How heavy is my rig?

[mike uk]

After three burst tyres, I decided to stop blaming myself for driving over kerbs etc and took my boat on its trailer to a weighbridge to see how near I am to tyre max load ratings.

So, we are talking here about a UK galvanised steel single axle trailer for a 2003 X (with the optional upgrade to 1800 kg rated axle as opposed to 1600kg). This means the axle bearings, brakes, tow hitch and tyre are all specified for 1800kg max.

Stuff on board included in measured weight:-

50 hp Yamaha
2 batteries
Some gear, but not much in galley and ropes etc
Onboard smart battery charger
Portapotti with flushing water
Built in fridge
Origo single burner stove

Stuff not on board which I would usually carry on boat in addition to measured weight:-

Boom with mainsail and lazy jack bag
Rutland wind power generator
Spray hood
Canvas cockpit full cover tent
Anchor and chain

Things not included in weight which I usually carry in tow vehicle (but being honest some of these also find their way into the boat when towed):-

Food
Clothes
Fuel tanks
Fresh water tanks
Dinghy and outboard
Spare wheel

So go on - have a guess - what does my rig weigh

[eric3a]

..

[Trouts Dream]

Cold salt water or warm fresh water?

My guess is 1750 kg.

Whats the prize?

[bastonjock]

2003kg

is yours a west mercia trailer?

and more to the point,what rating are your tyres? my tyres get pumped up to 90psi

[mike uk]

Trouts Dream wins straight away!

The exact answer is 1760kg.

The prize is a sail and a beer. So anytime you're in the UK just let me know!

It is the West Mersea trailer with Alko running gear and the tyres are indeed those that are inflated to 90psi. They are rated for max 900kg each so the whole rig is good for 1800kg - it just doesn't leave much margin does it? At least not the sort of margin we sailors like to work with.

So I think I might be adding another axle. I did look into this a bit last year. West Mersea sold out to Dixon Bate who are in North Wales. DB were not too interested in doing bespoke mods. Recently, West Mersea have started up again (their contractual business exclusion having expired!) but again it's a bit like getting blood from a stone. Indespension will do it but they want to fit 2 of their own axles. It makes much more sense for another Alko axle to be fitted to match the existing. I'll do some more shopping round

Mike

[mike uk]

Oh I nearly forgot. Eric gets the booby prize for being nearly right.

Correct as regards the boat and contents but I have usually found that when I drive the trailer into the water it just sinks

The booby prize is a sail and a beer so when you are in the UK just let me know.

Mike

[baldbaby2000]

I was amazed at how much stuff we have in our boat. I pulled everything out to clean it. I used to go through tires too, especially the junk tires that came with the boat brand new. I finally put on bigger radials, raised the fenders, and haven't had a problem since.

[bastonjock]

mike,i spoke to a guy last week about the same subject,ill try to get his number for you

[Pacamac-uk]

Hi, You've got me worried now!!

My Mac 19 is on the original Mac single axle trailer but the prevoius owner has fitted new wheels and it has almost new tyres (+ a new spare wheel/tyre).

The wheels are 12" and the tyres (Maxxis - chinese?) are rated for 1984 lbs as a single or 1874 lbs each as a pair. Got this info from the manufacturer's website.

So is the max. trailer capacity including the trailer 1874 x 2 = 3748 lbs (or 1703 kg) ?

Can anyone confirm my thinking?

If its only 1874 lbs then I have a big problem based on the following rationale:-

According to the Mac instructions the Mac19 bare boat is 1250 lbs, the trailer itself is 380 lbs, the engine is 204 lbs (Mercury 40/4stroke) which leaves only 40 lbs for fuel and all the kit in the boat!

Any thoughts?

[Boblee]

We are right in the middle of modifying our trailer now for a number of reasons but both the original tyres are now scrubbed out.
The rear spring bracket on the passenger side had flogged out to the point of being ready to let the spring go and none of the components are available locally except bearings.
The axle looks strong enough and if the brakes fail it's not going to cause a major concern so they can be disconnected in an emergency so we are retaining it.
Have replaced the springs and hangers and also put a new crossmember with extra bunks at the rear spring hanger as the chassis here flexes putting sideways stress on the springs and extra movement on the berths.
While at it I put webbing under the chassis between the front spring hanger and the winch bracket to stop flexing when trying to load the boat and make winching easier.
Also replaced the winch post and reinforced it as it had been bent and put guides on each side of the roller, will probably put a roller just in front of the vee berth to assist lifting the nose up when loading (if the webbing doesn't work).
If I was going to keep the boat the trailer would certainly be galvanised after all modifications are proved.
Our boat would be heavier than 1800KG's and did consider the Alko axle but if/when something goes wrong they are hard to obtain spares or get repaired, we have 15" tyres here that are rated at 1100 KG each but 16" would have a much higher rating.
Am also making new Mudguards as the originals allow too many stones to hit the boat.
We thave ravelled in excess of 15000KM's and will do at least 6000 again this year in fairly remote areas so we can't afford to have breakages that can't be fixed beside the road or at least in a backyard workshop.

[Catigale]

You guys are leaving out a critical factor. The tongue weight of the trailer should be something like 10 percent of the trailer weight, or about 200kg. This is important to make sure the trailer stays comfortably behind the car whilst it is towed.

That same weight comes off the weight budget for the tires of course.