beefing up trailer for higher payload

[Sean Buick 76]

What is the tow vehicle??

 

[tayto]

Can I please get on the record and state:

This is a bad idea. Sell your trailer and buy the correct one for the job with a 20-30% extra capacity.

there is nothing like this unless I goto a much bigger trailer or get something custom made which is about 3-4x the cost which is not in the budget. The vehicle is a '18 Transit 150 low roof/short wheel base, i believe towing payload is 5400#, the 250 goes up to 6200# believe. I get it, 5000# + trailer (1100#) is a bit much, but 3500# + trailer (1100#)is still safe/legal I think. Hghway speeds are only 80-90 Kph where I live. Like I said, this isn't a day in day out thing I would be surprised if I use it more than 8 times per year. I have moved 3500# with this van and a father's utility trailer, which didn't have trailer brakes at the time. It was not sketchy IMO.

 

[Sean Buick 76]

Then rent a trailer when you need to move a load like you are suggesting. I’m not usually so blunt but this is a terrible idea!

 

[GoToGuy]

Your current vehicle , and trailer , is not suited or rated for what you want to do. Liabilities= lawsuit, criminal.
You have a requirement, yet you unwilling to understand the current light trailer is totally unfit for your plan. You really need a larger two axle trailer, to haul these weight loads.
If you wish to have any success , your best , and safest route is getting a mechanical , structural Engineer to advise you the best plan .
Can you do , center of balance calculation, floor psi limit load factor.
This is like , 10 lbs in a 5 lb. bag.

 

[AuroraGirl]

the placement of the axle and the capacity it most likely has and the short frame of the trailer with not very large frame rails makes me say you should consider another trailer entirely, beef that one up and use the extra you get for selling it to buy the trailer you need and not to attempt to even move the trailer without adequate trailer brakes , because youre overloading your van

 

[Hipster]

there is nothing like this unless I goto a much bigger trailer or get something custom made which is about 3-4x the cost which is not in the budget. The vehicle is a '18 Transit 150 low roof/short wheel base, i believe towing payload is 5400#, the 250 goes up to 6200# believe. I get it, 5000# + trailer (1100#) is a bit much, but 3500# + trailer (1100#)is still safe/legal I think. Hghway speeds are only 80-90 Kph where I live. Like I said, this isn't a day in day out thing I would be surprised if I use it more than 8 times per year. I have moved 3500# with this van and a father's utility trailer, which didn't have trailer brakes at the time. It was not sketchy IMO.

All the gear involved needs to be taken into consideration. weight ratings, tongue weight limits, etc, not just the total towing capacity of the van as far as total weight limit. You say the 250 has a limit of 6.2k.....but you don't have one. A two axle trailer for one it plenty more stable in the event of losing a tire and 2 allows fore and aft placement of the load so it's better balanced with regards to appropriate togue weights, sway, etc. Your asking this trailer to do way above what it was ever intended to do. Picture that frame cracking from flex and it tumbling down the highway with 3k inside it detatched from the truck during working hours traffic. It only takes one trip to have a disaster you or somebody else doesn't live through. I've seen plenty of 6x10 or12 dual axle trailers new and used...everywhere and normally they have a more robust frame/suspension under them and often optioned with brakes.

 

[tayto]

All the gear involved needs to be taken into consideration. weight ratings, tongue weight limits, etc, not just the total towing capacity of the van as far as total weight limit. You say the 250 has a limit of 6.2k.....but you don't have one. A two axle trailer for one it plenty more stable in the event of losing a tire and 2 allows fore and aft placement of the load so it's better balanced with regards to appropriate togue weights, sway, etc. Your asking this trailer to do way above what it was ever intended to do. Picture that frame cracking from flex and it tumbling down the highway with 3k inside it detatched from the truck during working hours traffic. It only takes one trip to have a disaster you or somebody else doesn't live through. I've seen plenty of 6x10 or12 dual axle trailers new and used...everywhere and normally they have a more robust frame/suspension under them and often optioned with brakes.

I am on the edge of 5400# with passengers, gear, trailer & 3500#. But still under. After having this discussion and researching more the dual axle is probably the way to go. It was honestly my plan originally, it was only after talking to the local trailer place that he said just do a 6 or 7k axle, which is why I was reaching out. I had actually been looking at horse trailers as most of them have dual axle & 2-2.5x the payload of what I got, but most of them were in need of more work than I was willing to do. Also a lot of home built stuff. Most of the ones I looked at were similar construction to what I got, but with either steel or 2x6 floors.

I knew this thread would ruffle a lot of feathers.

 

[Sean Buick 76]

Yes it’s a liability if a person where to plead ignorance in court after an incident… But this forum thread could be used in court to show that you weren’t ignorant you were deliberately using the wrong equipment knowing it was illegal and wrong. You aren’t ruffling feathers you are simply embarrassing yourself but I can tell that you are committed to this lol.

Your max tongue weight is 750 pounds. Your trailer has one axle and it’s rated for 1800 pounds. You want to put 3500-5000 pounds in the trailer. It’s not gonna happen! What are you carrying? Election rigging machines?

 

[tayto]

Yes it’s a liability if a person where to plead ignorance in court after an incident… But this forum thread could be used in court to show that you weren’t ignorant you were deliberately using the wrong equipment knowing it was illegal and wrong. You aren’t ruffling feathers you are simply embarrassing yourself but I can tell that you are committed to this lol.

Your max tongue weight is 750 pounds. Your trailer has one axle and it’s rated for 1800 pounds. You want to put 3500-5000 pounds in the trailer. It’s not gonna happen! What are you carrying? Election steeling machines for smartmatic lol?

So if i am at or under what the vehicle is rated for, how is that not legal? I already admitted 5000# is unrealistic. The trailer is rated for 1874# so if I have to do 2 trips so be it (to carry 3200#). I already stated I am carrying test weights. I have no issue doing smaller loads until a vehicle with higher tow capacity is available. Also, as far as trailer modifications, if it gets inspected and is insurable what is the issue here?

 

[Sean Buick 76]

You aren’t going to get a “home built” trailer VIN without spending thousand of dollars on that dinky trailer. You stated you are adding a larger axle, brakes, new leaf springs, larger frame, thicker floor etc. Even after all that, you will be at the mercy of what the inspector determines the max weight weight rating to be. Plus the won’t do a “home built” inspection and new VIN on a trailer with an existing VIN. And we know you can’t tamper with a VIN so…..

Look at your 750 pound max tongue weight. You want to carry 3500 pounds of load on a single axle trailer and you won’t be over 750 on the ball?