[Rhodes22-list] Trailer by Slim

[Kroposki]

Slim,
	I have an '84 Rhodes22 with its original '84 Triad Trailer.  I
do not experience the problems you are having.  I have moved the boat
with the old motor on and off.  I prefer to take the motor off and
attach it to the arm on the Triad for the forward stopper.  That works
fine.  The only problems I have had is on the interstates where the
pavement is ruff, especially a approaches to bridges.  Too much
bouncing, so the next time I move it I will use cross boat tie downs to
keep it seated.  My speed depends on road quality and smoothness.  I
usually use 50 to 60 mph, but have moved on a smooth stretch of
interstate at over 70 mph to keep up with traffic.
	I have never recognized a fishtail problem, only bouncing on
ruff roads.  I have not taken the rudder off, but for long distances, it
sounds like a good idea.
            Ed K


-----Original Message-----
From: rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org
[mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org] On Behalf Of Steve Alm
Sent: Saturday, August 09, 2003 3:58 AM
To: Rhodes
Subject: [Rhodes22-list] I Hate My Trailer

Hi.  Mary Ann and I just got back from a four day trip with Fandango.
We
went up north to Leech Lake in north central MN.  The sailing and living
aboard were great (I'd love to tell you more about it sometime) but
after
putting the boat in and out several times in several locations with
varying
degrees of steepness at the ramps, I've concluded that something is
definitely wrong here.

No matter what, I just can't get the boat far enough forward on the
trailer.
The result is not enough tongue weight.  I had to take the motor off and
lash it on the trailer tongue, put the rudder up in the V berth, along
with
anything else that has any weight to it.  I used my bathroom scale to
try to
find out how heavy the tongue really is:  the scale only goes up to 300
lbs.
and I pegged the thing before the tongue even budged off the hitch--so
I'll
bet I have at least 400 lbs, maybe more.  Still, the trailer fishtailed
at
anything over 55 mph and also lurched and tugged most of the way.  I use
a
3/4 ton full-size cargo van with a V-8--more than enough.

At one of the ramps that had a very gradual slope, I backed in so far
that
my tailpipe was almost under.  Using the tongue extension, the forward
ends
of the bunks were just at water level and I drove the boat hard at the
trailer, trying to get up on the damn things, but still no luck.

And at the steep ramps it's even worse.  As we've discussed before, you
pull
the boat all the way up to the bow stop, but when you pull the trailer
out
of the water, the bow rocks back away from the bow stop, and leaves the
boat
too far back--actually NEGATIVE TONGUE WEIGHT!

I really don't want to move the motor, rudder, etc. not to mention all
the
landing gymnastics every time I trailer.  Is it just me or is it a
design
flaw.  The trailer axle should be about 6-8 inches back or something.
Can
anyone offer some insight, please?  Pretty please?

Slim

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