Trailer Suprise

[twentynine]

Well guys, it has happened to me. I have some trailer problems.

First I have to tell you guys that it is real important to keep an eye on your stuff, you see anything unusual check it out.

What triggered my alarm was I noticed an unusual wear pattern on my trailer tires, at first it didn't bother me, trailer tires almost never wear evenly. So my first course of action was to rotate them, swap side to side or put the new spare on the ground and make the worst tire the spare. In this case that was not an option, tires on the ground were ST175/13C and the spare was a ST175/13B. Right away I knew a load range B tire was not going to cover the load on the trailer.

My other option was just to go a head and replace the Carlisle tires with Goodyear Marathons and be done with it. Nope that was a no go also. Marathon tires in that size are only good for a weight of 1360#, I kinda figured I had a little more weight. Then I suddenly realized that if Marathons are rated at 1360# what the heck are the Carlisles rated. Yep, that's right 1360#.

Well it was time for some quick math, so I took my shoes off and got busy. Boat 1700#, motor 415#, trailer 420#, fuel 250#, batteries (3) 120#, bimini top 70#, trolling motor 50#,= 2900#+/- a few. Dang, and I still haven't figured in the rest of the stuff I keep in the boat and the gear I add to the boat when I go fishing.

I headed down to the truck stop to get a solid true to life weight. Prior to going I loaded the boat just like I was going fishing, rods, reel, ice chest (water to simulate ice and stuff), safety gear, tackle, and the million other little things we all bring that we don't even count. Well as you can imagine, never has the trailer felt so heavy as I pulled it down the highway. I guess everybodies right, ignorance is bliss.

I first weighed the truck solo, spotting the entire pickup on the steering axle scale, 5460#. That's about what Dodge says it should weigh, give or take a smidgen.

Next I weighed the truck and the boat. Once again I was carefull to spot the truck entirely on the steering axle scale, this placed the boat trailer on the drive axle scale. Truck- 5860#, trailer 3220#. This indicates that I have 400# of tongue weight and 3220# of weight on tires rated for 2720#. It also indicates that the entire boat/motor/trailer/gear tips the scales at 3620#. Yikes!

First thing I done was call Magic Tilt, didn't yell moan or groan, what can I say bought it two years ago, comes with a two year warranty. I explained what I had and I explained that I needed to know what the axle, springs, and frame of this trailer are rated. Model numbers and serial numbers flew back and forth, springs rated for 4000# (2000# ea.), axle rated for 4000#, and the 4 1/2" aluminum I-beam is used on trailers with rating up to 6000#. The gentleman at Magic Tilt asked me about the tires, I told him Carlisle 13C, he said no way, that trailer should have 215/75D14 on it. He then asked me how many blow outs I had, I say none. At this point I began getting the impression of just how lucky I had been.

The Magic Tilt rep told me to go ahead and contact the dealer, I explained that it was well over two years since purchase and no way could I expect any type of help. He insisted, so I called the dealer, told my tale of woe, halfway expecting to get hung up on.

But that is not what happened, the service manager said he'd call me back the next day, I said to myself yeah, I bet. Low and behold he calls back that afternoon, tells me to bring it in, thay have to see exactly what parts I will need. They want to go ahead and get them on hand so I will have minimum down time.

At this point I am so stuned I felt like I had been poleaxed, I must have had suprise in my voice when I asked the service manager just what type of financial deal we would work. Like I said two years, figured I'd be on the hook for something. He says, Mr. Twentynine it's on us, we're going to make it right. He told me that at this point he was unsure as to what they would do with the trailer, but he wanted it at his dealership to inspect axle, springs, frame and wheels. Kinda got the feeling that before he called me he called Magic Tilt, and then checked to see what in the heck had gone on with this trailer. I guesss he found out that somebody screwed the pooch.

Well next week it goes to the dealer, so far they have treated me better than I would have treated myself. I will keep you guys posted on what is going on.

Advice to everybody out there go check your trailers right now, I had never had a problem so I had assumed that no problem existed.

One more thing, no more Carlisle tire bashing, from me, they might not be the best, but the ones I had stood up to some severe abuse.

[Thom]

Only one thing jumps out at me from your narrative. It is that '4000' pound axle.

I have seen a lot of 2,500 pound axles. Virtually all of them have straight axles, meaning the inner and outer bearings are the same size, which is either one inch or inch and a sixteenth. Is there any way to know what he bearing size is without taking it apart - other than ask the mechanic at the shop? Yes. See what size grease cap it takes. If its 1.78" you may safely assume its a lightweight axle.

The next capacity that I'm aware of as being pretty common is 3,500 pounds. These are the ones you see all the time. They frequently have hubs using the common 545 bolt pattern (sometimes called the "Small Ford" pattern, its 5 lugs on 4.5" centers, hence the designation). Virtually all of these things use different sized bearings in-and-out and they will be 1 3/8" for the inners and 1 1/16" for the outers. How do you tell? Ask the mechanic first of course but grease caps (or bearing protectors) will be 2.02 in diameter at the bore.

The next size I am familiar with are the 5200 pound axles. You quite clearly do not have one of these but if you did it would take different sized bearings (1 3/4" x 1 1/4") and its grease caps would be 2.32" or 2.44" in diameter. The hubs used on one of these things will also have either 6 or 8 lugs and large wheels.

It is awfully good to hear of the actions the manufacturer and dealer are taking for you. While its hard to understand how one could have slipped out with the wrong size wheels on at least they seem to be treating you right about it now.

Oh, on those springs. its really hard to tell what capacity you have - but there is a way to come close. Count the leafs and see how thick they are. Leaves generally will be 1 3/4" wide but their thickness can vary from a little less than a quarter inch up to about 0.38". You find between 2 and 6 leaves but for the most part if there are less than 4 you are looking at a utility cart. As a general rule four quarter inch springs will give you a capacity of 1,000~1,200 pounds. If the springs are a little thicker (0.26 or so) that capacity for 4 leaves goes up to around 2,000~2,400 per axle. The thick springs, which are usually 0.36 thick, will support 2,400 or more, but not a whole lot more.

There are three types of springs too. As far as I know one doesn't have a capacity edge over another, but I could be dead wrong on that. The three types are C-hooks, which have an eye on one end and a simple U-shapped bend on the other. Then there are Slipper springs which have an eye on one end but just a flat leaf on the other. Of course there are the double eye springs too. They always looked better to me but I have no good reason to believe they actually are superior in any way.

That's about all I know to bring you up to speed on some things about trailers. I its nice to be able to go into the shop over the things with a little general knowledge. I wouldn't place bets on anything I said above but I think you'll find its all close enough information to keep you in the conversation.

I would suggest this to you though. When its all been taken care of sort of slip over to the mechanic and ask him what the part number is on the seals he is using and where they pick their's up. It will probably be a local auto parts place. Buy yourself a half dozen of them and carry at least 2 with you in the tow vehicle all the time. Also buy a spare set of bearings, if not a complete hub/bearing set, while you are there. Carry them with you as well.

[cgrand]

heading out to look at mine right now...

[twentynine]

Thom

Okay! Great info.

Springs? They are 1 3/4" wide by what looks like slightly more than 3/8" thick, with three leafs. With the load sitting on the trailer their still seems to be some flex left in them. They still have an upward curve to them. They are also double eye.

Axle? It does have a 545 hub on it as you describe. And I know from repacking the bearings the inner is larger than the outer. I don't think it could be as big as 1 3/4" though. The buddy bearing is 1.98" or rather 1 7/8" almost 2" it is deffinitely larger than the 1.78" you describe. The axle is not straight it has about a 6" drop in the center 1/3 of it, I always thought this was to allow for the Vee of the boat hull. Also the axle measures about 2 1/4 to maybe 2 3/8" square tubing. Tapping on it sounds like heavy tubing.

Since I made the post this morning I have called a third party, these guys build and repair trailers and also sell Mclain brand trailers. They also come highly recommended. He agrees that the hubs and axle do seem to indicate a 4000# or 3500# capacity, the springs he says are 2000#. He would not commit definitely, going by my description only. Wise man I'd say.

Some further information.

This guy sells Carlisle trailer tires and claims to use nothing else. Anyway he did give me some cost figures. Replacement custom built galvanized axle 4000# capacity $139. 215/75D14 tire with galvanized rim $94 ea, hubs complete installed, packed ready to go $49 ea, galvanized U-bolt kit $12 ea. This would completely replace the road gear of my trailer, with the exception of springs and I would probably go a head and do those while I am at it, I just forgot how much he quoted. Labor $40/hr and should take no more than 2 hrs.

Now what I am getting at, is if the dealer decides that new tires and rims are the ticket, well I am that much ahead. Then I will head on down and get new hubs, springs, and axle from this third party. Like I said, it has been over two years since purchase (4/03). The trailer comes with two years warranty and to tell the absolute truth nothing has broken on the trailer. Just the wearing of the tires indicating a problem. Heck I could see how the dealer could just tell me the trailer is out of warranty and see you later. That might be what happens in the long run, but as of right now, the dealer has pledged to repair or replace. After all I am the dummy that has been running this trailer for 2 years without even looking at it. Sometimes it pays to be lucky rather than smart.