Upgrading a trailer

[85 Jimmy]

Right now I'm working on a deal on a car hauler. It's 16' with a 2' dovetail, so 18' total and I believe it's a 7,000 lb trailer. What would it take to upgrade this thing to a 10,000 lb trailer? Just axles, suspension, and tires? I'm trying to get the trailer for 600 bucks and it's a solid trailer, the only things that are wrong with it are the fenders are beat, but he has new fenders, just haven't put them on. It has car wheels and tires, so they'll have to be swapped for trailer wheels and tires. And the bushings in the leaf springs are gone, not just worn out, but not even there.
So I figure it already needs new wheels and tires, and I'll atleast have to throw some bushings at the springs, so add in new 5,200 axles and it should be a 10,000 lb trailer, right?
The biggest thing I plan to haul is my blazer, and as of right now the only things that would add weight are the 1-tons and wheels and tires. I haven't run it over a scale to know the weight though.

Does that sound about right?

 

[garyweak84]

Essentially new springs, axles, and properly rated tires would be what is needed to upgrade that trailer. I would determine how the trailer is built right now (frame dimensions) and talk to a company that builds trailers and ask if its strong enough frame wise to haul the full payload the axles can support. Many trailers are built the same but come with various axles. I know for trailers above 10k the frame is usually stepped up in size to support the 10k+ the trailers may get loaded with. This could be an opportunity to go with both braking axles if the current setup is just one braking axle. I would just make sure all the wiring and associated braking components will work with whatever new axles you choose. As long as the trailer is solid enough i wouldn't hesitate to go the route you're thinking. Hope this helps.

Gary

 

[blazinzuk]

I have seen quite a few 7k trailers that the frame is identical to the 10k model. Above 10k they get beefier. Just double check to make sure yours is the heavier frame. Being as long as it is I would thing it would be.

Thats what I will eventually do to my trailer is get new 5k axles. My tires are already the larger size and will handle the weight. I will also upgrade to brakes on both axles

 

[streetrodchev]

Our 10,000 lb trailer has a heavier frame than the simmilar 7,000 lb trailer. It is a 1inch taller frame.

 

[85 Jimmy]

Well I passed on the trailer. Someone told him he could get more then I was willing to pay and more then I think it's worth.