[Rhodes22-list] Bunk Boards & Axles
Wally Buck
tnrhodey@hotmail.com
Mon, 11 Nov 2002 11:49:21 -0500
Joe,
That is what I was wondering, are you happy with it for your deck? I have
some new decking planned as well.
Wally
>From: "Ware, Joseph W." <joseph_ware@merck.com>
>Reply-To: The Rhodes 22 mail list <rhodes22-list@rhodes22.org>
>To: "'The Rhodes 22 mail list'" <rhodes22-list@rhodes22.org>
>Subject: RE: [Rhodes22-list] Bunk Boards & Axles
>Date: Mon, 11 Nov 2002 11:34:16 -0500
>
>Wally I had a deck built with the stuff. They had to put the joists on 12"
>centers instead of the normal 16". If I look close, I can see slight
>deflection in-between the 12" supports. I'm not sure how this will relate
>to bunks for the boat, but it will deflect easily.
>
>Joe
>S/V Whisper
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Wally Buck [mailto:tnrhodey@hotmail.com]
>Sent: Monday, November 11, 2002 11:26 AM
>To: rhodes22-list@rhodes22.org
>Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Bunk Boards & Axles
>
>
>Rik,
>
>Hey man, I did practice in parking lots, that is how I got to the point
>that
>
>I now can make the tight turn into my driveway, miss my stone mailbox, come
>up the driveway around my little pickup, swing around to the left and park
>the trailer in my two car garage between my wife's car on one side,
>lawnmower and yard tools on the other, with only a foot or two to spare.
>:-)
>
>I used to have to park my Blazer on the street, then move my pickup and our
>Mazda out of the driveway, then back trailer in, then move trailer (it is
>light and well balanced) by hand to get closer to wall, then move vehicles
>back in place. Now I can thread the needle with everything in place.
>Because
>
>of the added length of the R22 I like to use a guide when backing in tight
>spaces, just in case.
>
>I have almost 2500 miles towing in the last year and a half, no problems so
>far. :-) (You can't see it but I knocked on wood). At that rate I will
>catch
>
>up to you in another thousand or so years ...
>
>I like your suggestions for the trailer. I have never really figured out
>who
>
>made my trailer, the title says "Custom" under manufacturer. From
>descriptions it sounds similar to the Triad, mine has the same type of keel
>guide. I would like to add some kind of motor mount to the trailer as well.
>
>Trex (I am not sure of spelling) is a synthetic wood product that a lot of
>people around here use for decking. It is more expensive than wood but
>supposedly last a couple of times longer. I am not sure how strong it is
>compared too wood. I have a friend who used a bunch of it on his decking
>and
>
>he loves it. No splinters, no mildew, no rot, and no termites. He had some
>left over so I used it for bunks when I redid the Bantam's trailer and it
>worked fine. That boat is only 325 pounds though.
>
>As always thanks!
>
>Wally
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> >From: Rik Sandberg <racerrik@rea-alp.com>
> >Reply-To: The Rhodes 22 mail list <rhodes22-list@rhodes22.org>
> >To: The Rhodes 22 mail list <rhodes22-list@rhodes22.org>
> >Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Bunk Boards & Axles Date: Mon, 11 Nov 2002
> >09:10:13 -0600
> >
> >Wally,
> >
> >I would hope there aren't very many drivers out there that are making
> >200.000 miles a year. This would be tough. I wouldn't be real surprised
>to
> >see 150,000 to 170,000 though.
> >
> >Some tractors actually do have a separate light switch for the trailer's
> >clearance/marker lights for use when passing. Almost all trucker are made
> >so that the marker lights and the head lights are on separate circuits
>and
> >can be operated independently. If you see the brake lights flash, that
> >driver probably just pushed/pulled the 4-way flasher button for a couple
> >seconds. That does mean "thanks, appreciate the help".
> >
> >You need to go down to the mall parking lot some evening and practice
> >backing between the lines in the parking lot. Backing is really pretty
> >simple, once you understand the concepts. You will also be far better off
> >if you learn to back using your mirrors only and not twisting around to
> >look over your shoulder or hanging out the window. 'Course, you need
>decent
>
> >mirrors for this. Remember this, if you believe it will be difficult, it
> >will be.
> >
> >On my trailer, I changed up to a six thousand lb. Dexter axle with easy
> >lube spindles, six bolt hubs and electric brakes. If you check out
>Elton's
> >trailer at a show, you will see that the new single axle triads are done
> >like this now. I don't know if I would try the electric brakes for
> >saltwater dunking, but I have had excellent luck so far in fresh only. I
> >also went to 16 inch (obviously six hole, also) heavy duty wheels and
>tires
>
> >and I added a pair of 5 leaf 5900 lb springs. All of these things bolted
> >right on to the existing spring hangers, frame, etc., it was a very
>simple
> >change over. I did have to move the fenders a little, but I had to take
> >them off cause their hangers were shot anyway, so moving them was no big
> >deal. I know most will tell you that this should make it tougher to
> >launch/retrieve. I found that, I believe it actually makes it easier. The
> >added height raises the back end of the trailer a little and gets it
>closer
>
> >to level when you are on the ramp. This helps you get and more
>importantly
> >keep your boat further ahead on the trailer when you load as it doesn't
> >have as far to "rock back" when you pull it up the ramp.
> >
> >Can't help on the "trex" for bunk boards. I have never seen the stuff
>that
> >I know of.
> >
> >Rik
> >
> >
> >At 09:15 AM 11/11/2002 -0500, you wrote:
> >>Rik,
> >>
> >>Thanks, that is a lot of miles. I have some trucker questions: What do
> >>long distance drivers consider high milage, 200K a year, more??? I
> >>understand when one trucker passes another the guy being passed flashes
> >>his brights to signal to the passing truck he is clear. I notice the
> >>passing truck will go back into the right lane and his rear lights
>(brake
> >>lights perhaps?)will blink on and off, I guess to signal thanks. Do you
> >>guys have a seperate switch for this, tap the brakes?
> >
> >
> >>Just curious. Now back to towing ....
> >>
> >>My comfort level is ok towing but I try to stay on alert and stop often
>to
>
> >>check things out. I had always towed very small boats and in the case of
> >>my sunfish we hauled around on top of the car. It was a big day when I
> >>finally could back the Bantam into the garage with my wife's car inside.
> >>She wouldn't let me do this but I swear I can! I can see over the Bantam
> >>but when I back up with the R22 I always have a helper outside.
> >>
> >>I was leaning towards adding a second axle, but I have been trying to
>cost
>
> >>justify. I don't plan on towing but maybe once or twice a year and it
> >>would typically be long distance. I would like to make KY Lake at least
> >>once and I also want to get to the Northern Gulf coast. I plan on
>keeping
> >>my boat in the water pretty much year round. I would think the tandem
> >>would be a safer in a blow out but it costs more ....decisions,
>decisions.
> >>
> >>My current single axle trailer really did fine on the tow down from WI
>and
>
> >>locally here for launch. The frugal part of me says to just rebuild what
>I
>
> >>have and add a decent axle. I also saved recent posts regarding brake
> >>options for trailer. I am still on the fence here as well.
> >>
> >>Can the fake wood like Trex be used for bunks?
> >>
> >>Wally
> >>
> >>>From: Rik Sandberg <racerrik@rea-alp.com>
> >>>Reply-To: The Rhodes 22 mail list <rhodes22-list@rhodes22.org>
> >>>To: The Rhodes 22 mail list <rhodes22-list@rhodes22.org>
> >>>Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Bunk Boards
> >>>Date: Sun, 10 Nov 2002 22:46:21 -0600
> >>>
> >>>Wally,
> >>>
> >>>I would agree with Rummy on his points about the tandem vs single axle
> >>>maintenance. I would add that the wheels on a tandem trailer get a
>great
> >>>deal more twisting force applied to them when you turn and therefore
>are
> >>>more prone to breaking or cracking wheels. This is not common, but I
>have
>
> >>>replaced several wheels on tandem and tridem axle trailers over the
>years
>
> >>>for this reason.
> >>>
> >>>However, I would disagree with Rummy that the turning radius of a
>tandem
> >>>trailer is substantially different than that of a single axle trailer.
> >>>This is determined pretty strictly by the distance from the hitch
>coupler
>
> >>>to the center of the axle on a single, or the center between the axles
>on
>
> >>>a tandem and will not tend to vary a noticeable amount on two trailers
> >>>where this distance is equal. I can back a tandem trailer into a
> >>>jack-knifed position just as easily as a single axle given the same
> >>>length from axle(s) to coupler.
> >>>
> >>>Just as a cautionary note I will add this. If one is letting himself
>get
> >>>so comfortable with the turning radius of a given trailer or trailers,
> >>>that he feels he doesn't need to watch that trailer in the mirror
>anymore
>
> >>>as he turns. He IS, sooner or later, going to hit something with that
> >>>trailer. After 2,000,000 (yes that's million) miles of towing, I still
> >>>have to watch my trailers as I turn with them to be sure that my
> >>>judgement is correct in a situation that might be close. Good judgement
> >>>of distances is a wonderful talent to be blessed with, but as Ronald
> >>>Reagan once said about a completely different subject, trust, but
>verify.
>
> >>>Then there's always the old standby, pride cometh before a fall. Hey,
> >>>been there done that, eh?
> >>>
> >>>Rik
> >>>
> >>>At 12:30 PM 11/10/2002 -0500, you wrote:
> >>>>Wally,
> >>>>A second axle gives you an obvious safety factor, but it is also two
> >>>>more
> >>>>tires and bearing sets to take care of. Also, the turning radius which
> >>>>you
> >>>>have been accustomed to with the single axle trailer goes out the
> >>>>window.
> >>>>Learning to back up with two axles will take a little getting used to.
> >>>>The
> >>>>single axle trailer turns on a dime where the dual axle takes a larger
> >>>>radius
> >>>>turn.
> >>>>
> >>>>Rummy
> >>>>_________________________________________________
> >>>>Use Rhodes22-list@rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
> >>>
> >>>_________________________________________________
> >>>Use Rhodes22-list@rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
> >>
> >>
> >>_________________________________________________________________
> >>STOP MORE SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE*
> >>http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail
> >>
> >>_________________________________________________
> >>Use Rhodes22-list@rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
> >
> >_________________________________________________
> >Use Rhodes22-list@rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
>
>_________________________________________________________________
>Tired of spam? Get advanced junk mail protection with MSN 8.
>http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail
>
>_________________________________________________
>Use Rhodes22-list@rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
>
>
>------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Notice: This e-mail message, together with any attachments, contains
>information of Merck & Co., Inc. (Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, USA) that
>may be confidential, proprietary copyrighted and/or legally privileged, and
>is intended solely for the use of the individual or entity named on this
>message. If you are not the intended recipient, and have received this
>message in error, please immediately return this by e-mail and then delete
>it.
>
>==============================================================================
>
>_________________________________________________
>Use Rhodes22-list@rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
_________________________________________________________________
Tired of spam? Get advanced junk mail protection with MSN 8.
http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail