Trailer capacity question

IXLR8 · Aug 28, 2013

Hi,
I recently bought a used Cam Superline 18' trailer. Seller said it was rated for 11,500lbs, VIN tag was hard to read but it looked like it said something like that... so I believed him. Nothing else on the tag was readable so I contacted Cam, gave them the VIN from the title and they sent me a new VIN tag. Here are the specs from the tag.
GVWR- 11960 lbs
GAWR- 5200 lbs

If each of the 2 axles are rated at 5200 lbs, 10400 lbs total, how can the trailer be rated at 11960 lbs??
Should I consider the safe limit, so I have some margin, to be less than 10000 lbs?

I will be towing a Kioti DK40 TLB which weighs in around 8000 lbs, I just want to be sure I am safe. I don't expect to be towing it more than 20 miles from home, but I don't want any issues. I have seen the results of a not properly loaded trailer carrying a medium sized bulldozer take a sweeping corner at what should have been a reasonable speed, ~20mph in a 35mph zone.... it was not pretty.

TIA

SageBrush · Aug 28, 2013

The rating is based on including a tongue or pin weight.

BUT, GVWR is the TOTAL weight with the load. That means the trailer is rated to the estimated 11960 with the axles and the weight on the tow vehicle. Actually, you need to know the trailer's weight to know the payload figure. So, if your real annal you would weigh the trailer at a scale then subtract that number from the GVWR to determine the real world payload rating.

IMO, that trailer is a bit light for an 8K load, but would get it done till it breaks. You already have it so you might as well try it, but its not ideal. Might be OK around town. I hope you have a truck that can handle a 10K load in the real world.

I prefer 8 lug axles, say at least 7K's with the 16" D or E rated tires. If the trailer weighs 2K your about maxed out axle wise, I rather have more room for durability. A little 20' dove tail flat deck goose neck trailer with 7K's would handle it fine.

I had a trailer with 5200 lbs axels that hauled about 11,000 and the 15" tires took a beating. Maybe you have something different, but I never liked my 5200 equipped trailer. It was always maxed out tire wise and the 15" trailer tires from China suck! I run American made LT tires on my stuff now.

Sysop · Aug 28, 2013

Sagebrush is correct, they're adding the tongue weight capacity and the axle capacity to provide the overall capacity. Everyone prefers capacity overkill for longevity. For your occasional short trips you should be fine, just take it slow, avoid the bumps, and make sure the tractor is secured well. When transporting a tractor, the air pressure in the tires should be increased to make the tires more rigid. This reduces the amount the tractor can bounce and lean during the trip and allows it to be secured better to the trailer. Also be sure you have real trailer tires on the trailer and not passenger car tires. It is a common thing for people to put car tires on old trailers, which is VERY dangerous.

IXLR8 · Aug 28, 2013

Thanks for the input.
I just checked the tires. They are all in good shape, they are Load range 'D' rated trailer tires but they are 'Made in China'.

I guess it is time to start looking for 'Made in USA' tires with a better rating.
I had emailed CAM about the load rating on the trailer and I got this from them.
This trailer is a 2003 5CAM18. It has a GVWR of 11,960 and the empty wt is 2630# which gives it a payload of 9330#.
Between the trailer rating and the tires.. it looks like I am going to be running close to the limit. I am glad I am only going to be using it only 2-3 times a year for short hauls on back roads.

Gary Fowler · Aug 28, 2013

Sounds like you have a good half ton safety margin as long as your tires are correct one. You may want to look at upgrading your tires to Load Range E if you can find some to fit your rim. I don't think the LR D tires are rated to carry 11,960 pounds or even 8000# tractor and 2630 # trailer weight combined. Check the tires, the should have a load weight figure stamped on the tire.

IXLR8 · Aug 28, 2013

Again, thank you all for your input and guidance.
Looks like new tires, E rated, are going to be in order. 3 of the tires are China made, D rated at 2560 lbs, one of them is Canadian made, C rated at 2150 lbs.

Diamondpilot · Aug 28, 2013

Time for new tires. Best on the market, better than any American tire, is the Korean made Greenball Tow Master 10 ply load range E. For your trailer get 225 75 15's

Chris