2018 G23 - Safe towing. Tandem or Triple Axle?

[NautiqueG23]

Hello all! While I am new to registering to this forum, I have been a Nautique guy since I bought a new Team210 in 2010, upgraded to a G21 in 2015 and just ordered a 2018 G23. I tow with a 2016 F50 Diesel, so I know the rig will pull the G23 fine (as it does the G21), my concern lies in the trailer axles.

My G21 trailer uses smaller (16 inch I believe) rims on its tandem axle. I'm considering moving up to the 18 inch rims for the G23 for purely cosmetic reasons. My concern is safety towing as I make a 1,000 mile round trip two to three times a year, my other towing is the 1/2 mile from the storage unit to my ramp. (I've read Jeff's post about safe towing...it started this search)

From a load bearing perspective, is it unsafe to go with an 18 inch rim unless you go with a triple axle for the Gseries? Thanks for your help!

[gundogg]

I have had this same discussion with our dealership and many people in the industry lately. It probably depends on how far you are towing and how often you tow. It will make it on ratings i understand, but just barely. Here is the trailer company response:

Thank you for the email and I will be glad to answer your question. On the G23 XL model, the GVWR rating is 10,000 lbs which is due to two factors. Factor one is that we use 5200 lb axles on the XL Version along with the 15” wheels. In this scenario, you actually have 10,400 lbs of axle capacity but your 15” wheels/tires is the limiting factor of 10,000 lbs thus making the GVWR rating 10,000 lbs. On the G23 standard trailer, we use 4,200 lbs axles thus making it 8,400 lbs however we still use 15” wheels/tires so in this case, the axles are your limiting factor. The reason the 10k trailer only can use 15” wheel is the 18” wheels can’t carry a carrying capacity of 10,000 lbs in a tandem axle configuration but only a triple axle configuration. This is why if you want 10k GVWR, you must go with a triple axle if you want 18” wheels. Hope this answer your questions and if you need anything else, don’t hesitate to let me know.

[Tallredrider]

So why do I have 18 inch wheels on my tandem 2016 Boatmate trailer? Which trailer company gave you that response?

I do know that my tires have around 9K capacity, now I need to go double check if there is a labeled axle rating.

[gundogg]

That was boatmates response when I contacted them a few months ago. I have gone back and forth with this decision on which configuration to go with... as if picking colors wasn't difficult enough! I trailer about half my trips so I want to be sure I have capacity, but I prefer the look of tandem trailer. And I am not sure the tri-axle will be much fun backing into the driveway at the cabin.

[Infinity]

How is it that an 18" tire cannot carry as much as 15"?
How much does a G23 weigh that they think it will get anywhere near 10k lbs?

[greggmck]

Do yourself a real favor and upgrade to the 10,000lb triple-axel trailer. The triple is much safer towing the G23 because it has a 150lb tongue weight compared to the 675-700lb tongue weight of the G23 on a tandem-axel trailer. The triple-axle sits squarely under the center of mass of the boat and greatly reduce the suspension load on your tow vehicle making it handle much like when you are not towing. Add electric braking and towing the G23 is a dream.

Finally, smaller diameter wheels (15") have a greater side wall load rating than the 18" tires. Backing up the triple is not much different than the tandem.

See my post:

https://www.planetnautique.com/vb5/f...286#post542286

[Tallredrider]

I have the 4200 lb axles. So my trailer has an 8400 lb capacity, even though my tires can handle a little more.

I re-read the response from boatmate, and I think he is saying that if you want 10,000 pound rating, you need the triple axle. He is not necessarily saying that you cannot have 18's on a tandem, just that it cannot be 'beefed up' to handle 10,000 pounds as a tandem axle with 18's.

You can beef up the axles on a tandem and get to 10k, but you have to use 15 inch tires.

It seems that every trailer manufacturer is putting these trailers right at the limit, given the weight of these boats.

[gundogg]

That is exactly what he was saying. Two ways to get the 10k rating and 18” tandem was. Or one. 8400 should be fine, but if you have lots of extra gear it gets closer than it should be.


Sent from my iPhone using PLT Nautique

[Sailfun]

8400 seems reasonable. Boat at 5900. The usual gear in aboat 300 more. Fuel 400 lbs. Trailer weight supported by a axles 800 lbs. Total 7400 lbs. This assumes you don't have extra batteries and lead in your boat.