LoadRite Bandit overloaded?

[Mark42]

I have a brand new LoadRite Bandit (BDT141000) rated at 1180 GVW (trailer weight is 180lbs). The boat is listed as 520lbs, motor 185, fuel, battery, accessories aprox 150lbs. So I figure that the total load on the trailer is less than 900 lbs. The tongue weight is 100lbs.<br /><br />Problem: Last night I noticed that the leaf springs were close to flat, still bowed, but riding low. So I used a lever system and bathroom scale to measure the weight of one back tire. It read 190lbs at a 4:1 ratio, that meant that the weight was 760lbs on one tire! Holy cow! So I changed the lever system so that it was measuring only 50% of the weight and I stopped lowering the floor jack when the scale hit it max at 300lbs. I could have let more weight onto it, but didn't want to break the scale.<br /><br />This info means that I am way over the gvw for this trailer. Where is all the weight coming from? Could the foam in the floor be holding water? This is only a 14 foot boat, so I can't figure out where the weight is coming from.

 

[Mark42]

Re: LoadRite Bandit overloaded?

Here is an update on my situation:<br /><br />Towed the trailer to the loacal truck stop and weighted it on the truck scales. It weighed in at 1280lbs with tongue still attached to the truck. I have about 90lbs tongue weight. So... either the scales for weighing trucks are not too accurate when it comes to less than a ton or so.... or the specs for the weight of the trailer and/or boat are wrong... or I am carrying hidden weight in water soaked foam.<br /><br />At any rate, the leaf springs are riding low.<br /><br />I think I will do two things:<br />1) attach a shop vac to the under floor "bilge" drain and see if any water is sucked out that shouldn't be there.<br />2) move the boat farther forward on the trailer to up the tongue weight from 90lbs to 175lbs.<br /><br />Will keep you posted.

 

[djvan]

Re: LoadRite Bandit overloaded?

Those truck scales are NOT wrong, that is a huge fine (so I'm told).<br /><br />DougV>

 

[nimmor]

Re: LoadRite Bandit overloaded?

Here in Ky the scales are checked constantly to be sure they are calibrated. I would say those scales are acurate. How difficult would it be to check your foam to see if it is retaining water? Even if it is difficult it probaly would be worth checking.

 

[Mark42]

Re: LoadRite Bandit overloaded?

Last night I looked into the floor through the transom drain plug hole. The floor is fiberglass with a corrigated fiberglass support between it and the hull. The corrigated sections that are open on the top are foamed(according to a brochure I saw) and the ones facing down are open for drainage. Basically the alternating sections of the corrigated support are foamed. What I see through the drain hole is just an open space about 10" wide and it is clean. So I can't see into the foamed sections. Will drill a hole in the floor and probe. <br /><br />This link shows the floor construction: MFG Brochure

 

[Mark42]

Re: LoadRite Bandit overloaded?

Update:<br /><br />I have been working on the interior of the boat. Took out the seats and carpets and got a good look into the foam through some 3/4" holes drilled in the fiberglass floor. As best as I can tell, there is a minimal amount of foam in the floor, and what I see is damp, but when squeezed, does not seem to be holding water like a sponge.<br /><br />So I am still scratching my head about this.<br /><br />The trailer dealer said if the springs are not flat, the trailer is not overloaded. My springs are not flat, but they are coming close.<br /><br />I see that a heaver set of open eye slipper springs are available, 1000lbs each, that will put me in the safty zone, but then I need to go to a "C" rated tire to match load capacity to be on the safe side, right?

 

[b.gagnon]

Re: LoadRite Bandit overloaded?

I have a 1971 12' MFG cartop fisherman. Mfg claimed that the boat weighed 125lbs, but it takes two people to pick it up(feels more like 180-200). I have never actually weighed it so I can not say for sure.

 

[b.gagnon]

Re: LoadRite Bandit overloaded?

NADA says my boat weighs 375!!!!

 

[Mark42]

Re: LoadRite Bandit overloaded?

Update 8/13/04:<br /><br />Funny thing... After gutting the inside of the boat, the old soggy carpet, the old soggy upholstry, all the junk under the seats, tools, etc, etc, etc... Opened up the access to the under side of the floor and let it dry for a few weeks, and then the trailer raised up! Then in went new dry carpet, new dry seats, and only the stuff that is needed, and the leaf springs still have an arch to them.<br /><br />So the problem was all the water that was being held in old carpet and seats, and all the junk in the boat that I didn't account for.<br /><br />From now on, its only mandatory equipment in the boat while its on the trailer.<br /><br />Funny how weight builds up right under your nose!