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Member
Posts: 14
Location: Ohio | I am considering an all-aluminum 2 horse GN trailer that weighs 4000 lb. It has 3500 lb axles.
I have two large horses - close to 1500 lb each.
My understanding is that the 3500 lb axles mean that the trailers loaded weight should be no more than 7000 lb. I am concerned that I may exceed that weight, with horses, tack, hay, feed, water, etc.
Do I need to look for a trailer with larger capacity axles?
When I look at comparable trailers online, I see that they have 5200lb axles.
I saw the response below, which said that the capacity really is 8000 lb since the GN puts 20% of weight on the truck. But why then do comparable trailers have the higher rated axles?
Edited by leekirk711w 2007-08-03 10:58 AM
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Expert
Posts: 2453
Location: Northern Utah | Remember that about 25% of the trailer weight will rest on the GN hitch. So if you have a 8,000 lb total trailer weight. 2000 lbs on GN Hitch and 6000 lbs on axles. |
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Member
Posts: 14
Location: Ohio | Thanks - but I'm still concerned, since it looks like comparable trailers have 5200 lb axles. |
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Expert
Posts: 1391
Location: North of Detroit, MI | as ... said - part of your weight will be carried by the tow vehicle. However, I think you have a good cause of concern. What does the data plate say about the GVWR? Trailers that are expected to have LQ should have axles rated for that additional weight, along with the load of horses. My GN trailer manual says to estimate 10% tongue weight; I try to estimate 20% to be on the safe side (when I'm figuring my payload). Your trailer's data plate should also show what size tires and inflation will give you that maximum axle weight rating. If it were me, I would contact the dealership AND AND AND the manufacturer to get the complete answer from them.
Edited by gabz 2007-08-03 1:51 PM
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Member
Posts: 14
Location: Ohio | This is not a LQ trailer - it has a 4' dressing/tack room. |
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Expert
Posts: 1391
Location: North of Detroit, MI | I was just commenting that trailers that WOULD / COULD have LQ will have much higher axle ratings than those without. Too high an axle rating for the GVWR will simply give you a stiffer / bumpier ride. So anyone who buys a trailer set up for LQ, but doesn't have the conversion done, could find that their horses are more "rattled". It's like the difference between a PU truck meant for hauling large payloads (stiff suspension) versus a luxury car weighing the same but with a much softer suspension. |
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Member
Posts: 14
Location: Ohio | I see your point, and am contacting dealer and mfgr. |
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Expert
Posts: 1391
Location: North of Detroit, MI | I think that if you have 2 horses that weigh that much, you are going to need a larger trailer. period. Check the data plate on the trailer to see what it's GVWR is and ask what the tongue weight / pin weight is for the trailer. |
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Member
Posts: 14
Location: Ohio | Well, this trailer is set up with extra length, width, and height in the horse area. It is plenty big enough for 2 2000lb horses.
Hence my confusion. |
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Expert
Posts: 2828
Location: Southern New Mexico | What is the GVWR on the vin plate? |
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Expert
Posts: 1391
Location: North of Detroit, MI | There should be a Data Plate on the horse trailer. Older trailers may have had their's painted over or removed during a paint job. Different manufacturers put different information on them. It should at least have the VIN and date of manufacture. It may also show axle ratings and GVW. The data plate will NOT show what the trailer weighs. That could be on your vehicle registration .... |
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Member
Posts: 45
| Hi, We have an 04 Alumasport bumperpull that we bought new. It's a 3h with small dressing room/rear tack. It's brochure says it's 4,450lbs empty. Standard axles were 3,500lbs. Add three horses,water and tack and I could be easily looking at or over 8,500-9,000lbs. Take 10-15% off for tongue and I'm OVER the axle ratings. We opted for optional 5,200lb axles. Keifer and others were also 3,500lb axles standard. Bumps and holes in driving surface will change the loads the truck(pin or hitch ball) and all trailer axles are carrying. My 2cents-best to err on safe(overtrucked,overaxled) side. See if they offer axle upgrade--good luck. |
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Member
Posts: 37
| I would spend the extra $400.00 to $500.00 and get the axle upgrade.That way if something does goes wrong the axle company will stand behind them |
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