How To Determine Load Capacity for a Landscape Trailer

Updated 11/14/2019 | Published 11/13/2019

Products Featured in This Question

Kenda 4.80-12 Bias Trailer Tire with 12" White Wheel - 5 on 4-1/2 - Load Range C

(7492)

$77.58

Pack'Em Rack for Open Utility Trailers - Holds 3 Trimmers, 1 Blower, 1 Line Spool, 1 Cooler

(305)

$269.08

Question:

Hi- I own a 5x8 landscape trailer. It has a 3500lb axle 2 3/8inch diameter under it with new 15x5 Taskmaster Mod wheels and Carlise 6H04581 tires. Load rating C. This tire says max of 1870 lbs @ 50psi. Therefore if i understand it correctly... i can double the 1870 lb tire rating by 2 for a total of 3740 lb capacity for the tires. But the axle being 3500 lb rating, this would be my max carry capacity minus the overall trailer weight. So say the trailer itself weights 1000lbs, I should be able to safely tow a 2000lb item aka, a 1 ton pallet of pellets. Correct? thanks

asked by: Mark

Expert Reply:

The load carrying capacity of a trailer is determined by the manufacturer. That said, there is more that goes into this rating than the axle capacity and wheel/tire capacity so these cannot really be used to determine load carrying capacity. However, if you know the trailer's gross vehicle weight rating that can then be used to determine load carrying capacity because the weight of the trailer when subtracted from the gross vehicle weight rating will then give you your load carrying capacity. The gross vehicle weight rating is usually found on a sticker near the trailer tongue.

If the gross vehicle weight rating cannot be determined and the trailer manufacturer cannot be reached then you will just need to use your best judgment as exact figures will be vary hard to calculate. If you need to know much your trailer weighs empty, you can use the etrailer Tongue Weight Scale part # e99044 to make it quick and easy. I have attached a link with some accessories you might want to consider for a landscape trailer as well like the Pack'Em Rack for Open Utility Trailers part # PK-6-OP1 for example.

expert reply by: Conner L