How can I determine my trailer's load capacity?

ultrarunner · Nov 18, 2011

50 years ago when my family was into SCCA racing...

The standard trailer was a single axle, open rail design with no brakes or springs and 10 ply tires.

You may be able to overcome concentrated wheel loading by using 2 x 12 planks under the tires and the number of wheel lugs and the load capacity of the tires will give you a starting point on determining weight...

All the above is of course subject to the laws of your jurisdiction...

me0418840987 · Nov 20, 2011

When I was 16, I started mowing lawns with the same style trailer. I then got interested in running demolition derby cars at the fair. I had no one to haul my car the first year, so I had to do it myself. Put an 88 ford escort on a trailer very similar in design to yours. balanced well, but was probably too heavy.

ultrarunner · Nov 20, 2011

me0418840987 said:
When I was 16, I started mowing lawns with the same style trailer. I then got interested in running demolition derby cars at the fair. I had no one to haul my car the first year, so I had to do it myself. Put an 88 ford escort on a trailer very similar in design to yours. balanced well, but was probably too heavy.

That trailer has hauled everything... even California to Florida and back.

Right now, it looks kind of sad... I have a load of 8 x 8 x 16 poles for a barn project...

Back in it's heyday... it regularly hauled a Lotus Super 7, Shelby 350 Mustang, a 289 AC Cobra and a Ford GT 40 to the International Car Show in San Francisco twice...

All with a single axle and 10 ply tires...

Coyote machine · Nov 20, 2011

As Diamondpilot said it's about balancing the load and the ability of the trailer to handle the load, as well as the tires ability to support the load without blowing a tire. In addition, there is the wheel bearings and their capacity too.
Stronger trailers use beefier axles larger wheels/tires and consequently larger wheel bearings too.
You're best off renting or finding someone with a proper sized trailer to transport your play- pal's tractor to your sand lot- for everyone's safety.:thumbsup: