302 Weight?
 

Exactly how much does a 1986 302SR1 with big blocks and Kaamas weigh? I have one and I put it on a New Triple axle Quick Load trailer and have already broke 3 bearing races on the axles in less than 200 miles. Quick Load tells me that the trailer is good for 10,000 lbs and that there is no way I'm over loading it. Also, I have a 1987 F250 with a 7.3 diesel in it and it bearly pulls it! Infact, I have to put in 4-low to get it out of the ramp. I've seen some spec's saying it weighs about 8900 Lbs, but I'm wondering if any one has actually weighed one. I also have pulled my freinds 36 Outlaw with out near the problems.

Call 219-724-1412 & have the serial # handy. Tech support can give you the exact shipping weight as manufactured. My 97 312 Fastech weighs 8050# dry weight with 454's and bravo's. You should not weigh more than that, I do not believe. Weigh the trailer empty at a truck stop & then again with the boat on it.
Even if this weighs 10,000# including the trailer it should not "break" races. Something like race alignment or axle bent. Maybe even something with the surge breaks. Take the trailer to a real good shop specializing in trucks, springs & suspensions. They will probably find the problem. Good luck!

I'm thinking it is either 6900 or 7900 lbs dry. But either way, I pull mine with TRS's on a steel Myco trailer with a Chevy 350 just fine. Don't need low range to pull up a ramp.

Either the trailer is not right, or, God forbid, your boat is water logged. How does the boat run? Does it act sluggish or have a low top end? (As these boats aren't real fast anyway, 60 mph is not a low top end)

How do your trailer tires look? Any signs of scuffing? It's only 200 miles, but you've got a serious problem somewhere.

I wish you good luck.

302SR1, Your boat should wiegh just as chart said 6900-7100 lbs. Check your trailer for level tow hieght. Measure the rail at the front of your trailer and at the rear the two measurements should be the same. I pull a 357SR1 on a triaxle rated for 13000lbs. with no problems. Could also be a bearing tightness issue. Maybe too loose or too tight? Good Luck, MFB

my paperwork says 7000 lbs dry weight, check to see if the foam around the fuel tank is water logged. Paul

MFB had some of the most obvious but easily over looked suggestions. Make sure that thing is level front to back. If not get it lever with a drop or raise hitch or what ever it needs. Jack up the tires and make sure that they are spinning easy but not sloppy loose. Make sure they greased the wheel bearings when they put them together. I have heard a couple people getting trailers with out grease in the bearings. We got a Myco with out fluid in the brake lines and a bad back up selonoid. IF all that stuff checks out then I would look into the allignment and such. You can put the trailer and boat on scale at a weigh station to get your total weight. It is suprising how fast fuel and equipment can add up.

Jon

Thanks for the input. I'm going to put my boat on my buddies boat lift for a couple of days and take the trailer back to quick load to have them check alignment and axle pivot points. The trailer constantly creeks, bangs and clunks over bumps, so I think the problem might be there. I don't think its a water log issue, the boat runs too well. Started with 420's Bored to 468, small cam, Dart intakes, 850 carbs, Gils, 76.8 on GPS and planes rather quick for a Kaama boat

A little late but,
I have a brochure from 1986 fot the F-302 LS and it says the approximate Weight is 6950 lbs. Hope this helps?!?!
Dave

302SR1: What did you learn from the trailer co?

Well trailer co. said there was no problem. So I replaced all the bearings with new Timkens, checked axle alignment myself ( it appears to be fairly square, within a 1/2 inch) and have gone 2 weeks with out a failure. Truck still struggles though. I hope this puts this to bed beacause I want to trailer to the East coast and bot to the islands.

Ping...

I'm curious if the bearings are still holding up. I hope no news is good news.

oooh,

who has the lowdown on the waterlogging issue. This is the second time I have heard mention of this. I don't think I have any issues with my boat, but is there a trick to checking?

ttt

yes how to test/fix water logged foam around tank I am curious too, always thot boat was heavier than it should be

I think I saw once a meter that could measure water content in a hull. Think I saw it on Ship Shape TV. I would assume its a tool used by surveyors. I think it was designed specifically for hulls only and wouldn't work on the foam.

Low budget idea:
Anyone into plants? Don't they make moisture sensitive rods you can stick into the soil to get moisture content? I wonder if this would work? Just a thought. You could push a 1/4" or 3/8" rod in and see how moist it is.

Ship Shape also ran an episode on foaming in a new tank on one of their project boats. My guess is that you would have to take out the old tank, and seal the area and refoam the tank. Important to seal the foam on top as well.

Gotta give me credit for ideas. :) I'm full of them. :)