Trailer too heavy duty?

[ShoestringMariner]

Hey all, I just bought a 1950's plywood runabout on an ez loader trailer. I think this trailer is too heavy duty as it seems very bumpy and rattles around on even the smallest bumps.

My tin boat is on a much lighter trailer and it tows much nicer.

The EZ loader looks like its designed to take a much heavier boat ('glass etc) and I'm wondering if the springs are too stiff for the load on it?

Is it worth changing springs to a lighter capacity?

 

[jbcurt00]

What is the trailer rated for?

How heavy is the plywood boat?

Otherwise, purely a guess....

Is the trailer well setup to carry the boat?

 

[Rick Stephens]

Weigh it and put the right springs under it. Simple and easy.

 

[ShoestringMariner]

What is the trailer rated for?

How heavy is the plywood boat?

Otherwise, purely a guess....

Is the trailer well setup to carry the boat?

Boat is 500lbs' +/- if it has the tank and motor on it, and the trailer is rated for 1200. Physically, it isn't too big width and lengthwise, but it's overbuilt for the boat. (3 x 3 tubing etc)

And no, not set up well for this boat. I have to replace the rollers with bunks.

 

[jbcurt00]

I might try setting tbe trailer up to fit the boat 1st, strap it down and tow it. It might just not be well fitted.

1200lb trailer isnt particularly stout, but respringing softer wouldnt be what I did 1st. Esp on a trailer that isnt set up for the boat sitting on it.

 

[ahicks]

If you're looking at the tire sidewall to get the air pressure you're using, keep in mind that is the tire's MAX rating. With a load that's nowhere near max, you can back off on that max rating by quite a bit. I'd be tempted to try an air pressure down around 25 pounds from your description. Run it 10 miles or so, and put your hand on the sidewall of the tire to see how warm it is. If it's at about the same temp as the tow vehicle tires (nothing scientific required here) you're good to go. The difference in ride is generally very noticeable!

 

[H20Rat]

+1 on the tire pressure... Bias ply tires in particular are rated at max PSI and max weight. If you meet both of those, the tire will have a certain contact patch on the ground and specific sidewall profile. Running max PSI but less than max load reduces both of parameters, and the tire is actually operating outside its intended design. It will ride rough, and it will have far less traction than it should.

LIke ahicks above, I'd drop at least 20% and test.

 

[ShoestringMariner]

Doh, why didn't I think of tire pressure?!?

I will try that first and foremost

 

[ShoestringMariner]

Worked like a charm. The PO had them filled right to 60 PSI. I dumped half of it, put the motor, gas tank and battery in and voila, quiet as a mouse.

thanks again

 

[H20Rat]

Just curious, what load were the tires rated at? (load and psi)

 

[ShoestringMariner]

Just curious, what load were the tires rated at? (load and psi)

780 lb, max pressure of 60 psi on 4.80-12 tires. Even at 30 psi, they don't bulge