What does a small boat trailer weigh?

[Lootas1]

I bought a used Calkin trailer Model Z-14-600 and I can't license it without giving the DOL its weight. I have a plate on it that give VIN, GVWR and Max. Capacity and such but not the actual weight of the trailer. The DOL tells me I must take it to a weigh station and have it weighed but, to tow it, I need a license which I can't get until I get a weight. Okay, I can get a temporary permit to move it but to take it to a scale involves removing the boat from it, taking is across on a ferry to a town 22 miles away. Seems they don't need some certificate, just a number. It is light enough that I can pick up one wheel. What kind of number might sound reasonable? Maybe 200 lbs?

 

[scoutabout]

Re: What does a small boat trailer weigh?

I had the same issue licensing a trailer I bought in the US. The Ministry of Frustra....er....Transportation here in Canada told me I had to get it weighed and present a formal printout from a weigh station.

Anyway, it doesn't sound like you've got that hassle but I was surprised at how heavy it actually was. So, for comparison with yours, mine is a galvanized, single axle, bunk style trailer for the boat you see in my signature - a 17 foot runabout. From lights to hitch it's about 20 feet long. Weight - 500 pounds.

I would have eyeballed it at 300 max, but there you go.

 

[Lootas1]

Re: What does a small boat trailer weigh?

Mine is single axel galvenized and carries a 12 foot boat which hangs a couple of feet beyond the end of the trailer. Think I'll tell them it weighs 244 pounds. It is a tiny little thing with no spare tire or heavy bunks.

 

[64osby]

Re: What does a small boat trailer weigh?

Get three bathroom scales and put them under it. Add them up and see what you have.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: What does a small boat trailer weigh?

Actually if you go back to math class a bathroom scale will work fine. http://www.ehow.com/how_7622137_weigh-trailer-bathroom-scale.html

 

[DonHof]

Re: What does a small boat trailer weigh?

The DMV just ask me what the boat weighs and went with that. I have the smallest plate you can put on a trailer.

 

[dragginanchor]

Re: What does a small boat trailer weigh?

Subtract your max capacity from your GVWR and there ya go. See if it seems reasonable and use that as the weight.

 

[Cincyrunner]

Re: What does a small boat trailer weigh?

You may have to get that weight slip signed and notarized at a certified scale. Most certified scales can notarize your weight slip and put the embossed seal on it.

We have the same requirement to register trailers in Ohio, and I just went through this process when I bought my boat this past winter. Since it's a Four Winns boat and trailer, I called the local Four Winns dealer for help on where/how to get the trailer weighed without the boat (thinking they get asked this question a million times). They said just bring the weight slip down to the dealer, and don't bother bringing the boat and trailer. Since they sell the trailers, they know how much their trailers weigh. So I was in and out of there in minutes, with a properly signed and notarized weight ticket.

 

[Fishing Dude too]

Re: What does a small boat trailer weigh?

In Ohio here all I have ever done is just go to the local grain elevator and have it weighed (no boat), take weight slip to DMV.