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Old 03-07-2012, 09:29 PM
WildBill WildBill is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Ocala Fl
Posts: 161
Default Re: trailer woe's

A couple years back I fought the same issues. I owned a 25' Sportcraft openfisherman (a classic for you diehards) that I hauled to the Key's (500 miles) and West Palm Beach (250 miles) each spring and home each fall. I continually overheated the front axle and brakes. The trailer was a 7000 lb alluminum loadmaster and running 15" Goodyear Marathon radials. The boat with gear usually was right at about 5500-5800lbs including the trailer ( I weighed the boat at the Pilot scales). I experimented moving the boat forward and to the rear to see if I had too much weight over the front axle but to no avail. After smoking the front hubs and Kodiak brakes probably 4 times over 3-4 years I had enough. I bit the bullet and put 2 new 5000lb axles underneath her with 5 new 16" bias ply's. I also installed electric brakes and got rid of the surge brakes which would occassionally not release right away.(you'll need a brake controller about $125.00 or so) I think the electric brakes are the "Cat's Ass"for heavy loads. It cost me about a grand to have it done but well worth it, "Problem Solved". About the radial's the theory is that the radials are suppose to run cooler over long distances and that's why I ran the radials knowing where she would spend the spring and summers. I only lost one tire comming back from WPB the last time I brought her home at my exit on I-75. (Try to not carry a full load of fuel,ice,etc long distances) Once the fuel got crazy at about the time our new fearless leader got rolling and his new administration and their policies got cranked up I got priced out of my calling and lifestyle of rolling down to the Key's.(I must be a 1%er)
I have had numerous trailers over the years including the one you have which was one of the best I've had.(it sat underneath my '79 Sceptre) but had never experienced problems like I just shared. I'm starting to wonder if the newer axles are made elsewhere (China) and even though they are tagged 3500lb axles they are not really rated that high. Anyway after fixing her up I sold her and sent her over to Crystal River where you can see her frolicing in the springs with the manatee's.

Good Luck Wild Bill

Last edited by WildBill; 03-07-2012 at 09:53 PM.
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