Single axle trailer weight capabilities?

Hey guys, just looking for some opinions on a trailers potential for weight capacity. It's 6.5 ft x 8.5 ft single axle.

Apparently my father has an old trailer kicking around that he built for a friend years ago, but was gifted back by the son when he passed away. I thought it was my uncles, so I never inquired about it.

Anyways, it appears to be a pretty solidly built trailer, it was/is part of a vehicle frame. It has leaf springs (which are about 1/4" thick each, or a little better and there's 7 of them) and shocks as well. The tires if I recall, are 9.5-16.5? size with a protruding hub (8 bolts) and the rim with 8 bolts.

The tires are garbage, and the wooden deck above the steel frame is pretty rotten. The outer rails are serviceable. It also appears to be a side load type of trailer.

Knowing this, what ballpark weight would you expect it to be safely capable of ? Wild guesses and speculation also welcome.

 

I think your limiting factor is going to be with the brakes on your tow vehicle. I can haul 1/3 of a cord in my pickup. But I dont think I would haul my trailer (5x8) with another 1/3 behind it.
Sounds like it is out of a 1 ton truck.

Gary

 

Most single axle trailers are in the 3500lb. weight maximum. Usually the weight of the trailer will take up about 1000lbs. of that, so you're left with 2000lbs. or 1 ton of cargo capacity. That's not gonna be much hauling green rounds or green wood for sure.

If'n you have the vehicle.................look for a "tandem" or "dual" axle trailer..........................most of them have a 5,000-7500lbs. weight capacity rating.

Grew up towing and hauling..............................and still tow and haul................

 

I think my '03 F-150 is capable of pulling a few lbs back there, no? I have a brake controller in my truck, and there are brakes on the trailer in question (do they work? I dunno ). I'm more curious what the trailer/axle/springs/shocks capabilities could be.

Some quick math reveals a wood load 1 ft tall would be 55 cubic foot, 1.5 ft tall would be 82 cubic foot, and 2 ft tall wood load rings the bell at 110 cubic feet.

Is a 1/3 cord in the truck and a half or 3/4 cord on a trailer realistic?

 

I type slow so that first post was more in response to Gary.

Kind of a sad panda here if all I might accomplish is another 2000 lbs.

That might be about a 1/2 cord of green poplar?

 

my buddy has a home made.. with springs and breaks.. at dot had 7500 lb they said it was fine.. these guys love to write tickets single axle but mobile home axle.. if that helps.

 

This one isn't that heavy duty.

 

How far are you going to be towing it when fully loaded?

 

My usual stomping ground is only about a mile away, but the farmer still has crop in, so no dice there. I do go with the neighbor to a spot about 10 miles away once in awhile. This trip is all back roads, so 3rd world weight limits apply.

I was considering longer 30-40 mile round trips if I could lug enough with the trailer. Get into some crown land with birch/spruce/pine.

 

Oh ok. It's a toss up on your part weather it's worth the risk or not.

I personally would want to make a few short trips first to build my confidence a little. I have a 5ish by 8ft trailer with four ft sides. Single able rated at 6000lbs. Was built by someone not me. Pretty cobbled together. I had to put tires on it that could hold a load. I've hauled 4000lbs of rock in it (weighted on their scale) down the highway 30ish miles with my 95 grand cherokee. I only did 40mph the whole way cause it didn't really feel safe on the stopping half. Mine doesn't have brakes.

So after saying all that I think it depends on your drive and weather conditions. It sounds like the trailer is a older 1 ton out of the 80s or earlier. Those trucks would haul way more than one ton. Without a picture its hard to say though.

 

I have a 5 x 8 single axle trailer I had it reconditioned. Built on a truck axle. It has inch and half oak planking. I have never been able to over load it. I know I have put a huge stacked mound of green stuff over 4000 pounds. I will post a pic of it when I can

 

I'll snap some photos of it tomorrow.

 

I haul in a 4x8 single axle stacked high , even with green wood. It's 2/3 of a cord. No issues, and I use my car. If you have a half ton truck, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

Sounds like your trailer has a 3/4 ton truck axle under it. Got 8 lug wheels and the 8 bolts on the end of the axles correct. If your tires, leaf springs, frame etc are all up too snuff your good to go with hauling a pretty good amount of weight. You mite even be able to make the sides higher.

 

I would put the weight at zero, atleast until you know more about it.

If your father built it find out the axle specs.
The axle tires and tongue will dictate its capabilities.

 

My smallish 4x8 is rated for 2000#. Some pics for reference:

 

If it has shocks & 8 lug wheels,
most likely a 1 ton PU axle.

The Brakes, not sure they are electric brakes to work with your PU controller (but maybe)

Price is right.
Either way, it would enable you to haul more.

Like said , give it a go, light loads .
keep the weight forward. (15% - 20% of total weight on tongue )watch for it to fishtail.
see how it tracks,
work up to 1/2 cord load
Dont try to set speed records & realize your stopping distance is greatly increased.

Pictures ?

 

Sorry for the repeat photos, not sure what I did wrong with my phone camera. All better now.

 

According to Dad, the trailer started life as a Ford 3/4 ton best he can remember. The brakes are there but non functional. The old timer that had it hauled gravel and firewood, and loaded 'er up good, a cord or better at a time! Not saying that it's safe or legal or even a good idea to do such a thing, just what the guy did.

The way the suspension is, it has metal blocks/bump stop type deals. The trailer will need to squat a few inches before the springs take over (hard to describe).

 

Looks OK to me
What's your road/license requirements for trailer ?

Here it's "axle rating" - "trailer weight"
axle 3500 lbs - empty trailer weight
Example ( 3500 - 1000 ) = 2500 lbs max load.
Gross weight 3500 lbs

Home made :
We get a trailer weight on a certified scale,
take that to DMV get it registered with the specs on the registration .

Get it rated the max you can.
Dont' have to load to max
but hard to weigh loads, may save a ticket