Quick question on trailer load

[Dan 100]

Hello all,
I have a small trailer (4-EZTB-14 600) that is rated for 600 pounds. The trailer is a galvanized trailer that has hardly been used - it's about six years old. No rust, solid bolts.

I have the opportunity to pick up a Siren 17 sailboat. The boat is indicated as weighing 750 pounds. I know I would be pushing it, but is 150# over a big deal? The centerboard weighs 150#, if I could drop that out and put that in the car I'd feel better about it all.

Thoughts?

Many thanks,
Dan

 

[Bondo]

Re: Quick question on trailer load

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,... It's rated for 600 lbs for a Reason, 'n it's Never a good idea to exceed that ratin'....

Matter of fact, I try to stay 10% Under the ratin'...

 

[Dan 100]

Re: Quick question on trailer load

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,... It's rated for 600 lbs for a Reason, 'n it's Never a good idea to exceed that ratin'....

Matter of fact, I try to stay 10% Under the ratin'...

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, I know...it's just a really good deal that I'd hate to pass up. The boat wouldn't live on the trailer - it would be for a one time 25 mile slow ride to the ramp and then the boat would be tied up at a small slip. But you're right. And I know better. I was just wondering if any folks here had pushed it with trailer weight for a short run. I never have - all my trailers in the past have been properly rated.

Dan

 

[JoLin]

Re: Quick question on trailer load

I'm usually among the first to caution about matching load to capacity. My thought is if you can remove the centerboard and take out everything else that isn't nailed down... you're talking about a one-time, 25 mile low-speed tow. If it's on smooth roads during off hours I'd probably do it.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Quick question on trailer load

the trailer is rated to haul 600 lbs at highway speed for an unlimited distance... at reduced speed I would make sure the tires were at max pressure and wouldn't hesitate for a second..... that thing is designed to take all sorts of bumps and potholes with 600 on it... another 125 isn't gonna break it if you go easy ..... heck run it 45 mph with the flashers on.....

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Quick question on trailer load

From The EZ-Loader Web site ... (Page 5)

Weight Capacity
Choosing the right trailer to match your boat is very important. Your trailer not only has to be long enough and wide enough for your boat, but must be able to carry the weight of the boat and everything in the boat, including motor(s], fuel, water, personal gear, and other items that you may have on board. This final weight is called a ‘wet weight’ and cannot exceed the carrying capacity of the trailer. The GVWR [Gross Vehicle Weight Rating] listed for the trailer, is the maximum amount that the boat and trailer combined can weigh. Do not exceed your trailer’s GVWR. If you don’t know the weight of the boat when its fully loaded combined with the weight of the trailer, have it weighed.

The EZTB-14 600 is listed as 227lbs. Tare.

That only leaves 373 lbs for the load!

The EZTB-14 600 is the smallest trailer they make.
You may want to re-think putting a 17' Sailboat on a 14' Jon Boat trailer.
750 + 227 = 977lbs - 600 = 377lbs over! 163% of GVWR.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Quick question on trailer load

So this thing has a 600 lb axle???? I've never even heard of such a thing... heck the axle under the trailer my old man pulls with his goldwing is a 1000 lb axle...... How do you figure that is isn't rated to carry 600 lbs plus tare = 827 max wieght tires/axle

I'm not saying that you're wrong but just questioning that you MIGHT be.

EDIT tires are rated for 590 each

ezloader states that GVWR is on the VIN sticker on the front left of the trailer... O?P what is the GVWR... I suspect it will be 827 but check it if you would please

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Quick question on trailer load

That trailer has an operational capacity of 600#. That is NOT the gvwr... It is meant for 600 pounds of payload. In reality it is a 1000# trailer, 1000# axle, 1200# tires, the trailer weighs 227 pounds, which gives you 600# of remaining payload with a 15% (173#) safety margin.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Quick question on trailer load

The web site is not clear if the trailer rating is Net or Gross.
The marketing department usually will advertise the larger number because it sounds more impressive.

The Axle and Tires may be rated for 1000lbs+;
But the frame may be the limiting factor in the attempt to get the cost of their smallest trailer as low as possible.

I hope I am wrong but it is better to be safe than sorry. Check the GVWR Frame Label.

It is still a 17 ft boat on a 14 ft trailer. Getting the CG forward enough may be a second issue.
Once loaded, it will need about 100 lbs of weight at the ball.
It may get real exciting once you hit 40 mph if it doesn't.

 

[Outsider]

Re: Quick question on trailer load

Sell the trailer and buy one that's 'right-sized', 'almost right' frequently leads to disappointment ...

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Quick question on trailer load

he's doing a one time haul with the trailer from another boat

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Quick question on trailer load

he's doing a one time haul with the trailer from another boat

He already knew it was not a good idea; And we all knew from the start, that he was going to do it no matter what we said.
He is just looking for confirmation, and we are all just setting the self righteous stage for the "I told you So" if it goes badly.

There is a 98% probability that all will be fine.
If he knows its a bad idea, enough extra care will be exercised to pull it off without issue.

The problems happen when you don't know you are are out of the envelope.

I have a small 50 year old stake bed utility trailer with 20 year old 35psi auto tire on it.
Once or twice a year I'll overload it with a yard of driveway gravel that tops 2000 lbs. net.
I pump the tires up to 60-70 psi and stay on the back roads at 25mph for the 3 mile trip.
The frame compresses the springs right down to the axle.
I used to pull it with a Four-Banger Ford Escort! Braking was marginal at best!
I know it is way wrong, and have gotten away with it for way too many years.
Will probably do it again this year. Cross your fingers!
Yes! I think I am an idiot for doing it.
The scary idiots are the ones that don't know they are idiots and take loads like this on the interstate at 70mph.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Quick question on trailer load

yep, keep the speed low enough and the only risk is to your wallet... a broken axle on a back road at 10 mph won't injure anyone unless you hurt your back shoveling the gravel onto the shoulder

 

[Dan 100]

Re: Quick question on trailer load

Thanks for all the responses guys. I haven't picked up the boat yet. The deal was very good and I think in the meantime the seller has had some other offers slightly higher than mine. He may get back to me but probably not. No worries. Things work out they way they are supposed to.

The center of gravity is a good point and one that I thought of as well. Quite simply this trailer is certainly overloaded with even this small boat. If the guy calls and accepts my dirt cheap offer I'll probably give it a try during off hours and with some friends to come and help. And push. And lift...

I had a trailer axle break on a boat years ago while in tow. The trailer wasn't overloaded it was just really old and worn out. The axle split while crossing a bridge. The boat leaned a touch, scared the living hell out of me, and we crawled down the other side of the bridge. I made a nice gouge in that asphalt.

My Dad bought this little trailer to haul a 12' aluminum jon boat and 3hp motor from the house to the ramp a couple miles away. For that purpose the trailer was well suited, but for really anything else, it's just not.

Thanks again,
Dan

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Quick question on trailer load

The load capacity limit of the trailer may not be due to the trailer frame, springs, or tires but more related to the bunks. Those in he picture don't look very sturdy. But -- the tires will carry the load with plenty of margin. The unknowns are axle capacity and I would bet that is a 1000# axle. So spring capacity and frame design are the remaining issues. Since we don't know what they are it remains a mystery. Springs are cheap and can be easily replaced. The frame can be reinforced but labor would eat up any potential savings over a proper trailer. Bunks are easily beefed up for very little cost. Does this solve the problem? Nope -- just throwing options out there.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Quick question on trailer load

I made a call to EZ-Loader.

The #600 spec for the trailer is the Load (Net) Capacity, NOT including the Trailer weight.
That puts the GVWR in the #800+ range.