Trailer rating questions

[TBarCYa]

I have a 16' car trailer that has dual axles with 5 lug wheels and electric brakes on both axles. I have no information about this trailer regarding it's capacity as I believe it's a homemade trailer. Does anyone have a suggestion for how to determine the capacity of this trailer? I think the 5 lug wheels indicates it's a 7000lb trailer but I don't know for sure.

Any help is appreciated.

Edit: I forgot to mention that they are straight round axles as well.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Trailer rating questions

The key factors will be: 1) number of spring leafs 2) total tire capacity (check the sidewall for weight) and 3) bearing sizes. Pull one of the wheels and check the rear bearing. If it's a 1-3/8 inch inner diameter the axles are rated 3500 pounds each. But since you feel it was home made, incorrect springs may have been installed and tires with a total weight capacity of less than 7000 pounds may have been installed.

 

[TBarCYa]

Re: Trailer rating questions

I did some more research and it looks like all of the hardware is for a 7000lb trailer. It's well built but there's no vin plate which is why I'm thinking homemade. I'm a fabricator from a previous life (temporary hiatus from IT) and it's built how I would have done it except I probably would have built a steel deck instead of wood.

Thanks.