Equipment Trailer Axle Rating

[PineKnot]

I'm considering buying a new Hudson flatbed platform over the wheels, 16' flat with a 3' bobtail and ramps. It's rated for 10K payload with an empty weight of 2 something. Two Dexter 5200 lb axles with six lug 15" wheels. Info from the brochure. I'm no mathematician, but what gives here?
I've always heard Hudson is a top brand, so I'm assuming this is okay, but can someone explain the apparent discrepancy? Any user comments on these trailers would also be appreciated.

[Packard8]

Maybe a typo?... If not, I'd stay away from 15" wheels. I have them on my 24' enclosed steel car trailer (2 5200# axles) and the highest rated tire I can find is only 2500#. Kinda pushing it close when I haul a heavy car. Maybe call the mfg and see if they offer a 7K# axle upgrade option with 16" 8 lug wheels & tires. They are assuming that 5% to 15% of the gross trailer weight will be on the truck (either tag, 5er or GN)

Better to have a bit of safety margin, IMHO

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[NickKent]

Yeah, that is sort of weird. Different manufacturers will sticker their GVWR's differently. Seems PJ's are always in the 15400 GVWR range with 7k axles. While others will go with 14k GVWR on 7k axles. I guess though if you get pulled over as long as the trailer axles are not over their rating and your tow vehicle isn't over its rating then you can overload the tongue weight all you want. Going by Hudson's specs though, they have you with a 2k plus tongue weight. That seems a bit extreme. I would see if you can get the trailer upgraded to 6k or 7k axles which will push the GVWR up, but you'll have a safer trailer.

[Hook'em Horns!]

ST225/75R15E 10-ply at 2830 max load capacity + 10% tongue wt. loads out at 12520.

http://www.carlisletire.com/products...ail/index.html

BUT, I’d be more concerned about that 12,500 limit on your bulldog hitch. Better to lose a tire than the whole trailer, it seems to tarnish the day a bit!

Also, for a pull over the mfg. plate rating/registration is what your wt. ticket will be based on.

[Copper]

I think they add the pin weight into the weight rating of the trailer. So say 10,400 on the two axles plus 15-20% on the pin (gooseneck?) would be 11,960-12,480#. If it's a bumper pull with 10-15% on the tongue, they're cutting it pretty close. I think that's the way it works, anyhow.

[PineKnot]

Thanks for the helpful replies. Sounds like I might be on the thin edge of the wedge. This is a tag trailer and my (sig) truck is a SRW with all the factory trailer tow stuff. My total load would not reach much over 8K (for now), but I really don't want to buy phantom capacity, or end up with a super heavy tongue load. This thing will have to run the interstates safely. Maybe I need to keep looking. Any suggestions?

[LMJD]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Maybe I need to keep looking. Any suggestions? </div></div>

You might check PJ Trailers. I bought one (in my photos I think) and it has two 7000 lb. axles and came loaded with many features at a real reasonable price. Dual landing gear, side step and grab handle, etc. They offer the type ramps you want too.

[Chyrel]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LMJD</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You might check PJ Trailers. I bought one (in my photos I think) and it has two 7000 lb. axles and came loaded with many features at a real reasonable price. Dual landing gear, side step and grab handle, etc. They offer the type ramps you want too. </div></div>

I’ve been looking at that same PJ trailer, but with ramps. Sometime before spring I would like to buy a gooseneck deckover trailer. Around here it’s either PJ or Big Tex. I like the lift up platform between the ramps of the Big Tex. I bought a 14,000-GVW PJ dump trailer, when comparing PJ and Big Tex, PJ was just a bit better value. Neither manufacture can paint to save their lives!

[NickKent]

I believe the PJ trailers are powder coated.

[Hook'em Horns!]

That would be an incredible site to see, powder coat set-up big enough for a trailer.

[LMJD]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Neither manufacture can paint to save their lives! </div></div>
I don't know about that. I'm a blue freak, and when I ordered my PJ from the dealer in Casper, Wy. I saw that PJ offered blue so I said that's what I wanted. When I finally could go down to pick it up and told the dealer my name, he started laughing at me because of the blue part (everyone gets black). He walks me out back and Holy Crap!---we're talking beautiful dark metallic blue with pinstriping, plus like I said, a ton of extras. Compared to the prices I got for other brands from other dealers, I figured my PJ would be really low-end basic which would be fine for my use, but not so, good strong construction too.