Axles, Hubs and Bearings - Yes there is a difference
     Our axles have #3500 carrying capacity. The way the capacity is determined is by the size of the hub (on the end of the steel axle shaft) and the size of the bearings. The photo below illustrates the difference between our hubs and bearings and another leading manufacturer. Bigger is better because it reduces friction and dissipates heat better.  

 Pontoon trailer hub and bearings

Axles - Spring Suspension Versus Torsion Axles

In a spring axle the springs absorb the shock of the bump in the road. In a torsion axle rubber cords inside the axle absorb the shock of the same bump in the road.  Most pontoon boat trailers use a spring axle suspension, because it is cheaper. Manufacturers who use torsion axles pay a premium for this style of axle with the benefit of time and labor savings in assembling the axle to the frame. The reported benefit of torsion axles, besides the manufacturing time savings, is that they are claimed to give a better ride. Rubber “cords” inside the axle absorb road shock, while road shock is passed onto the springs on a spring axle pontoon trailer. There is controversy regarding which system is better for  pontoon trailers and the internet is full of pro and con postings.  We find a benefit in torsion axles on single axle trailers, as they do offer a smoother ride.  As you might be able to recognize the diference with a small tow vehicle on a single axle trailer where vibration is easily transferred. 

Torsion axles attached to a common frame, each axle reacts the same to shock
The back axle hits the hole with the same force as the front

Not all fenders protect your pontoon tubes equally

The purpose of fenders is to keep stones & debris off of your pontoon tubes and the sides of your boat.  They also protect those driving behind you, anyone who has driven behind a dump truck knows why this is important.  You dont want to be responsible replacing someones windshield?  Some pontoon trailer fenders are simple single axle molder nylon fenders that they just double up on tandem axle trailers.  Yes this makes them street legal but is it effective? 

 NOT OURS, but those of a leading brand, we don’t use cap fenders.
 

Pontoon Trailer Tires

Left to Right    -   13” /  12” /  10”     

The larger the tire the less rotation while traveling and it runs cooler. Heat is a tire’s worse enemy.  The pieces of rubber you see along the highway (usually from semi’s) are caused by overheating and tire failure.  The 10" tire you see on the far right was used for years, as it made the trailer sit lower to the ground; Making loading the boat on the trailer easier.  These are still used to this day on many snow mobile trailers, however snowmobile trailers travel mostly in winter months where boat trailers are used in the summer.  

Our Tires that we use on our trailers

      ST205/75R14D                    ST185/80R13D                               ST145R12E                  

• Our 14" radial tire is the ST205/75R14 load range D is what is used on our Super Duty tandem axle trailers and our Heavy Duty triple axle trailers, it has a carrying capacity of 2040 lbs. at 65 psi.
• Our 13" radial tire is the ST185/80R13 load range D is used on our Single Axle and Tandem axle bunk style trailers, it has a carrying capacity of 1610 lbs. at 65 psi.
• Our 12" radial tire is the ST145R12 load range E is used on our Centerlift style trailers, it has a 1520 lb. carrying capacity at 80 psi. 

Other Tires used by different trailer manufacturers

  ST205/75R14C        ST185/80R13C          ST145R12D      205/65-10 LR-E Bias ply tire

• The ST205/75R14 load range C has a carrying capacity of 1925 lbs. at 60 psi.
• The ST185/80R13 load range C has a carrying capacity of 1480 lbs. at 50 psi.
• The ST145R12 load range D has a carrying capacity of 1220 lb. at 65 psi. 
• The 205/65-10 load range E Bias ply has a carrying capacity of 1650 lbs. at 90 psi.

*The 10" tire and wheel has a high carrying capacity but also a high failure rate, as the high revelutions per minute increase the heat of the tire.  Mixed with the high psi of the tire, this leads to a huge increase in tire blow outs.

To calculate tire carrying capacity, multiplying the load capacity of the tires, less the weight of the trailer. Four ST185/80R13 C tires at 1480 lbs. capacity tires on a trailer that weighs 1200 lbs. gives you a carrying capacity of 4720 lbs.  This seems fine but the difference in load range on trailer tires shows more than just carrying capacity.  The difference between each load range is 2 plys to the tires, and the thickness of the sidewall.  A load range C tire has 6 plies, where a load range D has 8 plies but the bigger difference is in the sidewall of the tire.  Most load range C tires have a sidewall thickness of 5mm, where the same tire in a load range D often has a sidewall thickness of 8mm or more.  This makes the tire stronger, especially against the horizontal forces created from turning a trailer, especially during tight turns.  The same tight turns often required to back a trailer in at a boat ramp.  

Find out more about trailer tires and their load ranges here.

   Before you buy a trailer, look at the rating of the tires.  Trailer weights are on the manufactures statement of origin (the title) Salesmen and literature can be mistaken about capacity, but the tire doesn’t lie. The bigger the tire the cooler the tire will run on hot pavement. The low profile 10” (fat-snowmobile style) is popular on some pontoon trailers to keep the towing profile low, but on a long run the wide tread can become hot. That’s one of the reasons this type of tire is primarily used on cold weather trailers.