hubs . This will give you a load capacity of close to 5,000lbs.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Making my trailer more heavy duty

Increasing tire capacity does nothing for "load" capacity if the axle is still rated for 3500#. The axle, springs, and tires are the items that when combined create the load capacity. All three must have the ability to carry the load. You also don't just bolt on another axle unless the trailer uses a torsion style axle. A tandem, sprung axle requires a walking beam to allow the wheels to walk over uneven surfaces. If the current axle is attached to a sub-frame, chances are it is not long enough to add another axle.

 

[rbh]

Re: Making my trailer more heavy duty

there should be the builders tag or sticker somewhere on the reach, this should show you the T.A.R.E and the GVW and with which tire size to use.
the frame of the trailer is only desighned to carry a maximum weight, so if you try and overbuild with larger tires, axles etc you risk frame failure
(usually in the reach)
just a thought
rob

 

[NYBo]

Re: Making my trailer more heavy duty

Start by getting an accurate weight.

 

[Dave1251]

Re: Making my trailer more heavy duty

This boat has been on the trailer for 18 years, if the frame of the trailer was the weakest link, than it would have bent by now. The tires can not be original and the wheel look like they might have been replaced also. So if you are only trying to beef up the trailer to better handle this boat, than replacing the weakest link with upgraded parts will help. It is also easy to buy these parts that will fit at any boat or trailer dealer.

 

[rbh]

Re: Making my trailer more heavy duty

Its not a question of will the frame take the weight, its a question of liability if an accident happens!
Check the tag or stamp
rob

 

[4JawChuck]

Re: Making my trailer more heavy duty

If the tires lean in at the top you may have the wrong size bearings on the axle, my trailer had 1 1/8" bearings on 1 1/16" axles and had the same problem when I bought it. The bearings should be a snug fit on the bearing seat, if they have a 1/16" of clearance you have found one problem.

Seems to be a common problem when people replace the bearings to get the wrong size bearing.

 

[truckermatt]

Re: Making my trailer more heavy duty

Thanks, for all the replies... I will check for the tag on the trailer... couldnt see anything before... but will look again, Hopefully it didnt fall off or anything.

I agree, i wont be adding a second axle to this trailer, And yes the axle attached to the leaf springs, which attached to brackets that attached to the frame...

I guess i really dont know why i am getting all worked up about it... The trailer tows perfectly, the brakes work good, and i re-did all the lights this summer...

I will check the bearings and see if they are maybe the wrong size.... ()it does have bearing buddies on them... if that matters.

 

[truckermatt]

Re: Making my trailer more heavy duty

Well here is an update...

I dont see a plate or stamping anywhere on the trailer..... but i do see a spot of glue where one might have been...

The axle is not bent "down" as if there was too much weight in it. si i think that axle is fine...

Also the tires say 50 psi cold and that i have in them...

I will look for some bigger tires and maybe a new fender over the winter...

 

[Knightgang]

Re: Making my trailer more heavy duty

You have a 3500lb axle on the trailer now. With the weights you posted, you are right at the limit. I would get an accurate weight of the entire setup, I think your estimate of total overall weight might be a bit light. One you get it loaded with fuel and then gear up for a trip, you might even be a little over the 3500 lbs. I would load it as you would for a trip and then go to a scale a get a total weight. If you are over the 3500, then I would upgrade to a 5500 lbs axle (six lug) and the larger tire size as mentioned above...

 

[insanity]

Re: Making my trailer more heavy duty

I agree with replacing the axle, rims, hubs, higher rated tire, and I add installing some sort of trailer breaking system that is water friendly. A lot easier than fabing in a second axle.

I use a 1/2 tun dodge ram 1500 to tow my boat and jeep, with out brakes they both push me more than I like (jeeps trailer has working brakes now). All the parts needed for a breaking system can be expensive but the piece of mind knowing you will still stop at your tow rigs stock or close to it stopping distance is well worth it. It is all really easy to install with basic hand tools if you follow the supplied directions, nothing to get frustrated with.

 

[J JACKSON]

Re: Making my trailer more heavy duty

you can upgrade your rims and tires with out getting any larger size just higher load capacity. contact a local tire dealer and get a higher rated tire and rim. I bet those rims have been changed and aren't heavy enough, those are probally 1500 lb each rims

 

[Knightgang]

Re: Making my trailer more heavy duty

I bet those rims have been changed and aren't heavy enough, those are probally 1500 lb each rims

1500 to 1750 is all they should be rated for for a 3500lb axle. At his weights, the axle itself MAY not be rated high enough. It might be, but we will not know without accurate weight. Yes, he could upgrade the rims and tires alone, but that will not change the axle rating which could end up with a bent spindle if he is extremely close or over the 3500 lb rating...

 

[truckermatt]

Re: Making my trailer more heavy duty

Well the axle isnt bent when sitting with the boat on it....

I got a weight of the boat without truck...... 300 lbs on tongue and 3300 on the axle.....

the trailer it self is very light actually....

I so i am in the clear with the 3500lb axle i have.... i guess all is well...

 

[Knightgang]

Re: Making my trailer more heavy duty

You are close, but should be OK. Although, the 3500# axle (while supporting only 3300, you are really weighing 3600, 100 over the axle rating...

Additionally, the downward force on the spindles with traveling is multiplied by X factor over the 3300 current axle weight...

JMHO, If it were me, I would feel better with the 5500 axle. But you are only over slightly so it is your call...