How does one tell trailer capacity in terms of length?

[gerg1962]

Hello,
About two weeks ago I aquired a 24' Reinell boat with a trailer. As it turns out the boat probably will not be worth repairing (bad out drive and stuck motor) but the trailer is in good enough shape for me to want to keep it.

My question is how do you determine what length of boat the trailer will accomodate?

Not sure how old it is perhaps as old as the boat, 1971 and I think it is a e-z loader but there are no longer any identifying marks on it.

The hull of the 24' is fully supported. Would it be okay to have the back of a boat hang off the end a foot or two or should it be fully supported?

I am already looking at other boats without trailers and wondered if there is a rule of thumb or some sort of formula to figure this out?

Any advice apprecaited.

Thanks,

Craig

 

[O-fishal]

Re: How does one tell trailer capacity in terms of length?

There should be weights stamped on the axles

 

[Cheetah 210es]

Re: How does one tell trailer capacity in terms of length?

You need the transom supported.

 

[DBreskin]

Re: How does one tell trailer capacity in terms of length?

Trailer length is usually measured from the winch post to the last roller or the end of the bunks. Keep in mind the winch post may be adjustable fore and aft.

Outboard-powered boats must have the transom supported; on a roller trailer the rearmost roller should be within an inch of the transom. This is needed to avoid a hooked hull.

Inboard or sterndrive boats have a little more flexibility with regard to support placement. The motor weight is on the stringers, so there's less risk of hooking the hull. I have the rearmost rollers on my trailer about 3 inches from the transom but I could probably allow 12 inches without any problem.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: How does one tell trailer capacity in terms of length?

A good rule of thumb is that overall trailer length should be 10% longer than overall boat length not including (non integrated) swim platform

IE 20' boat needs 22' trailer and 25' boat needs 27.5' trailer..... this is just a starting point tho.... could go either way depending on the specific boat and trailer

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: How does one tell trailer capacity in terms of length?

If the trailer is structurally sound, the strength of the axles is the determining factor. And, you've got to allow for the weight of the trailer frame, axles and wheels before you allow for the weight of the boat.

Most regular boat trailers with 14" or 15" tires and wheels have 3500 pound axles. The 5000 lb. axles will be running 16" wheels and tires.

Another factor to consider is whether the tires are actually ST rated trailer tires. Most old trailers are running used automobile tires, and not stiff walled "trailer tires." If your boat and trailer weight is pushing near the maximum weight allowed, it should have trailer tires inflated to the maximum pounds allowed. Those ST tires are very expensive to purchase, and they really don't last that miles.

See ChampionTrailers.com for everything you ever wanted to know about trailers of every kind.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: How does one tell trailer capacity in terms of length?

he asked about LENGTH, not weight BUT fwiw my trailer with 5200 lb axles runs 15" tires on 6 lug rims

 

[Outsider]

Re: How does one tell trailer capacity in terms of length?

Measure your trailer from end of bunks to winch stand + length winch stand could reasonably be moved forward = total maximum length of boat reasonably suitable for the trailer. With that done, now you have to determine maximum weight for the trailer. Axle weight rating is usually tagged on the axle somewhere, maximum weight rating for wheels is on the tire sidewall. Call a trailer dealer, he should be able to give you ball park numbers for what you have. Remember max weight for the trailer includes weight of the boat (as loaded) + weight of the trailer. Once you've done all that, then you have to determine if a boat in mind is suitable for the trailer. If you max out the length by moving the winch stand all the way forward, tongue weight probably becomes a factor. You can mitigate a problem there if you can move your axle(s) forward or backward; not all can be moved.

I feel weight of the boat is the limiting factor for my trailers. You can put a small boat on a long trailer and it just looks funny. Put a heavy boat on an inadequate trailer and you will have problems later if not sooner. Best to consult the manufacturer, or at least one who deals with boat trailers on a daily basis ...

 

[gerg1962]

Re: How does one tell trailer capacity in terms of length?

All good advise, looks like I have some research to do!

The tires on there now are old auto tires, and I mean old! There is air showing through! I think Hank Williams Sr. said that in a song once.

Anyway, thanks for the input!

Craig

 

[Thalasso]

Re: How does one tell trailer capacity in terms of length?

Measure your trailer from end of bunks to winch stand + length winch stand could reasonably be moved forward = total maximum length of boat reasonably suitable for the trailer. With that done, now you have to determine maximum weight for the trailer. Axle weight rating is usually tagged on the axle somewhere, maximum weight rating for wheels is on the tire sidewall. Call a trailer dealer, he should be able to give you ball park numbers for what you have. Remember max weight for the trailer includes weight of the boat (as loaded) + weight of the trailer. Once you've done all that, then you have to determine if a boat in mind is suitable for the trailer. If you max out the length by moving the winch stand all the way forward, tongue weight probably becomes a factor. You can mitigate a problem there if you can move your axle(s) forward or backward; not all can be moved.

I feel weight of the boat is the limiting factor for my trailers. You can put a small boat on a long trailer and it just looks funny. Put a heavy boat on an inadequate trailer and you will have problems later if not sooner. Best to consult the manufacturer, or at least one who deals with boat trailers on a daily basis ...

Remember max weight for the trailer includes weight of the boat (as loaded) + weight of the trailer. How do you figure that max weight for the trailer includes weight of trailer and boat. ( Max weight for trailer is ) GCW =load weight GVW= load and trailer.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: How does one tell trailer capacity in terms of length?

There should be weights stamped on the axles

Or a tag ( if it hasn't disapered ) on the tounge telling you all the info you need as far as telling you the weights. Which will give you an idea of how big a boat you can put on it. Can the winch post be moved forward and how far?

 

[dingbat]

Re: How does one tell trailer capacity in terms of length?

Another factor to consider is whether the tires are actually ST rated trailer tires. Most old trailers are running used automobile tires, and not stiff walled "trailer tires."

So radial ST tires are inferior to bias ply ST tires?

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: How does one tell trailer capacity in terms of length?

I would choose ST radials over ST bias belted tires. The deal is that ST's are trailer tires, and they're meant to be run at full air pressure. They also don't wallow under heavy loads--like soft sidewall car tires.

I have a 3500 lb. single axle landscape trailer (5x10), and my tires are good quality car tires. But, my heaviest load is a 550 pound zero turn mower or a four wheeler. If I had a $20,000 2000 pound boat on a trailer, I'd surely invest in quality ST tires meant for a trailer.