Boat trailer undersize
Submitted by Percula on Sun, 2016-03-06 17:31
So took my boat over the weigh bridge the other day, on the way to Jurien.
Coraline, 6.2m walkaround, soft top, half tank of fuel, some fishing gear, ice box with 2 bags ice, safety gear etc
Came in at 2250kg!!! Not happy!
Means I now have to upgarde my trailer or get a new one.
How can boat sellers sells boats like this? Surely this is illegal as they are not fit for purpose.
Any advice...? Anyone want to buy a john papas trailer?
Madmerv
Posts: 672
Date Joined: 24/01/15
Sorry to hear it.
As we all know it all comes down to price. A trailer that just fits the bill for that boat is x price, one that will cover all, fully loaded is xx price. What did you pay for the outfit??
Like you said "How do boat sellers do it". Work to the lowest denominator.
Sometimes when the water is quiet, you can hear the fish laughing at you !
ranmar850
Posts: 2702
Date Joined: 12/08/12
This is more common than it should be.
I was in the same position, I talked to the trailer manufacturer involved, was able to upgrade to 1800kg from 1200kg on that particular frame, and they re-issued the VIN plate to reflect the change. Still cost me near $1700, but ended up with a much better trailer.
Ring the maunfacturer, or, if that rig is only a few years old, I'd be going back to the dealer involved .
meglodon
Posts: 5981
Date Joined: 17/06/10
Department of consumer affairs
Clearly the trailer was unfit for the purpose for which it was sold. With the facts as straight forward as you have put them I have no doubt that they would be giving the company concerned a good going over.
abrohlosorbust
Posts: 99
Date Joined: 08/06/12
Dealers have a lot to answer for.
Brother in laws Genesis 6.7 tandem trailer had the same issue... Trailit trailer underneath and seriously undergunned. Cable override brakes on it and originally 13" rims. Looked ok but clearly wasn't. Several thousand dollars later. New axles new brakes electric over hydraulic new wheels it is now capable of doing its job as it should.
He was the second owner of the boat and clearly didn't consider this at time of purchase.
The boat and trailer combo should never have been able to leave the dealer originally and even second time round.
Now tows like a dream and legal with all the usual goodies that are loaded for a good day on the water.
The dealer should advise trailer requirements and buyer should not be able to spec under current DOT and road standards.
Getting wet is part of the Fun
Boston Whaler 235 Conquest
holth
Posts: 812
Date Joined: 09/10/06
How olds the trailer. Mite
How olds the trailer. Mite not be worth the cost of upgrading the running gear if its on the older side . Certainly can be done though. Go see Paul at Fremantle trailers, he knows his stuff and can price the job for you.
Ian S
Posts: 71
Date Joined: 20/01/14
Axles with13 inch wheels
have a higher load capacity than larger wheels. its all to do with the leverage that there is on the axle, 13 inch LT tyre also have plenty of load capacity.
Have a look at Martins trailer parts website they have all the specs for axles and bearings etc.
Ambiance
Posts: 105
Date Joined: 06/12/09
Consumer Affairs
Anything sold much be fit for purpose, so as previously said go see dealer explain what you would like done and if no good see comsumer affairs. Will cost you nothing to try and may save you a small fortune.
Cheers
Vinesh87
Posts: 2751
Date Joined: 02/04/11
This really annoys me i see
This really annoys me i see so many boats with a totally underatred trailer.What annoyed me more was sellers/dealers attitudes toward underated trailer or oversize loads. They just dont care.
I assume your trailer is rated to 2000kgs then thus not needing overide brakes ? I don't think there will be much joy taking it to the seller because empty it would be with in the limits.
500-1000kgs of gear is pretty easy to load in a boat that size.
In saying that it does seem quite heavy for 6.2m with soft top ? ( My 7.5m with full H/t, anchor winch, inbuilt full fridge, some fishing gear 200l of fuel, all safety gear, solar panels and a few more bits is only 2900kgs) How heavy is your trailer ?
resurgence
Posts: 578
Date Joined: 23/04/14
Seems heavy
My Haines 650R with Yamaha 250 ready to go on the water except fishing gear came in at 2250kg, although that's with an aluminium trailer.
Whats the trailer rated at? How old? Did you buy it complete from a dealer?
peterm8
Posts: 45
Date Joined: 25/10/13
Trailers
If it makes you feel better, you are not alone. Most of the local manufactured packages are in the same category. The difference that electric over hydraulic brakes makes to these rigs is unbelievable. If you're worried about cost, think of the implications if you hit something or somebody. Pete
Ambition and Ability - Don't confuse them!
Percula
Posts: 273
Date Joined: 23/09/08
Thanks
yeah seems heavy to me as well. I will empty it and re weigh it this weekend.
I am the second owner unfortunately. Still ridiculous that a little bit of stuff and it weighs that much!!
Will let you know what I do.
ranmar850
Posts: 2702
Date Joined: 12/08/12
Everything weighs something
I went through the exercise of weighing EVERY SINGLE OBJECT that went into my boat before the annual trip away last winter. Even if it weighed 1 kg, it was added to the list. The total was staggering, and there was no bulk fuel or water in there, would never carry that in the boat. Put it over the weighbridge with normal gear and water in there first, then added up the extras and total was over. "Only" 10% over rating, so I know what I have to work on this year.
My previous boat was a 600 Navigator CC, only a tinny, what could it weigh? On an admittedly heavy tandem trailer, I estimated 1250Kg. Weighbridge told me it was exactly 1500KG with half fuel.