G23 Actual Gross Weight

[SoCal G-Man]

I asked my dealer to verify that the SBT Trailer that came with my boat had the capacity to carry it... Apparently, they are bad at math!

[GMLIII]

I didn’t know that was you on Facebook at Nautique Owners . Anyway I think this trailer is fine for a G23 with fuel and gear

[SoCal G-Man]

The SBT trailer is rated at 8,000-lbs max. This was an issue that concerned me when I bought it. When I asked, my dealer assured me that I was good based on the same weight numbers everyone . However, I just added 300-lbs of lead, and thought I would check since I was driving by the scale today... much to my surprise, it is over even without the lead. This explains why my bearings are always warmer on this trailer than previous ones. I actually called SBT last season and the owner also assured me that his trailer is fine. Definitely a concern since I trailer everywhere.

[GMLIII]

The SBT trailer is rated at 8,000-lbs max. This was an issue that concerned me when I bought it. When I asked, my dealer assured me that I was good based on the same weight numbers everyone . However, I just added 300-lbs of lead, and thought I would check since I was driving by the scale today... much to my surprise, it is over even without the lead. This explains why my bearings are always warmer on this trailer than previous ones. I actually called SBT last season and the owner also assured me that his trailer is fine. Definitely a concern since I trailer everywhere.

Still at 9,200 lbs or whatever your weighed in at today on the scales seems crazy high IMHO

[SoCal G-Man]

Still at 9,200 lbs or whatever you weighed in at today on the scales seems crazy high IMHO

I thought so too, but combined was 15,260. That puts my Yukon XL at 6,040, which is accurate given fluids, hitch and gear. My previous boat weighed more than advertised, but not by much. Also, the old trailer was rated much higher, so it was not a safety issue.

[Infinity]

Your weight includes the trailer which would be about 1500lbs for a tandem, so actual boat is below 8000.
Guessing that trailer rating does not include the weight of the trailer and why they call it good? Tho I realize that each axle being rated at 4000 would have to be good enough for both combined and regardless, I agree that I would want my trailer to be rated well above what I am hauling to be on the safe side.
Was just throwing out an idea on why they likely think its good to go as-is.

[Beach-TJ]

Gvwr ( gross vehicle weight rating ) is total trailer weight, that's trailer plus load. So your 1,200 lbs over that trailers max rating. (8000 - 9200 = 1200 over )

[Beach-TJ]

While your bearings and axles will give you problems, I would check if your overloading the tires. If so there prone to blowing.

[j2nh]

Send the weight slip to both the dealer and boat trailer manufacturer. Ask them again if the trailer with boat is operating within the safety limits of the trailer and ask them to put it in writing if they believe that it is.

Something about putting it in writing generally gets their attention and if they say yes you have something to stand on in the event of a failure. If the weights are correct I would bet they will give you more than lip service and address the issue. As Infinity states, check the ratings on the tires and even the bearings themselves.

I would personally be uncomfortable in your situation. Big boats need big trailers. Not a G guy by any means but don't G23's normally come with triple axle trailers?

[SoCal G-Man]

While your bearings and axles will give you problems, I would check if your overloading the tires. If so there prone to blowing.

They are definitely overloaded. 5-Lug Wheels = 2,200-lbs each. Tires = 2,271-lbs each.

[SoCal G-Man]

This entire process has been sobering! I have learned that the dry weights provided by the manufacturers (Boat and Trailer) are estimates and do not include options and equipment. Whether it is 5.3-lbs of vinyl added for a graphic on each side and the 67-lbs added by the cooler full of water drinks and ice in the G23 floor, or the spare tire carrier and step ladder on the trailer, these are not considered. Upon perusing my G23 owners manual, I found the disclaimer (section 2-1) about this.

I have also learned that most of us carry 300-400-lbs of gear to and from the water in our boats. (NOT INCLUDING BALLAST LEAD!) From anchors and coolers, to boards and life jackets. I initially weighed a few items. However, I weighed everything that I take to my local lake for a 1-day trip for a family of 5, and it was 312-lbs. No tubes, no extra boards or jackets for guests, etc.

My dealer - Sun Country Marine - realizes that they have a significant liability here, and the manager has reached out to the trailer manufacturer to get it resolved and get my trailer upfitted with 5K axles, and new wheels and tires. Hopefully, at minimal (if any) cost to me to swap it out.

I highly suggest that G23 or G25 owners weigh their boats and trailers loaded and full of fuel to make sure you are not over your limit.

[Beach-TJ]

If i remember correctly dry weight refers to no fluids. So oil, v drive, transmission fluid as well as that full tank of gas are not included. Cooling fluid also for these new engines.
Gas is about 6 lbs per gallon.

[Infinity]

This entire process has been sobering! I have learned that the dry weights provided by the manufacturers (Boat and Trailer) are estimates and do not include options and equipment. Whether it is 5.3-lbs of vinyl added for a graphic on each side and the 67-lbs added by the cooler full of water drinks and ice in the G23 floor, or the spare tire carrier and step ladder on the trailer, these are not considered. Upon perusing my G23 owners manual, I found the disclaimer (section 2-1) about this.

I have also learned that most of us carry 300-400-lbs of gear to and from the water in our boats. (NOT INCLUDING BALLAST LEAD!) From anchors and coolers, to boards and life jackets. I initially weighed a few items. However, I weighed everything that I take to my local lake for a 1-day trip for a family of 5, and it was 312-lbs. No tubes, no extra boards or jackets for guests, etc.

My dealer - Sun Country Marine - realizes that they have a significant liability here, and the manager has reached out to the trailer manufacturer to get it resolved and get my trailer upfitted with 5K axles, and new wheels and tires. Hopefully, at minimal (if any) cost to me to swap it out.

I highly suggest that G23 or G25 owners weigh their boats and trailers loaded and full of fuel to make sure you are not over your limit.

Very smart of you too look into that further and take it the extra step with the dealer, since if you have any kind of accident (whether your fault or not)...and especially if the trailer fails and causes an accident, not only could it end up being 100% on you, but it will open you up to personal liability as well as fines, etc. In this "sue happy" society, attorneys look for any possible reason to come after your assets. DMV/DOT can also hit you for not having properly weighted tags for your vehicle. Insurance could potentially deny covering the claim/liability saying you acted in an unsafe manner and exhibited negligent behavior, etc. A situation like that has the potential to get nasty in a worst case scenario.

Its my understanding (I could be wrong in this case)....that the trailer brand used to go with boats, is dealer dependent. The boat manufacture does not specify the brand of trailer, the dealer orders from a company that they like to deal with.

FYI....dry weight, also does not include the tower/speakers/board racks/etc, and that alone could be a fairly significant addition to your weight. My boat is 4600 dry, but actually weighs about 6300lbs without the trailer. Add approx 1500lb tandem Boatmate trailer and I sit at 7800lbs (I have not weighed my boat/trailer combined, but know my boat weight since where I had it dry docked 2yrs ago...they weighed it there since they charged yearly rate, based on size and weight of each boat). The GVWR on my trailer is 8175lbs (weird since I DO have 2 - 5000lb axles) but then there is also a tire size limitor sticker on there, that says that a 255/55/18 will limit the actual trailer LOAD to 6775lbs....My tires are "extra load" M+S tires and are rated for 2271lbs each... So I am dang close to my limits too and without research, you would think that I have PLENTY of extra weight to spare.

Vehicles get confusing too....my new truck is rated to tow 11,340.....yet the GVWR is 17,000. I would hit the gross rating MUCH faster than the trailer rating and probably be illegal once I hit around 9k lbs trailer, I figure 8000 trailer weight is the most I can legally pull with my truck.

[SoCal G-Man]

Very smart of you too look into that further and take it the extra step with the dealer, since if you have any kind of accident (whether your fault or not)...and especially if the trailer fails and causes an accident, not only could it end up being 100% on you, but it will open you up to personal liability as well as fines, etc. In this "sue happy" society, attorneys look for any possible reason to come after your assets. DMV/DOT can also hit you for not having properly weighted tags for your vehicle. Insurance could potentially deny covering the claim/liability saying you acted in an unsafe manner and exhibited negligent behavior, etc. A situation like that has the potential to get nasty in a worst case scenario.

Its my understanding (I could be wrong in this case)....that the trailer brand used to go with boats, is dealer dependent. The boat manufacture does not specify the brand of trailer, the dealer orders from a company that they like to deal with.

FYI....dry weight, also does not include the tower/speakers/board racks/etc, and that alone could be a fairly significant addition to your weight. My boat is 4600 dry, but actually weighs about 6300lbs without the trailer. Add approx 1500lb tandem Boatmate trailer and I sit at 7800lbs (I have not weighed my boat/trailer combined, but know my boat weight since where I had it dry docked 2yrs ago...they weighed it there since they charged yearly rate, based on size and weight of each boat). The GVWR on my trailer is 8175lbs (weird since I DO have 2 - 5000lb axles) but then there is also a tire size limitor sticker on there, that says that a 255/55/18 will limit the actual trailer LOAD to 6775lbs....My tires are "extra load" M+S tires and are rated for 2271lbs each... So I am dang close to my limits too and without research, you would think that I have PLENTY of extra weight to spare.

Vehicles get confusing too....my new truck is rated to tow 11,340.....yet the GVWR is 17,000. I would hit the gross rating MUCH faster than the trailer rating and probably be illegal once I hit around 9k lbs trailer, I figure 8000 trailer weight is the most I can legally pull with my truck.

It can be misleading if you do not do the math on GVWR, GCWR and Towing Capacities. Obviously, you have done your homework. Many people are out there towing unsafe, overloaded trailers based on false assumptions or misinformation.

I have owned a consulting business with mostly attorneys as clients for years. I have recently spent hours upon hours asking questions about my boat and trailer issues. While my G23 qualifies as a Lemon in California based on usability issues, my SBT trailer issue falls under negligent or fraudulent misrepresentation. I decided to give my dealer, Sun Country Marine, and Nautique the opportunity to resolve boat and trailer issues, and I am awaiting answers on both. I am hoping for a successful outcome on both. We shall see!

FYI - You are correct in your assessments and observations about a case like that getting nasty. In California, with an accident that is based on trailer/equipment failure, the insurance company will sue the trailer dealer and trailer manufacturer as well. I recently witnessed such an event with Mercury Insurance suing the dealer and manufacturer, as well as a supplier to the manufacturer over an $80k claim.

[SoCal G-Man]

I spoke with my dealer - Sun Country Marine - last week. They contacted Sport Boat Trailers (SBT) about my issue. The dealer advised that SBT pushed back, but, if I take my trailer to the dealer, they will get it to SBT and have them swap everything to a 10K. It will cost me $1300. Most boat trailer manufacturers don’t charge that much to go from 8k to 10k, but they will be adding new axles, and new wheels/tires that are 6-lug. Bottom Line: Weigh your boat and trailer when it is full of fuel and gear! That way you know that you are towing safely! I am still waiting for a solution from Nautique on my Lemon G23 before I pull the trigger on upgrading the trailer.