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Understanding How Cargo Affects
Trailer Capacity
The cargo or gear placed inside a boat while
on a trailer adds to the GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight)
of the trailer, and uses some of the capacity that
may be available for the boat. The combined
weight of the gear, boat, as well as anything else in
or on the boat while trailering must not exceed the
carrying capacity listed for your trailer.
Excessive loads and/or under inflation cause tire
overloading and, as a result, abnormal tire flexing
occurs. This situation can generate an excessive
amount of heat within the tire. Excessive heat
may lead to tire failure. This is the air pressure
that enables a tire to support the load, so proper
inflation is critical. The proper air pressure may be
found on the certification/VIN label and/or on the
Tire Placard. This value should never exceed the
maximum cold inflation pressure stamped on the
tire.
Adverse Safety Consequences of
Overloading on Handling, Stopping
and on Tires
Poor weight distribution can cause trailer sway
(“fishtailing”) and put extra force on your boat, trailer,
towing equipment and tow vehicle, which can result in a
accident, serious injury or death
‘DO NOT exceed your vehicle’s GVWR
Overloading the trailer could produce the following:
•
Increased stopping distances
•
Improper tongue weight
•
Abnormal or premature tire wear
•
Tire failure
•
Suspension failure
•
Decreased cornering stability
•
Brake overheating or failure
•
Undue stress or failure of trailer
components
•
Hull damage
Never exceed the trailer’s listed GVWR
Determining Compatibility of Tire
and Vehicle Load Capabilities
The proper tire for your SKEETER Boat trailer is
listed on the VIN label on the trailer.
Replacing a tire with any tire other than the size
and type indicated on the VIN label should not
be done. Each tire has a maximum load capacity
printed on the sidewall.
The combined sum of the load capacities of
all the tires of the trailer should meet or exceed
the GVWR listed on the VIN label of the trailer. The
Original Equipment Tires are designed to meet
these requirements.
Tire Terminology
Bead: The part of the tire that is made of steel
wires, wrapped or reinforced by ply cords and that
is shaped to fit the rim.
Bead Separation: This is the breakdown of the
bond between components in the bead.
Bias Ply Tire: A pneumatic tire in which the play
cords that extend to the beads are laid at alternate
angles substantially less than 90 degrees to the
centerline of the tread.
Carcass: The tire structure, except tread and
sidewall rubber which, when inflated, bears the
load.
Chunking: The breaking away of pieces of the
tread or sidewall.
Cold Inflation Pressure: The pressure in the tire
before you drive for at least 3 hours.
WARNING
!
WARNING
!
Cord: The strands forming the plies in the tires.
Cord Separation: The parting of cords from
adjacent rubber compounds.
Cracking: Any parting within the tread, sidewall, or
the inner liner of the tire extending to cord
material.
CT: A pneumatic tire with an inverted flange tire
and rim system in which the rim is designed with
rim flanges pointed radially inward and the tire
is designed to fit on the underside of the rim in a
manner that encloses the rim flanges inside the air
cavity of the tire.
Curb Weight: The weight of a motor vehicle with
standard equipment including the maximum
capacity of fuel, oil and coolant, and, if so equipped,
air conditioning and additional weight optional
engine.
Extra Load Tire: A tire designed to operate at
higher loads and at higher inflation pressures than
the corresponding standard tire.
Groove: The space between the adjacent tread
ribs.
Gross Axle Weight Rating: The maximum weight
that any axle can support, as published on the
certification/VIN label on the front left side of the
trailer. Actual weight determined by weighing each
axle on a public scale, with the trailer attached
to the towing vehicle.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: The maximum
weight of the fully loaded trailer, as published
on the certification/VIN label. Actual weight
determined by weighing trailer on a public scale,
without being attached to the towing vehicle. Hitch
Weight: The downward force exerted on the hitch
ball by the trailer coupler.
Inner liner: The layer(s) forming the inside surface
of a tubeless tire that contains the inflating
medium within the tire.
Inner liner Separation: The parting of the inner
liner from cord material in the carcass.
Intended Outboard Sidewall: The sidewall that
contains a white-wall, bears white lettering or
bears manufacturer, brand, and /or model name
molding that is higher or deeper than the
same molding on the other sidewall of the tire or
the outward facing sidewall of an asymmetrical
tire that has a particular side that must always
face outward when mounted on a vehicle.
Light Truck (LT) Tire: A tire designated by its
manufacturer as primarily intended for use on
lightweight trucks or multipurpose passenger
vehicles.
Load Rating: The maximum load that a tire is rated
to carry for a given inflation pressure.
Maximum Load Rating: The load rating for a tire
at the maximum permissible inflation pressure for
that tire.
Maximum Permissible Inflation Pressure: The
maximum cold inflation pressure to which a tire
may be inflated.
Maximum Loaded Vehicle Weight: The sum of
curb weight, accessory weight, vehicle capacity
weight and production options weight.
Measuring Rim: The rim n which a tire is fitted for
physical dimension requirements.
Non-Pneumatic Rim: A mechanical device which,
when a non-pneumatic tire assembly incorporates
a wheel, supports the tire, and attaches, either
integrally or separably, to the wheel center
member and upon which the tire is attached.
Non-Pneumatic Spare Tire Assembly: A non
pneumatic tire assembly intended for temporary
use in place of one of the pneumatic tires and rims
that are fitted to a passenger car in compliance
with the requirements of this standard.
