I would like to get some input from the more knowledgable people on the forums. I just purchased a brand new aluminum trailer for boat. The boat is a 2003 wellcraft 47' excalibur. I tow twice a year. I contacted Wellcraft and we determined that wet weight without any additional gear is around 19500 lbs. I purchased a 24000 GVW trailer. I was told by them that the trailer weight is around 3500 lbs. It is equipped with 3) 8000lb torsion axles. The tires and wheels are underated at 3750 lbs each, for total of 22500 lbs. The coupler is also underrated at 21000 lbs. I have contacted them and not heard back. I need to get the situation taken care of and wanted to make sure that I am valid in my complaints before going to battle.

I think it is legitimate complaint if you gave builder a weight that the trailer had to perform, in essence a performance spec to meet. My experience in buying trailers, is I have always had to spend extra to upgrade from the base model. Trailer manufacturers and/or dealers can be very chintzy cause of too much competition on price being the focus. Trailer is only as strong as the weakest component. Looks like they simply need to upgrade the tires and coupler.

Couple ways to look at it. To make it "right" you should probably have 17.5 wheels and tires with either a pintle or the big 25k 2 5/16 Atwood coupler. Sounds like you are saying that the total weight on the trailer will be around 23k.........if so, when it's hooked to the truck, the trailer axles will probably have 20k - 21k on them so that's within the capability of the tires but that still doesnt fix the coupler problem. I assume you have G load rated 16" tires? If it was me I wouldnt worry as much about the tires but I'd want a stronger coupler. Also want to make sure you have the right hitch to carry that tonque weight and total weight. Not sure what you're towing with but be careful of using a standard 2" or even 2.5" reciever hitch. I ended up installing a Draw Tite / Reese 3" Super Titan hitch and forged draw bar on my F550 that's good for 5k tonque weight and 25k towed weight. It's the only one I found that was rated for the weights you'll see with these big 20k+ loads on a conventional trailer

Torsion axles should have been heavier. The axle manufacturer's will recommend an increase of 50% per axle on a triple axle trailer because of the stress put on the axles when turning.

I agree with Griff, also, as you may know, specs. are ultimately the responsibility of you, the operator.

Another component, often discounted, are wheels. Properly rated wheels have been known to flex. Flex-ion creates work hardening and heat. Heat transfers to spindles, bearings and tires. Unexplained wheel and tire failure may be traced to weak wheels, especially on the first and third axle.

Some of these trailer dealers hand you a build/spec sheet, and you ASSUME you got a legal product because it is custom built. It is not fair to the consumer who doesn't know to ask the correct questions. Dealers in my area still sell trailers with brakes on one axle only and surge brakes, which isn't legal. Trailers just aren't a well regulated industry. And I'm saying that based from golf cart trailers to low boys that I've learned the expensive way.

Now griff has got me wanting to verify my axles! Learn something every trailer

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Delayed response...Trust me I covered all the bases. My I.Q. is around 81. They story gets way better...They also slid 3) 7k axles under the trailer, blamed it on their supplier. All axle tags (stickers) were removed except for part of one, which I was a able to decipher...Haha, water under the bridge, good times...Three months later I was able to get my boat into the driveway to start repairs. The wasted time and frustration are nothing I will ever be compensated for...I took it upon myself to order 17.5" wheels and tires, and fabricated my own pintle hitch.

whoops

HOLY CRAP! That's impressive looking on a trailer like that.

How well does the Volvo pull it? (What do you tow it with?)

Why would you not have a 5th wheel style trailer for something that big?