Is my boat trailer under size

[Hellibut]

I have a 20 NR Seahawk. In my quest to add another axle to my trailer I was told the single axle trailer I have was undersize and should have never been put under the boat. The gross carrying weight for my trailer is 3750. I just weighed the boat dry and including the trailer it weighed in at 3750. If I added gear and a full tank of gas we're talking another 400+ lbs. Is this trailer under size and just wondering what trailer other Seahawk owners have.

[MattPark]

Most single axle trailers of that size have 5 lug, 3500lb axles. Many boats in that size range use those axles, and even though they may technically be overweight, don't have any issues. My boat is included in that category, it weighs 4100lbs with a tank of fuel and gear. The biggest issue is having tires that are at, or over their limit with that weight. Each of my tires are rated at 2500lbs, and I've never had an issue.

I wouldn't worry about the axle itself, but keep your bearings maintained and correct pressure in your tires.

[Hellibut]

Most single axle trailers of that size have 5 lug, 3500lb axles. Many boats in that size range use those axles, and even though they may technically be overweight, don't have any issues. My boat is included in that category, it weighs 4100lbs with a tank of fuel and gear. The biggest issue is having tires that are at, or over their limit with that weight. Each of my tires are rated at 2500lbs, and I've never had an issue.

I wouldn't worry about the axle itself, but keep your bearings maintained and correct pressure in your tires.
I've had this boat and trailer now for 7 years and while I don't have that many miles on it I have had some issues with bearings. I never even thought to look at the GVWR on the trailer itself. I bought the boat new and am really surprised the dealer would do this. At the time I ordered it, had they said I needed a bigger trailer I certainly would have got it. Now that I think about it I'm not even sure it's legal? I'm thinking the GVWR on the trailer includes the weight of everything including the trailer.

[baitsauce]

You're fine. Don't give it another thought. Run it.

Whoever told you the "gross carrying weight" of the trailer is 3750lbs probably got that confused with what the axel is rated for. A properly loaded trailer has 10 to 15% of the trailer's weight sitting on the toungue. So to get the real "gross carrying weight" of the trailer then add the 10 to 15% to the rating of the axel.

Most of us have had "issues" with wheel bearings. Especially those of us who run in the salt. Having said that I haven't had an issue with mine since I made some minor modifications.

Back to the subject, like Matt said, put some good tires on it and run it. Even though you say you don't have that many miles on it, the trailer would probably have failed by now if it was going to. There's a lot of engineering put into them. Some say they're even over engineered and built a lot stronger than they need.

Mine weighs 3600lbs (with the boat on it of course). I have no reservations about running it even though the axel is "only" rated at 3750lbs. It's even taken trips to Montana and Idaho several times. Of course this is in addition to the countless trips to the coast and central Oregon.

But if your'e still worried about it, just change out the axel to a 5200lb. Like you asked about on http://www.ifish.net/board/showthread.php?t=264079



:twocents:

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[Hellibut]

Whoever told you the "gross carrying weight" of the trailer is 3750lbs probably got that confused with what the axel is rated for.
//
No one, "told me", the "gross carrying weight". After I was told the trailer may be under size I got to looking and noticed the manufacturers plate on it. Just like a vehicle it has a max weight allowed for the trailer. In this case that max weight is 3750. With a full tank of fuel and all my gear I know at times I've been pushing 4500+. I like to error on the side of caution. I may go for 7 more years and never have a problem but then on the other hand it could come apart tomorrow. It kinda makes a guy wonder.

[baitsauce]

No one, "told me", the "gross carrying weight". After I was told the trailer may be under size I got to looking and noticed the manufacturers plate on it. Just like a vehicle it has a max weight allowed for the trailer. In this case that max weight is 3750. With a full tank of fuel and all my gear I know at times I've been pushing 4500+. I like to error on the side of caution. I may go for 7 more years and never have a problem but then on the other hand it could come apart tomorrow. It kinda makes a guy wonder.


Since you already have your mind made up why are you asking us? :shrug:

Good luck

[Hellibut]

Since you already have your mind made up why are you asking us? :shrug:

Good luck
Since you asked BS I will tell you.... it used to be that a guy could ask a question on this board and get some good answers, now you get this. You can tell me all day long not to worry and I'm in good shape but what are you basing this on. Am I to understand that everyone is running trailers with a gross carrying weight that is less than their boat so just keep on trucking.
Since you seem to have all the answers maybe you can inform me as to what I have my mind made up to?

[tallswedeone]

Have you had bearing failures each year that have left you on the side of the road? As a matter of good maintenance do you repack your bearings every year? I think since you have been running this for the past seven years that the trailer has proven itself. I would probably be a little hesitant about traveling with a full load of fuel and a lot of extra gear unless it is a short ride to the boat ramp.

[fishkisser]

Yes it is ... PM sent ...

[BIGCSS]

I'm a firm believer in having a trailer with some extra capacity for the times when you are carrying extra gear and full fuel. Also a trailer that has some extra capacity tends to be built a little stronger, thus less flex when driving down the road and also they tend to track straighter and tow better. I also prefer having a tandem so that in the case of a bearing failure while out on the road aren't going to be stuck at the side of the road for long, you can pull the wheel off and limp home or to the nearest place for repairs(been there done that unfortunately). If you have springs you do have to jack that axle up and chain it, so that it doesn't droop, but if it's torsion you don't have to do anything other than pull the wheel off. I also think that there are better built trailers than others and that you get what you pay for. Also on your feeling that it should be illegal for dealers to put trailers under the boats that aren't correctly sized, I totally agree. Most people don't realize the dealers generally put the cheapest trailer they can under the boat, to keep the price down, but in reality for 90% of the people that own boats, the trailer should be the most important thing other than the hull, since it's what gets the boat to the water. Anyhow that's my :twocents:.

[Hellibut]

I'm a firm believer in having a trailer with some extra capacity for the times when you are carrying extra gear and full fuel. Also a trailer that has some extra capacity tends to be built a little stronger, thus less flex when driving down the road and also they tend to track straighter and tow better. I also prefer having a tandem so that in the case of a bearing failure while out on the road aren't going to be stuck at the side of the road for long, you can pull the wheel off and limp home or to the nearest place for repairs(been there done that unfortunately). If you have springs you do have to jack that axle up and chain it, so that it doesn't droop, but if it's torsion you don't have to do anything other than pull the wheel off. I also think that there are better built trailers than others and that you get what you pay for. Also on your feeling that it should be illegal for dealers to put trailers under the boats that aren't correctly sized, I totally agree. Most people don't realize the dealers generally put the cheapest trailer they can under the boat, to keep the price down, but in reality for 90% of the people that own boats, the trailer should be the most important thing other than the hull, since it's what gets the boat to the water. Anyhow that's my :twocents:.
Could not have said it better myself. Thank you. According to what I got from ODOT today if a boat weighs more than the trailer allows for it is illegal to trailer it down a state highway. In essence the dealer sold me an illegal trailer.

[OB1]

I thought that my 4700# trailer that came with my 07 20FT Seahawk with a 150HP and 8HP Honda was on over kill until I came back from the last halibut trip and stopped at the weigh station, on the two rear wheels it said I was at 4400#.

[jdhogg]

sir
just be sure as stated your tires are capable for the load.the only thing that wood matter is the bridge length,long enuff for the weight.

[micropeterous]

sir
just be sure as stated your tires are capable for the load.the only thing that wood matter is the bridge length,long enuff for the weight.


Go to Schwabs and buy a couple of load range E 10 ply tires and drive away and have no worries about your towing as long as you take care of your wheel bearings. The trailer is all about how much weight you put on each tire. If you are well under the max for the tire you are good to go.

[Sea Saw]

Yes.
Now go buy a bigger boat ... and make sure you get the right trailer this time.

[jdhogg]

to measure the bridge length you go from the coupler on the trailer to the center of the hub on the axle,if 2 axles to the center of rear axle hub,take that and call dot.but remember the weight must be distributed equally,this is where also the tongue weight comes it.each axle is designed for a designated amount of weight plus the tongue weight

[Doc_Rhen]

Your best source of information is certainly ODOT. Yes an undersized trailer will probably work just fine but just for the sake of argument lets say that you get into an accident. The accident is just that an accident, no fault assigned at the scene but there are injuries. When the insurance layers get involved to clear-up the injury claims they identify the undersized trailer and suddenly you become liable for all injuries. Maybe you can fight the claims maybe not but wouldn't it be better if you were running a legal capacity trailer and avoided the issues?

[Hellibut]

Yes.
Now go buy a bigger boat ... and make sure you get the right trailer this time.
This sounds like something my son-in-law would say.

Your best source of information is certainly ODOT. Yes an undersized trailer will probably work just fine but just for the sake of argument lets say that you get into an accident. The accident is just that an accident, no fault assigned at the scene but there are injuries. When the insurance layers get involved to clear-up the injury claims they identify the undersized trailer and suddenly you become liable for all injuries. Maybe you can fight the claims maybe not but wouldn't it be better if you were running a legal capacity trailer and avoided the issues?
You are absolutely 100% correct. I am currently waiting to hear back the legalities of what transpired as far as getting the trailer in the first place. Regardless, it will have a tandem axle or heavier single very soon.

[Salmonid]

I had this same question about four years ago when shopping for a boat. It was also a NR, 20 Trapper. Dry weight was 2650 lbs and the trailer it came with was a single axle gvw 3750. Weight of the trailer was 1000 lbs. I questioned the dealer and was told that it would be fine. I pointed out that once I filled the tank, the trailer would be over capacity, not to mention outfitting the boat, fishing, camping, crabbing gear, etc. They would not upgrade the trailer, at least not for a reasonable price. It killed the deal and I really liked the boat. Turns out I ended up with a TJ with a heavy duty Tricker trailer rated for 5700lbs gvw.

I tend to err on the side of caution. If it were me, I'd get a new trailer, either a single axle hd or a tandem and set the worries asside.

[jimh]

Hellibut, I think I'd go double axle. One of the benefits is if you lose a tire, you aren't on the ground. Besides I think you are over for the weight rating. I think most of the newer aluminum boats have double axles.