Trailer Over Capacity?

1stgenbird

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Aug 5, 2009
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I am thinking my trailer may too light a capacity for my boat. My boat is a 19' I/O and although the capacity tag is unreadable, I believe it is about 2000lbs.
The trailer is an EZ-Loader roller that is a 1990's model that I bought a couple of years ago but any tags have faded so I am not sure what the capacity is.
The boat fits fine on the trailer but I just noticed the inside of both tires are very worn which I read is an indication that the boat is too heavy for the trailer and the axle is sagging.
I am probably going to replace the axle with a larger capacity one rather than get a new trailer. I think the existing axle is a 2000# axle but how can I be sure what the axle capacity is? It's 2" x 2" galvanized and both the 2000# and 3500# axles come in that size.
 

Silvertip

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Sep 22, 2003
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Or check the axle carefully for a spot-welded tag indicating it's capacity. Failing that -- light duty (1500 - 2000#) axles may have 1 inch or 1-1/16 bearings with 1-1/16 being the most common for both inner and outer. 3000 - 3500# axles will have a 1-3/8 inner bearing with a 1-1/6 outer. Tire size may also be a clue. If the trailer has 5.70 x 12 or smaller tires, it is likely a 2000# axle although someone may have installed 13 inch wheels and tires. The axle, springs, and tires determine what the load capacity of a trailer is. So just changing the axle does not increase the load capacity.
 
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smokeonthewater

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Dec 3, 2009
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who cares what's in it now... take the rig to a scale and get it weighed... IF the total weight is more then 2000 lbs but less than 3500 lbs then get a 3500 lb axle and make sure you have the correct tires rated at 1750 each... IF it's over 3500 lbs get a different trailer.
 

JoshOnt

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Aug 12, 2013
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487
What boat do you have? Look at the iboats specs page and see if it is in there. Might say the weight but I am thinking you need to go to 3500 lb axle
 

1stgenbird

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What boat do you have? Look at the iboats specs page and see if it is in there. Might say the weight but I am thinking you need to go to 3500 lb axle

Only has the specs for an outboard model, not an I/O.
 

1stgenbird

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Or check the axle carefully for a spot-welded tag indicating it's capacity. Failing that -- light duty (1500 - 2000#) axles may have 1 inch or 1-1/16 bearings with 1-1/16 being the most common for both inner and outer. 3000 - 3500# axles will have a 1-3/8 inner bearing with a 1-1/6 outer. Tire size may also be a clue. If the trailer has 5.70 x 12 or smaller tires, it is likely a 2000# axle although someone may have installed 13 inch wheels and tires. The axle, springs, and tires determine what the load capacity of a trailer is. So just changing the axle does not increase the load capacity.

Thanks for the info on the bearing sizes. Very informative.
 

1stgenbird

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Aug 5, 2009
Messages
397
Or check the axle carefully for a spot-welded tag indicating it's capacity. Failing that -- light duty (1500 - 2000#) axles may have 1 inch or 1-1/16 bearings with 1-1/16 being the most common for both inner and outer. 3000 - 3500# axles will have a 1-3/8 inner bearing with a 1-1/6 outer. Tire size may also be a clue. If the trailer has 5.70 x 12 or smaller tires, it is likely a 2000# axle although someone may have installed 13 inch wheels and tires. The axle, springs, and tires determine what the load capacity of a trailer is. So just changing the axle does not increase the load capacity.

205/78-14 load range C tires. 1750 lbs per tire.
 

Frank Acampora

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Jan 19, 2007
Messages
12,004
While axles, tires, and springs are important to weight capacity, so is the frame. If it is "C" channel or small 3 inch square tubing the capacity will not be more than 2500 pounds no matter what axle you put on it.
 

1stgenbird

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The capaicity tag for the boat will tell you nothing about what the boat weighs.

Not correct. Many capacity plates tell the total weight of a boat with passengers, gear, and engine.
 

smokeonthewater

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No they don't... They tell you the total weight of passengers and gear (plus motor IF outboard) ALLOWED but do not include the weight of the boat
 

sailor55330

Seaman Apprentice
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Aug 16, 2013
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I think your boat is probably more than 2000. I have a 19ft Glastron I/O and the dry weight on it is 3046. Now, without knowing if the boat is aluminum, glass, or what, it's hard to say for certain, but 2,000 seems pretty light.
 

1stgenbird

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Aug 5, 2009
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I installed a 3500lb axle, new springs, and new galvy hubs and bearings. The old axle was in rough shape and the old leaf springs broke in half when I removed them. All is good.
 
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1stgenbird

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Roscoe,

Thanks. Yes it was a job well done. The next day I towed 60 miles to Lake Winnisquam in NH with no worries at all.
 
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