Uncle Bill of Sodus Light
Joe,
Absolutely nice rig. What do you haul it with? I did essentially the same thing for the keel rest except I ran 5 more 4x4 wooden cross members from side to side under the plank which is a 3x10 plank to each side of the trailer frame. Guess I am going to have to keep looking for a nest for the ole girl.
Bill:
You said your trailer was rated for 3,000 pounds. The displacement of a 25 is close to 5,000 without motor, accesssories, etc. The frame and axle on a 3,000 # trailer is made for that load.
You need a frame and axle(s) for 5,000 minimum and 6,000 average. The reason why trailers of this catagory have dual axles is that the heaviest rated single axle trailers routinely made are at 5,000. And if you have seen them you can understand the difference between a 3,000# and a 5,000# axle. A 5,000# axle is about 6 inches diameter. Is your axle that big?
Then how much load will the actual tires safely handle? Typical boat trailer 6 ply tires are about 1,600#. Where do you get tires rated at 2,500? Yes, I am sure that they exist as special equiipment tires. But you just do not find them on boat trailers. And the costs much be rich. So go out and read the specs on the tire. What is load rating?
So, trying to go on the cheap, puts you "unsafe at any speed". As a comparison check out trailers made by:
http://www.triadtrailers.com/
Their website says Connecticut, but their plant is really in Raliegh, North Carolina. Call and talk to Mr. Orro. (He is president of company and will talk to you.)
They make Galvanized sailboat trailers. They use steel and not aluminum because steel is stronger and unlike Aluminum on sailboat trailers will not bend. Unfortunately, their trailers are expensive. On the otherside they are safe and very well made.
I would suggest that the trailer you are now using is made for 3,000# safe use. Anything over is unsafe. If you move the boat or launch or retrieve it a gust of wind could make the trailer into a pretzel. But then in your area you have lots of road salt for pretzels.
Ed K
26