Buying a trailer.

[nobitchin]

Hey guys,
I am about to pick up a 23' 1974 seacraft. It was an I/O but has been converted to an bracketed outboard (225 yamaha 1996). Also has a 110 gal fuel tank. I was wondering would a trailer rated for 4,800 pounds be enough? My calculations have it fully loaded @ 4,250. Can anyone with a 23' tell me their trailer capacity. Thanks

[Snookerd]

My Rolls Axle trailer is around 6K capacity. I have 1 more motor and 100 more gallon tank(s). Go with a heavier trailer if possible.

[Capt Chuck]

I had a #5000 Rolls in which I towed my 23' for years. It was at the limit but did the job. After I bracketed the boat it no longer had the length necessary to center the boats weight properly over the tandums . I now have a #7000. 24'-26' boat capacity, maybe a little overkill but the price was right

BTW: Welcome to CSC and make sure your trailer has brakes...

[nobitchin]

Does 4,300 lbs sound right for the boat. Full of gas, ice and equipment? or am I off?

[Snookerd]

Sounds about right at 4300. I have heard that buying the next size bigger trailer is a good way to not push the limit. I have a single axle trailer on the 18SF that is too small even thought it was built for the boat.

[NoBones]

Bigger is always better, just for those times when you have
dive gear, extra coolers filled with ice, so on and so on.
See ya, Ken

[strick]

I would get a trailer rated at 7000#. A 6000# would be the minimum for a 23. The trailer you are looking at is too small.

strick

[Fr. Frank]

You need a trailer that is rated at 135-140% of your max gross weight, which includes the empty trailer weight.

If you have figured the net weight of the boat when loaded at 4,250 lbs, add the weight of the trailer to that figure to get the max gross static weight. Under ordinary conditions, your trailer will undergo a momentary dynamic load of 135-140% of that total when it hits a bump. You also load one side of the trailer by itself to 80-100% of your total static load as you go around a corner.

4250 lbs boat, motor, fuel & gear
750 lbs empty trailer weight (Aluminum)
5000 lbs static load
X 140%
= 7000 lb trailer max gross capacity.

If your total towed vehicle weight exceeds 50% of your towing vehicle weight you need brakes!!

In Florida, if the trailer has a max gross capacity of 3500 lbs or more, trailer brakes are required by law, unless your trailer was manufactured before 1984.

In GA, trailers with a gross capacity of over 10,000 lbs must have electrically activated brakes or air brakes that operate off the tow vehicle's air system. I got a warning from the Georgia DOT a few years back for towing a 26' Wellcraft Scarab (on a trailer for a 30' boat) with tandem axles with a max gross of 12'000 (6K per axle), and only had surge brakes.

[FELLOW-SHIP]

I have a 23 CC and went with a I beam aluminum 6000 lb. Loadmaster trailer with all stainless steel bolts, SS disk breaks, and the torsion axels had it for 6 years now. Never have had any problems except general repairs from using it. It seems plenty big enough for me. My usual tow distance is approx 20 miles one way on a Interstate highway and down to the Keys once a year.


FellowShip
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Just for the Grins

[nobitchin]

I can't thank you guys enough. The information I got made me more informed and safer. I am still looking so if anyone knows of a trailer for sale or a good place to buy one please let me know.
thanks again,
Scott