trailer max capacity being under used, question

[bob johnson]

so I am in the market for a dual axle trailer...because my boat is making my 1875 lb tires moan even with 50 PSI in them!! I COULD just add another axle, but I found a newer high quality trailer that's plenty long enough and has two axles.. BUT....it is rated to 6,800 lbs!! my boat might be 2000 even with the motor and the possible wet foam under the floor... will I have enough preload( for a lack of a better term) on the suspension...or will this rig bounce like crazy down the road.. and all my nuts and bolts will be lose when I get to the ramp???

thanks

bob

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,...... I'd much rather have an over-built wagon, than an under-built wagon,....

 

[bob johnson]

so does overbuilt, ever become a hinderance....ie Sherman tank to commute to work in, comes to mind!!

bob

 

[Bondo]

so does overbuilt, ever become a hinderance....ie Sherman tank to commute to work in, comes to mind!!

bob

Ayuh,...... If by chance yer concerns bore true, the fix could be as simple as lettin' some air outa the tires,....

At worst, ya pull a leaf or 2 outa the springs,...

 

[JimS123]

I "upgraded" a trailer once just like you suggest. My purpose was to carry a tom of stuff when we went on camping vacations. Those times, when the trailer was just slightly under capacity, she rode fine. But, around town without the load the thing bounced terribly.

 

[Starcraft5834]

have u weighed your rig? what's your current axle capacity? more trailer is always better, but perhaps not necessary..

 

[bob johnson]

it has torsion springs!!!!!!!!!!!!!! tires, with low air can pop the bead.... I have seen it happen on a buddies snow mobile trailer..... little bit of swaying and he rolls the bead right off the rim....

as much as I think the trailer is a great deal... I still want to hear others views of what might be in store down the line... I guess I can horse trade later and be on the uphill side of the trade!

bob

 

[smokeonthewater]

Bob, this trailer is rated at 6800 lbs.... sooo it weighs @900 lbs and has @750 lbs tongue weight ans it has 3500 lb axles.... 6800-3500 is 3300 lbs..... remove one axle and adjust the remaining axle for correct tongue weight and as the aussies put it Bob's your uncle!

 

[bob johnson]

actually it weighs 1350 lbs......I have a single axle trailer now.... I want a dual axle trailer...

bob

 

[smokeonthewater]

in that case this is probably the wrong trailer... buy it cheap and sell it or trade w boot for the right trailer

 

[redneck joe]

someone here told me I shouldn't use more spring than needed it will hurt the boat. Not sure buy that and used them anyway - have about a 1500 lbs 'buffer' even assuming a fully loaded boat (fuel, wifes crap, and stuff)

That said - what is your actual tire type - what is your rating? I went with an E from a C, and larger to a 15" and they are perfect - no more 'groaning'. Big difference and probably cheaper than replacing trailer. Plus you won't have to re-adjust all the bunks which is not too much fun.


http://www.etrailer.com/faq-trailer-tire-frequently-asked-questions.aspx

 

[bassman284]

Sounds to me like you have plenty of trailer right now but if you're craving a tandem, go for it. Maybe get a diesel dually to pull, just to be sure.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Yeah honestly sounds like you MAY have crap tires (what do you mean "moan"?) but IF the boat is 2000 lbs your current trailer is perfect and I can't see ANY good reason to go to a tandem trailer for that boat.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Sounds to me like you have plenty of trailer right now but if you're craving a tandem, go for it. Maybe get a diesel dually to pull, just to be sure.

Yep. At 2000#s I sure wouldn't be getting a tandem, but that's me. My boat is 1200# dry with no gear, batteries, anchors, fuel(21gal), oil etc and my single axle works just fine. That 6800# is way too much trailer. But I'm not spending the $s.

bassman, I've seen diesels pulling v-hull 16' fishing boats.

 

[Blind Date]

I'm new here and don't know Bob's situation but a tandem under a boat that weighs 2K lbs. just seems crazy to me. His boat isn't as heavy as my 18' Carlson and the single axle trailer under that is plenty and then some.

 

[smokeonthewater]

kinda like a bear eating dinner.... what does my diesel dually pull? ANYTHING it wants to!

 

[H20Rat]

tandem for a 2000# boat? Yeah if you stack two of them on top of each other! Why anyone would willingly want the complications and cost of a tandem is beyond me...

 

[bonz_d]

I'll bite,
The 16' Alumacraft I have now came with a 4 year old Shoreland'r trailer with a 2500# capacity. Boat fully loaded maybe goes 1300# with the kids riding in it. It pulled like that tank and yes it did bounce around. It was also a bear to try and move around the driveway. I used that trailer for about 2 months before I found the exact same trailer in a 1700# capacity model. Now both I and the boat are much happier and it also made a big difference when pulling it with my GMC Canyon.

 

[bob johnson]

for some reason I am thinking now my boat weighs more than I had thought... it was a roughly 1250 lb hull, then a 350 lb motor, two big batteries, two 9 gallons gas tanks, a hydraulic jack plate, two gun boxes, three anchors....some tools... I figured 2000 lbs about. the tires are actually rated to 1750, I made a mistake on the previous #...so two should theoretically match my 3500 lb axle. the trailer weighs 900 lbs alone...so I am running at about 3000 lbs. now I suspect, the foam under the floor might have absorbed water ... the boat has filled with water to the floor several times over its life...

the tires look like they need air, but the pressure is at 55lbs!!! they are 15" rims maybe 225's the treads wear shows under inflation....the outsides wear more than the middle.... so I am thinking... I need to move up in trailer capacity, as well as get some brakes... I have never seen a tire rated for more than 1750 lbs...at least I didn't see one listed where I bought trailer parts. I also have planned to tear the boat down and check the flotation. Plus I like the security of four tires...I get a blowout, and I have less chance of losing control...because the trailer will still roll straight. my boat is aluminum, so I was concerned the boat may take a beating with the stronger springs..just thought id get some more opinions.

bob

 

[bruceb58]

Why don't you weigh what you have?

You can get 15" tires rated up to 2800# in a load range E if you want. If you have a trailer tire and it is rated at #1750, you are at the low end range for 15" tires.

There is no way I would put your boat on a trailer rated for 6800#. It will take a beating.