registration and reality.

[rolmops]

While servicing my trailer I found some serious differences between the axle capacity of the trailer and the capacity that the registration claims it to be.
The previous owner had told me that the axle is a 5200 pound with high speed spindles,and the registration is for a 3500 pound axle.
But when trying to put brakes on this axle,I found out that in fact the spindles were old 1250 pound test spindles.
This means that I was hauling a 19 foot Starcraft Islander with a 1250 pound light trailer,while the trailer itself was about half that weight...
I am in the process of replacing the axle with a 3500 pound setup,but it made me realize that older gear is often changed to the point where the specs are no longer valid.
Forgive my little rant,but I was quite upset to find out that I was doing 50 miles an hour with a rolling time bomb.

 

[90stingray]

Re: registration and reality.

Wonder why the po thought it was 5200... thats a little bit of a difference. Well at least you caught it before something bad happened.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: registration and reality.

Wonder why the PO thought it was 5200... thats a little bit of a difference. Well at least you caught it before something bad happened.

Dyslexia?

2500 >>> 5200 ???

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: registration and reality.

I ran across one of those pesky details last year when I bought my boat, my boat and trailer weigh in at 2400 pounds and it had single C load range tires on it, and I changed them out to E`s

People just don't pay attention to details.

 

[etracer68]

Re: registration and reality.

What is the differance between High Speed Spindles, and are there, Low Speed Spindles? Never heard of High speed Spindles. Never heard of spindles rotating. Seems the PO is blowing smoke up someones bu--tt

 

[batman99]

Re: registration and reality.

Yes. High speed axles (or spindles) are used on trailers for the fast hiways. Low speed axles (spindles) are for lower speed traveling trailers - like farm equipment. And yes, they do make both low speed and high speed axles. Stores like Princess Auto sell both spindle types.

Lucky the OP caught that his trailer axle is "under sized". Glad to catch now instead of miles away from home. Or, in an accident and the hurt person has their lawyer on speed dial. For this trailer, simply replace existing smaller axle with proper sized axles. If your combined boat & trailer weigh 3,200 lbs, then replace with 3,500 lbs axle. If installing new axle, do consider getting a new axle with brakes. Or as a minimum, with a brake flange. If you decide to install brakes later on, the brake flange (steel mounting plate) will be there.

If you use 15" wheels on the trailer and you like to "load heavy", then perhaps installing the next size up axle is even better? For example, 5,200 lbs axle with larger 12" brake hubs (instead of 10" brake hubs on the 3,500 lbs axle).

If wondering, previous folks don't always know their equipment (with 100% accuracy). My previous boat owner thought it contained a 17" prop. In reality, the boat contained a 21" Prop. Even that previous owner made a mistake. Glad the OP caught his trailer mistake as well.

Hope this helps...