Am i overloading my m101?

[semlin]

So do I empty any out?

last night i filled my m101 trailer to the brim with top soil I had stored beside the house. Plan was to take it to a buddy tonight as he needs some. The springs are now almost perfectly horizontal maybe sagging slightly. However, I just did a volumetric calculation and it is a little worrying.

I estimate capacity is 32.35 cubic feet (average 43" wide * 18" deep * 72" long)
converted to cubic metres = .9126 m3

according to the link below the bulk density of soil ranges from .9 to 1.8 Mg/m3 and averages 1.3-1.4 Mg/m3

http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/doetqp/courses/env320/lec5/Lec5.html

That means the dirt weighs anywhere from 820 kg and up (1800 lbs +). It is probably close to the minimum since it was pretty close to bone dry.

I know it has a rated capacity of 1250 lbs but it also has a 3500lb rated axle.

What do folks think? It has to go 5 miles across town. It would be a pain to unload any and truck it back down to my back yard

 

[wesintl]

probably, but they are meant to be abused.

5 miles, no big deal.

I've had my m416 axles on the bumpstops.

 

[brownbear]

I don't think you are over loaded. The on highway rating is 1300 lbs I think not 1250.... Not that 50 makes diff.

That'll be a pain to shovel it all in and then shovel it all out. You need a tailgate cut in there.

I am still working on my tailgate. I have it cut out, and hinges installed. Next is some angle iron on the edges and some chain supports. Will post it up after.

 

[semlin]

well 1800 lbs is more than 1250 or 1300. i do agree about the tailgate but it was not difficult to fill. we'll see how it is to unload shortly.

 

[Mark W]

No big deal. I had my M416 loaded to 1250-1300 pounds for a week on the trail. 250 highway miles to get there and then about 200 trail miles. Bumping slow over rocks and bashing fast down riverbeds.

IMHO,The military rating is based on a rig driven cross country by a scared 19 year old recruit who is under enemy fire.


Mark...

 

[Koffer]

These things love it
heres a post about mine a few weeks ago

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=91910

 

[brownbear]

well 1800 lbs is more than 1250 or 1300. i do agree about the tailgate but it was not difficult to fill. we'll see how it is to unload shortly.

Either way I don't think your too overloaded. Really. That rating is very conservative. Like mentioned above, is also for the scared recruit being shot at.

Think about it this way. I have loaded 2000lbs plus in a 1/2 tonne pick up. So that would be double the rating. The truck was ok, the springs were compressed, but I could drive to the dump.

For the short distance I think its fine, not overloaded. But can you snap a picture of how the springs are sitting and post it up. Would like to see how low it looks......

 

[Klunky Chris]

so, having never hauled a trailer that heavy before what are the dangers of overloading?

Is the worry, that the axle might fail? (and how?)
does it act way strange and dangerous on the road or something?

Just interested cause with any luck I'll be joining the ranks of M101CDN sometime soon and will be using it around the farm here!

 

[semlin]

photo of it loaded to the brim with dirt is not too impressive really, although later in the day i had some fun.

 

[Snook]

18 Drywalls sheets x 70lbs @ = 1200lbs as seen in photo.

The 1967 M416 trailer did dropped only by 1 1/2".

My main concern is the current condition of 39 years old trailer tube tires which should be replace as a precaution.

Last summer, during heat wave, I threw in a blue trap over and fill it up with water up to the rim and leave on the driveway for girls to cool. But there is wood blocks and brick support underneath.

Cheers,

 

[Mark W]

so, having never hauled a trailer that heavy before what are the dangers of overloading?

Is the worry, that the axle might fail? (and how?)
does it act way strange and dangerous on the road or something?

Just interested cause with any luck I'll be joining the ranks of M101CDN sometime soon and will be using it around the farm here!

Not speaking specifically of these trailers, but in general, overloading can cause bearings to fail, axles to bend, springs to bend/break.

Depending on how it is loaded handling can be affected (if the center of gravity is too far back it will want to wag the tail of the rig... but it will do this with just a few pounds in it if it's loaded incorrectly).


Mark...

 

[Klunky Chris]

thanks Mark!

I have seen a failure before. blazer flew past me on the interstate towing a pop-up.
smoke billowing from the DS trailer wheel.
he got about 1/10 mile in front of me before the wheel CAME OFF

...he was still oblivious and drug it another mile or so before he noticed.... even with everyone honking and flashing lights at him.

Anyway, I figured that was probably a poor maintenance thing and different than overloading. .... although I guess if a bearing failed due to overloading the result would be similar?

 

[brownbear]

These axles on the M101 will probably not fail with what you can load in the small box. They are 3500lb axles. I think you will run out of suspension on the trailer long before.

Also the trailers that have bearing failures generally are on trailer with those tiny fn wheels, 8 inch or even 13 inch... And people doing 70mph with them. I think trailers with those tiny wheels are limited to about 45mph.

All the Uhaul trailers have that 45mph stickers on them. The rpms the little wheels are spinning at is incredible.

If I was pulling a trailer with little wheels I would make sure the bearings where nicely greased every time I left for a long journey.

The 16 inch tires on our M101's are not going to blow out from bearing failure. Although it should still be maintained the same as any trailer.

I am surprised the regulations are not tougher on trailers. You see so many rickity home built things that people tow at high speeds and have no safety chains and all. IMOP that's criminal.