Tire rating vs Trailer rating

[Recoil Rob]

I'm rebuilding the trailer that came with my GW 18' CC, it's an older SeaLion S-18-2450 single axle. Back then they built them with 4x3 frames, they currently built them with 3x3 frames.

They currently go up to 3600 on a 4x3 frame in that length and since replacement axles only come in 2200 or 3500 I thought I'll go up to a 3500# axle and springs.

My tires are currently Loadmaster 205/75 r14 with a load rating of 1760 @ 50psi. max. I notice that on most 3500# trailers use a 215/75R14 or a 205/75R15 with closer to a 2000# rating.

Total weight of boat, trailer, engine equipment and gas will be around #3200 (original trailer was apparently overloaded!), is it necessary to uprate the tires? If so better to go with wider 14's or 15's?

thanks,

Rob

 

[harringtondav]

Opinion here. Trailer tires aren't terribly expensive. And I'd guess the cost up for 2000# tires vs. 1760# is small. I'd go with the 14" tires since you have the rims, and know the tires will clear your fenders. I'd also go with the 2000# rating to give yourself extra safety margin. A high speed bump would be less concerning with the 2000# tires.

 

[ahicks]

I'll just say this. You don't see trailers on the side of the road with broken frames. It's always tires or burnt out hubs.

Some extra head room when it comes to tire capacity never hurt a thing. Often, you can buy them mounted for nearly the same as what they cost loose - saving yourself the trouble of having them mounted.

 

[Recoil Rob]

As I thought, thank you.

As an aside, my last boat was a Sturdee16 dory with a Honda 25, total weight, with gear and gas was probably 650#. I boat in saltwater.

I bought a new "fully galvanized" Karavan 1200# trailer. Only the axle wasn't galvanized on the inside of the 2x2. I was bringing it home from fishing one day, hit a bump and snapped the axle. Good thing I had paid the extra $20 for trailer insurance. Guy put it on a flat bed and drive me home. Then I got a fully galvanized axle for it.