Trying to determine my Gross Trailer Weight and Tongue Weight

[massimofinance]

I need to replace my coupler and jack. I know the coupler is determined by the GTW. I have a twin axle LoadRite trailer. The boat is a 2000 SeaRay Sundeck 210, inboard/outboard, Mercruiser v8. Anyone can help me determine the GTW and Tongue weight, estimated?

Also, The trailer had brakes but I removed them when they got all rusted together. I only drive 3 miles to the marina where I dry sail the boat. I am removing the coupler that has the actuator built in and replacing with a regular coupler.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Trying to determine my Gross Trailer Weight and Tongue Weight

I need to replace my coupler and jack. I know the coupler is determined by the GTW. I have a twin axle LoadRite trailer. The boat is a 2000 SeaRay Sundeck 210, inboard/outboard, Mercruiser v8. Anyone can help me determine the GTW and Tongue weight, estimated?

Also, The trailer had brakes but I removed them when they got all rusted together. I only drive 3 miles to the marina where I dry sail the boat. I am removing the coupler that has the actuator built in and replacing with a regular coupler.

Thanks everyone!

Ayuh,... A tandem trailer with brakes is rated to atleast 3000 lbs...

What's the load rating of the tires,..??
Multiply x4, 'n use that as the rating...

Basically, for swappin' the coupler, buy another for the same size ball, 'n the ratings 'bout the same....
Same size frame width too of course...

For the jack,.... a standard 750/ 1000 lb'er will do...

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Trying to determine my Gross Trailer Weight and Tongue Weight

+1 to Bond-o!

We would also be remiss in not mentioning that you are certainly well over 5000lbs Gross.
No matter where you are; you are legally required to have working brakes.

Legal or not; Even for a three mile trip, you will be in major trouble with the first kid on a bike who darts into the road just to be close as the "Big Boat" goes by.

 

[EddiePetty]

Re: Trying to determine my Gross Trailer Weight and Tongue Weight

+1 to Bond-o!

We would also be remiss in not mentioning that you are certainly well over 5000lbs Gross.
No matter where you are; you are legally required to have working brakes.

Yep....even NADA Boats has a dry weight of 3500#s, add in the trailer, fuel and all your "stuff" and I'll agree that you will be bustin' 5K.
Thus your tongue weight will fall in the 500 to 600 # range.

Best check the load capacity of those trailer tires!

Do what you want regarding the brakes but shame on you if you are ever involved in an accident......automatic neglect.
Just sayin'.

 

[colbyt]

Re: Trying to determine my Gross Trailer Weight and Tongue Weight

While I very much agree with the safety warnings above, I will answer the question asked. Take your fully loaded trailer to a truck stop with scales, weight the vehicle with trailer and go through again without the trailer. A-b=c. Around here a single weigh is $10 and recheck is $2. If you go at a non peak time they are willing to play that game.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Trying to determine my Gross Trailer Weight and Tongue Weight

Your coupler is rated for GVW of the trailer. Not tongue weight. ( GTW)

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Trying to determine my Gross Trailer Weight and Tongue Weight

1 mile or 100 miles the breaks need to be working.

 

[nlain]

Re: Trying to determine my Gross Trailer Weight and Tongue Weight

Look at the current coupler, it may have the info stamped in it.

 

[massimofinance]

Re: Trying to determine my Gross Trailer Weight and Tongue Weight

Thanks everyone. So I need a 3,500 lbs coupler and a 1,000 lbs jack.

On the brakes issue, I am unclear- if the law says I need brakes for a boat that is 5,000 lbs or more, and I am at 3,500 now, why the thinking that I need brakes?

Thanks everyone.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Trying to determine my Gross Trailer Weight and Tongue Weight

What are you towing with? Even though you may be within the limits for the vehicle, the manufacturer may require brakes over a certain weight even if your state does not.

 

[massimofinance]

Re: Trying to determine my Gross Trailer Weight and Tongue Weight

What are you towing with? Even though you may be within the limits for the vehicle, the manufacturer may require brakes over a certain weight even if your state does not.

Towing with a 2004 jeep grand Cherokee v8 with the tow package and tow gear ratio in the gearbox.

Thx.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Trying to determine my Gross Trailer Weight and Tongue Weight

I'm guessing your towing capacity is on the order of 7200#, but you need to check the owner's manual regarding the need for trailer brakes. The wheelbase on your vehicle is kind of short, making brakes very desirable.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Trying to determine my Gross Trailer Weight and Tongue Weight

I'm guessing your towing capacity is on the order of 7200#, but you need to check the owner's manual regarding the need for trailer brakes. The wheelbase on your vehicle is kind of short, making brakes very desirable.

He needs to check his state laws on trailer brakes. His tow vehicle has nothing to do with it.


Towing World: Towing Laws Listed by State www.towingworld.com/articles/TowingLaws.htm

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Trying to determine my Gross Trailer Weight and Tongue Weight

Thanks everyone. So I need a 3,500 lbs coupler and a 1,000 lbs jack.

On the brakes issue, I am unclear- if the law says I need brakes for a boat that is 5,000 lbs or more, and I am at 3,500 now, why the thinking that I need brakes?

Thanks everyone.

We could give you a definitive answer if we knew where you were located.

Hint:
At the top of this page, click on "My Profile"and fill in the "Location" information. (City, State)
Notice how most everyone has their Locations showing under their names on the Left.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Trying to determine my Gross Trailer Weight and Tongue Weight

He needs to check his state laws on trailer brakes. His tow vehicle has nothing to do with it.


Towing World: Towing Laws Listed by State www.towingworld.com/articles/TowingLaws.htm

He already stated that his state requires brakes for trailers over 5000#. Chrysler (Jeep) may have other ideas.

 

[bassman284]

Re: Trying to determine my Gross Trailer Weight and Tongue Weight

According to the manual with my 97 Grand Cherokee,

Trailer brakes are required for trailers in excess of 2,000 lbs.

The GC brakes are pretty small. My boat is a little over 1,800 and I've only once needed to stop it in a hurry. I was half way into the intersection before I got 'er whoaed.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Trying to determine my Gross Trailer Weight and Tongue Weight

He still needs to go by what the state say's, not any owners manual for a car. Even if there is such a thing.
If the state say's trailers at or above a certain gross weight, he then has to or has the option to install brakes if he wants. It will depend on the STATE REQUIREMENTS. If the state says 5000lb and he comes in with 3500lbs and the sticker on the trailer says the GVW is less then 5000lb's he doesn't HAVE TO HAVE BRAKES.


Right out of the manual.
The Jeep Wrangler with the 2.5L power tech i-4. Three speed tranny
A separate brake system for all trailers weighing over 1,000 pounds gross is recommended. (State laws should be checked for trailer brake requirements.)

OP's vehicle is a 2004- v8
6,500-lb tow rating and 750-lb tongue weight rating w/V8 engine. My guess this is with a weight distribution hitch

 

[emilsr]

Re: Trying to determine my Gross Trailer Weight and Tongue Weight

Thanks everyone. So I need a 3,500 lbs coupler and a 1,000 lbs jack.

On the brakes issue, I am unclear- if the law says I need brakes for a boat that is 5,000 lbs or more, and I am at 3,500 now, why the thinking that I need brakes?

Thanks everyone.

Your boat weighs 3500 dry. Add 1,200 or so for the trailer, 300lbs for 50 gallons of gas, your gear, etc. and you're actually towing 5k+ lbs.

My last boat was listed at 3,000lbs dry; full of gas and lake ready on a steel trailer it was just under 5200lbs on the scale.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Trying to determine my Gross Trailer Weight and Tongue Weight

...Don't see where he said his rig weighed 5000lbs. He did say 3500lbs.

The boat is a 2000 SeaRay Sundeck 210, inboard/outboard, Mercruiser v8. Anyone can help me determine the GTW and Tongue weight, estimated?

The Boat alone is 3500 lbs DRY.
It is on a "Twin Axle LoadRite Trailer". Add another 800-1000 lbs.
Add fuel and gear and you are easily over #5000.

 

[massimofinance]

Re: Trying to determine my Gross Trailer Weight and Tongue Weight

Thanks all, I am in CT.

While I determine the brakes issue (appreciate all the feedback). I had another question. I am taking off my rims and re placing my bearings, races, seals, grease- is there anything else I need to do in terms of trailer maintainence? When I do drive, it creaks a bit and the leaf springs look rusty, but I am not sure what would be suspect? Thx...