Anyone prudently assess load capacity of this trailer?

[TinyHouseDweller]

You will notice, one axle, U-beams (not rectangular beams), I can provide measurements if important. I assume it was for a boat before?
What range of load capacity do you all assess this thing might have? Range makes more sense to me than one ballpark figure

Alternatively, how do YOU assess load capacity if a trailer has no markings? What do the experienced of you look out for?

 

[Onyrlef]

View attachment 175717
You will notice, one axle, U-beams (not rectangular beams), I can provide measurements if important. I assume it was for a boat before?
What range of load capacity do you all assess this thing might have? Range makes more sense to me than one ballpark figure

Alternatively, how do YOU assess load capacity if a trailer has no markings? What do the experienced of you look out for?

There may be a plate or stamped data on the axle. You may have to clean it up to find.

 

[TinyHouseDweller]

Thanks. The trailer has no markings, it looks old to me, no?

 

[Onyrlef]

Thanks. The trailer has no markings, it looks old to me, no?

You'd likely have to crawl around under the axle to find the data plate. Looks to me like a 5-7.5 k, but no telling.

 

[Arch Hoagland]

What are you planning to use it for?

 

[TinyHouseDweller]

Ok thx Onyrlef, I will crawl under it tomorrow morning IF it's not pissing
----
"What are you planning to use it for?"
The trailer owner insists it can carry my tiny house (don't think of real house, think of shack, with full feature interior though ) I had always transported it on a truck (real truck, not car!) but that's frail/old, and the benefit of a trailer (if suitable!) is it can be lower on the ground (without taking it off), safer in storms (Milton & Helene), and can be reoriented with the seasons,...). So, I guess, on a trailer, would have quite a few pros, no?
I don't have to pay for the trailer. But I will pay dearly if the trailer breaks apart!!!!

 

[rvlifer]

You cant go by only the dimensions of the frame. There are different grades of steel that dramatically affect how much weight a steel beam can carry.

You might be able to get in the ballpark of how much that can carry if you can identify the axle. Here is some info on how to do that

https://www.etrailer.com/question-143680.html

 

[TinyHouseDweller]

I would never go by "the dimensions of the frame", no.
I would go by thickness of the steel, and quality of the axle.
Is okay?
Thx for the link, as said, it's a foreign no name trailer, not a "brand" as eTrailer of course assume.
But after work I will read through all comments if anything helps. Cheers. I also aim to crawl underneath when the sun is up (IF).

 

[rvlifer]

Steel comes in a lot of different grades that affect strength, deflection, and other properties so it isnt just about the thickness

What Are The Different Types of Steel & Steel Grades? - Metal Supermarkets

Steel is one of the most versatile and useful materials on the planet. Learn more about the different types of steel and steel grades.

www.metalsupermarkets.com

 

[rvlifer]

I found out about that when building the last house i lived in. The architect specified a certain type and dimension of steel beam. When i talked to the steel manufacturer they recommended a different beam that was stronger and larger than the engineers specs. I was able to eliminate posts in a 3 1/2 car garage and the steel beams were less expensive

 

[rvlifer]

If you can weld or have any friends that can it would probably be easy to upgrade the frame. The axles are probably the limiting factor on how much that can carry

 

[Tulecreeper]

There may be a plate or stamped data on the axle. You may have to clean it up to find.

Ok thx Onyrlef, I will crawl under it tomorrow morning IF it's not pissing
----
"What are you planning to use it for?"
The trailer owner insists it can carry my tiny house (don't think of real house, think of shack, with full feature interior though ) I had always transported it on a truck (real truck, not car!) but that's frail/old, and the benefit of a trailer (if suitable!) is it can be lower on the ground (without taking it off), safer in storms (Milton & Helene), and can be reoriented with the seasons,...). So, I guess, on a trailer, would have quite a few pros, no?
I don't have to pay for the trailer. But I will pay dearly if the trailer breaks apart!!!!

Take a wire brush or wheel with you (and eye protection) when you look at the axle. For some reason, the plates are usually on the bottom side.

 

[CharlesinGA]

That's a torsion axle, probably a Dexter. This web page will help you locate the sticker OR stampings and identify it.

I have seen older Dexter axles with a stamped metal plate tack welded to the axle. Chalk, wire brush, scotchbrite, all will help.

Charles

 

[TinyHouseDweller]

When i talked to the steel manufacturer they recommended a different beam that was stronger and larger than the engineers specs

Hmm, I was going to say "because it makes them more money"
But seeing you got it cheaper, maybe they sold you B grade?

Anyway, I know that steel comes in different grades, I didn't visit Earth yday but it's NOT sth I could visibily assess, but thickness I can.
There's so much about theory, and so much about practicality. I go with the first when I can, and with the latter when I can't.

"upgrade the frame." Yes! That's what I plan to do IF you with me (and Wisdom too, chatgpt) determine that it's insufficient. BUT: just reinforcing the steel is insufficient still: I'd need to be confident that the axle can handle the weight also. I am not.
The guy insisting "it will work!!!" is s.o. who always "knows everything best". I am the studied guy, overly cautious.

 

[Tulecreeper]

As was mentioned, even assuming the trailer is structurally sound your limiting factor will be the axle and tire rating.

 

[Tulecreeper]

What is that circled in red? It doesn't appear to be the axle as it is offset in front of the tires and it doesn't look like the tire on this side is attached to it. It kind of looks like the wheels might each have their own spindles attached directly to the frame. I also don't see any springs.

Edit: Never mind, I see it's a torsion axle.