Spare Trailer hub question

[hankll]

Re: Spare Trailer hub question

JB25VIP - I think what Silvertip says makes sense in a way. He's obviously had experience with boat dealers methods. Perhaps it would be a pain, as you say, but as you are trying to be proactive with a spare hub, you should go get your rig weighed. Going that extra step, will give you exact weight of what you are pulling fully rigged for the water, and then you'll be assured that you are either o.k., or your boat is heavier than the trailer will safely support, putting stress on springs and axle systems. Your boat is bigger than my ProCraft which is only 19'6", and my trailer says its maximum carrying capacity is 2930#, with an GVW of 3750# and my trailer is made for this boat. So be even more proactive and check the weight of your trailer/boat weight. Truck stops will let you scale your rig if you ask permission, letting them know you aren't a big rig, and it only costs $8.50 at most truck stops. Not a lot of money for peace of mind.

 

[hankll]

Re: Spare Trailer hub question

I might mention, since I'm a truck driver, you should ask the manager when would be a good time for you to run across the scale, so as not to hold up trucks needing to use the scale. There are peak times and times (usually after dark) when trucks aren't as likely to be using the scales much. The reason I say that, in order to get your GVW, you'd need to disconnect your rig and put your landing dolly down and get off the portion of the scale where your rig is weighing. Truck scales are divided in 3 sections to measure a big truck, axle by axle, with a total of weight computed. So if you disconnected the boat/trailer on the long portion of the scale ( where a big rig's trailer would be) and pulled off to the next portions with your vehicle, you'd get a GVW of your boat rig, and a GVW of your tow vehicle. Re-hook after they tell you they got the weight, pull around out of the way, and go in and pay. Its the way they do it for us big trucks, so that other trucks can weigh with out having you being in the way while you pay. You could even do this while your boat is in the water (under someones care ) while you did it again, again disconnecting the trailer, to get your empty trailer weight, then you'd know exactly how much your boat weighed, by simple subtraction of the 2 scale tickets.

 

[JB25VIP]

Re: Spare Trailer hub question

thank for the advice hankl, i think i'll take it and weight it one day here pretty soon, like you say, just to be safe and to know exactly.

- lets say its too heavy for peace of mind, what would everyone do? try to hunt down a heavier axle? or just scout a tandem trailer? which i think looking for a new trailer that is a tandem axle but not too big to accomodate my 19 foot would be hard to find as well.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Spare Trailer hub question

In the event your trailer is overloaded, installing a heavier axle would be necessary. That means stepping up to a 5200# unit and that unfortunately requires new hubs (6 bolt) and more unfortunately, new wheels. You would also need to check the load rating of the existing tires. You find that on the sidewall of the tire. The combined load rating of the two tires needs to meet or exceed the axle and spring capacity. Since we know the weight is around 3600 - 4000 pounds, you would need to install tires that have that load capacity as a minimum (1800 - 2000 pounds each). All of this considered, you would probably be much better off selling your trailer and buying a tandem which you would never regret since they handle much better than a single axle. That trailer would likely have two 3500# axles giving you around 7000# GVWR and tires would be much cheaper. It would also have brakes on at least one axle. Which brings up another issue with your trailer. If it doesn't have brakes it is probably illegal in lots of states. There is a sticky at the top of this forum that lists trailer brake requirements by state. I hate to keep throwing issues at you but if the trailer doesn't have brakes and it is overloaded, you have a legal issue should you be involved in an accident (depending on the brake requirements in your state). I'm trying to help here, not pick on you. I hope you understand that.

 

[JB25VIP]

Re: Spare Trailer hub question

i fully understand and appreciate the info, i knew i was going to have to adress this issue sooner or later, i guess betters soon as opposed to later

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Spare Trailer hub question

I think it is a good idea to have an extra hub for another reason. I was driving one time and a stud snapped. I notice this in a rest area. 10 miles later, the tire went flying off the trailer after the remaining studs snapped. I wish I had a spare hub with me. In my case I had to look high and low for replacement studs.