Axle change?

[Stoph]

I seek advice from those who 'may' and hopefully 'will' know better!
My current boat is sitting on an old snipe breakback trailer..its plated at 800kg with trailer weight at 200kg but previous owner has removed the brakes on one side and left the rusty remnants of the other in the drum...nice! I was hoping that boat/engine would come in at under about 550kg so i could get away with an unbraked and simpler lighter trailer coming in at under 750kg. Eventually managed to get it onto a weighbridge and totalled in at 800kg with some of the kit at home in the garage..eek ! Existing axle has had some grotty plate welding reinforcement on it and obviously I cant see what's under there...existing axle is welded on to the side tubes...the question then...I don't want to/can't spend £1800 on a new trailer...I don't want to keep the existing axle due to the dodgy looking repair and think the drums are beyond salvage anyway.. I have seen a complete unused braked axle with wheels and tyres at what looks like a sensible price and its local which is a major bonus.. Current thoughts are get the angle grinder out on the existing axle and bolt on the complete new one....subject to a close check on sizes of course...my question comes in that the potential new axle is a 1300kg unit..now whilst a little extra capacity will be much appreciated and mean I can actually trail the boat with all its gear onboard what are the implications with the plating...obviously I can't leave it plated at 800kg as I will be over that..is it just a case of making up a plate saying max load 1300kg or is there more to it??
Thanks in advance of sensible replies..
Never had these problems with a SIB in the boot!!
Chris

[steco1958]

Give these guys a call SvTech - Special Vehicle Technology

[biffer]

Has the axle got a plate on it. You can buy blank trailer plates

[ashbypower]

Need to ensure also that the Hitch is man enough.. i.e. plated to a working weight of the rest of the Trailer..

[Festinghouse]

you can re plate the trailer to a lighter weight - plate then means thats the max you can weigh even though it could originally carry more. this can mean the difference between being legally able to tow a trailer or not due to combined weights etc.

[Stoph]

Thanks for all the input so far..the axle i had found is on ebay at £280 which is all unused and includes 13" wheels and new tyres...seemed like a good deal to me but having just been out with the tape measure its just too big after all that! Would either need shortening or hefty plates on side rails neither of which i particularly want.. Have had a chat with a local trailer repairer this afternoon and he can get me a made to measure 1000kg braked axle at that price to use my existing wheels and tyres which are almost new anyway..with the ebay one i could have probably sold existing wheels to get some cashback but being sensible an axle that's the right siz
e and still more than adequate for the load is seeming like a better option..good thought on checking hitch rating thanks for that will have another look in daylight tomorrow.

[Stoph]

And heres the current bodge which really is not up to scratch and has to go!!

[Chris Caton]

pm sent