Trailer weight/tire capacity question

[RyanSS]

So I just bought a 2007 Sea Ray 185 Sport on a new single axle 2013 Nextrail 6k lb capacity I-beam aluminum trailer with surge disc brakes.

The tires are rated for 1765 lbs at 50psi.

Boat is 2400 lbs dry, probably add 400 lbs for fuel (26 gallons) and extra gear....so 2800 lbs. Let's round up to 3000 lbs.

If tires are rated for 1765 x 2 = 3530 lbs of tire capacity. I have a sneaky suspicion that my trailer weighs more than 530 lbs.

Should I be worried about the tires? They are new also.

 

[KD4UPL]

Re: Trailer weight/tire capacity question

Your tongue will carry some of the weight. Maybe around 5% or so. An aluminum trailer for that little boat may not be much more than 500 pounds.
The safest thing to do is take the rig, fully loaded to your nearest quarry, feedmill, landfill, or truck stop and weigh it.

 

[RyanSS]

Re: Trailer weight/tire capacity question

The trailer wasn't made for the boat. The previous boat owner traded the boat in but had kept it on a lift and didn't have a trailer. The dealership put this trailer under it. It's beefier than the original trailers that came with this Sea Ray. I'm wondering why a trailer rated for a 6k lb gross rating only has 1765 lb c-rated tires on it.

I'll get the whole rig weighed and see what I'm working with.

 

[BrianNJ]

Re: Trailer weight/tire capacity question

I'm wondering why a trailer rated for a 6k lb gross rating only has 1765 lb c-rated tires on it.

My trailer is 6k lbs gross and has 4 of those tires. Maybe that trailer its normally a tandem axle?
Doesn't seem like a problem for your application, but you might want to check with the trailer manufacturer to see if modifications were made.

 

[RyanSS]

Re: Trailer weight/tire capacity question

Whoa.....i'm an idiot. Just went out with a flashlight and checked it out again. The 6k lb rating is on the Titan surge brake system. The trailer itself is rated for 3500 lbs and the single axle has a 3500 lb rating sticker on it also. The tires are actually rated to 1760 each.

So....3500 lbs is my max gvwr for the trailer/axle/tire combo. Guess I better get the whole she-bang weighed and see what it's at. I'm thinking it's over weight.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Trailer weight/tire capacity question

I think, as long as you don't throw 1000 lbs of gear you'll be fine but yeah get it weighed..... put 10% (or even 15%) of the weight on the tongue and you'll gain a bit of a margin.

 

[RyanSS]

Re: Trailer weight/tire capacity question

yeah, I found out that the factory Shorelander trailer that comes with this boat originally is only rated for 3100 lbs. I suppose I'm ok with a 3500 lb rating. It concerns me that the tires camber appears to be leaning in towards the top though.

I'll get it all weighed first and then check with the trailer manufacturer on the camber issue (assuming it's not over loaded).

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Trailer weight/tire capacity question

Sounds like a plan... You can measure the camber of the wheels with a cheap angle finder from harbor freight if you wanna make sure it isn't just an illusion.

http://www.harborfreight.com/dial-gauge-angle-finder-34214.html

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Trailer weight/tire capacity question

When these tires wear out, buy the next larger size tire if you can. I am not saying to put any more weight on them as the axle is still rated for 3500. It just gives you a a safety margin on the tires. I have done that with my tires on my trailer.

 

[RyanSS]

Re: Trailer weight/tire capacity question

Just talked to Nextrail (what a joke) and the trailer weighs 900 lbs. So with just the boat, full tank of fuel and trailer I'm at 3500 lbs. Add gear and I'm over weight.

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Trailer weight/tire capacity question

If you have 14" tires, the only option for sturdier tires (that I am aware of) is Kumho 857 D rated 14" trailer tires. I don't think any other company makes a D rated 14" tire. The trailer capacity is legally just a function of the tire capacity in most states.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Trailer weight/tire capacity question

if your total was 4000 lbs and 15% of that were on your ball, the axle would be supporting 3400 lbs

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Trailer weight/tire capacity question

if your total was 4000 lbs and 15% of that were on your ball, the axle would be supporting 3400 lbs

With 600 lbs on the Ball you are now in Class III towing Capacities.

The common 2 inch Class II balls and hitches are not normally rated for over 500 lbs on the ball. (10%)
Be sure to check that your hitch and tow vehicle are rated to carry the extra load.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Trailer weight/tire capacity question

A class II hitch isn't rated to pull over 3500 lbs.... He'd be at class III anyhow.

Personally, I've never had anything under class IV except my jeep which has no business pulling a 3500 lb boat

 

[bigdee]

Re: Trailer weight/tire capacity question

if your total was 4000 lbs and 15% of that were on your ball, the axle would be supporting 3400 lbs

+1 10% is the norm and you can tweak that by moving the boat. Go to a boat dealer and look around at the boat/trailers and you will find loads similar to yours. Most single axle trailers I have seen are on the marginal side. The max rating should be adhered to but I don't believe it is the absolute number for failure. Keep your tires inflated to max.

 

[RyanSS]

Re: Trailer weight/tire capacity question

Ok, went and had it weighed at a truck stop with CAT scale.

Boat, trailer, full tank of gas, and limited gear (anchor & line, dock lines, 2 fenders w/lines, Coast Guard kit (6 life jackets, horn, first aid kit, flares, fire extinguisher) total weight: 3680

Tongue weight: approx 310 lb

So 3680 - tongue weight = 3370 lbs on the tires

Guess I'll be putting any additional gear in the truck bed when towing.