Corrosion affecting payload capacity? Need advice.

I got a Lift A Load gooseneck trailer model # EPG4-314. It has a payload capacity of 7500 lbs and 4 wheels with each wheel rated at 3000 lbs . Trailer weighs about 4100 lbs empty.

http://www.lift-a-load.com/goose.html

Even though the below PDF mentions each " axle " as being rated at 6000 lbs, since the wheels aren't connected by a common axle , I refer to them as wheels instead.

http://www.lift-a-load.com/Lift-a-Load_EPG4-314.pdf

The trailer rises and lowers hydraulically to ground level or loading dock height.


Ok so here is my concern.

The underside of the trailer deck and cross members has corrosion all over. There are rust flakes that can be broken off from the cross members. The corrosion does not go all the way through the cross members but the thickness of the cross members is noticeably reduced . The width/depth and length appear intact .

So should this be of concern? Has the payload capacity been reduced?

The trailer isn't with me right now or else I would post a picture.


I got a lathe that weights 8500 lbs, would it be alright to move it a short distance, like 20 miles with this trailer?

If you look at the specs for the next size up trailer the EPG-514, the payload capacity is 10000 lbs and the only difference between mine and it is that the frame depth is 4" on mine and 5" on the 10,000 capacity one. Both have the same 6000lb 'axles'.

http://www.lift-a-load.com/Lift-a-Load_EPG4-514.pdf

So if I got a welding/fabrication shop to weld in additional cross members of 5 " width/depth parallel to the existing ones, could I then haul 10K lbs?

If you're asking if you can carry a 8500lb. load on a 7500lb.max. wt. trailer legally,the answer of course is no. Could it handle it? Probably yes,but with your corrosion problem[that seems significant],I wouldn't chance it until you bring it to this experienced welding shop for a lookysee.As for beefing it up to legally carry more weight[and I'm assuming you're going to try and up the GVW]that's a very difficult thing to do #1-to try and find a shop that can alter GVW legally.You also have to probably up your suspension and hitch also.

tuney443 said:

If you're asking if you can carry a 8500lb. load on a 7500lb.max. wt. trailer legally,the answer of course is no. Could it handle it? Probably yes,but with your corrosion problem[that seems significant],I wouldn't chance it until you bring it to this experienced welding shop for a lookysee.As for beefing it up to legally carry more weight[and I'm assuming you're going to try and up the GVW]that's a very difficult thing to do #1-to try and find a shop that can alter GVW legally.You also have to probably up your suspension and hitch also.

Click to expand...

I don't have any particular welding/fab shop in mind, so would such a shop be the best place to take my trailer for a professional assessment?

I live in S.E. Wisconsin, just outside of Milwaukee, so if anyone has any recommendations of place to take my trailer to get it checked out or have additional cross members added, I would love to know.

What is most important to me is for the trailer to rise with the lathe on board. I don't have a forklift so this kind of trailer is the only way for me to remove the lathe and load it onto a flat bed trailer or some other trailer.

I don't plan on making it a habit to transport items over the rated payload capacity, just need to this 1 time. So if getting a fab/welding shop to put in additional cross members would do the trick, I would like to go that route.

The trouble with corrosion that is that extensive is that you will have very little parent material to weld to. In severe cases the metal below is so porous that it will have very little strength.

My vote is to scrap the trailer while the price of steel scrap is high.

Scott
welders360