Need Load Capacity for Montgomery Ward Trailer

[Goatman24]

I've got a Montgomery Ward small boat trailer and want to put a 17' Siren (750lbs) on it but wanted to make sure the capacity is adequate. This is all I can make out from the Manufactures plate which is hard to read.

Sea King Boat Trailer
Model PDH- 8968
Serial No. 06X-42632
Mfgd Expressly for Montgomery Ward & Co. U.S.A.
Dutton-Lonson Co.Hastings, New York
Recommended Tire Pressures
Tire sizes = 400 x 8 or 500 x 8.

There are coil springs and what looks like a shock absorber behind each.
The frame is mostly L-Shaped pieces welded together.

If I can find my camera I will add pictures asap to help describe it. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Thanks

 

[MTboatguy]

I had one of those combinations, it should handle 750lb just fine, I would not worry one bit putting a 750lb boat on it.

 

[smokeonthewater]

The tires should be rated at 750 lbs each... Not always but USUALLY tire rating is very close to trailer rating..... Should be a 1000 lb axle at the very least so yeah a 750 lb boat should be no problem...

Now that said... Add a 200 lb motor, 50 lb gas tank, 30 lb trolling motor, 60 lb battery, 70 lb cooler, 20 lb anchor, etc and things could get out of hand.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Pay close attention to the frame and axle. If it has a bent steel "U" shaped axle or if it truly only has "L" shaped frame members, it is not sufficient for the weight you are wanting to tow.

For years, I had a Sears trailer with 4.80 X 8 tires rated at 500 lbs. I towed a 700 pound Glastron V153 15 foot closed deck fiberglass runabout with a 90 HP engine. All up weight including the trailer was about 1100-1200 pounds The axle was the "U" shaped one with spindles welded on. Although it towed well, not only did it eventually bend the axle, but it bent the attachment at the spindles. That axle needs replacement because even after straightening it the wheels have a noticeable camber and the tires wear on the inside.