[Rhodes22-list] The Great Trailer Debate

[Steve Alm]

Don,
First, as I mentioned, my original axel was about six inches forward of  
what seems right according to the measurements I got from Todd:

http://www.rhodes22.org/pipermail/rhodes22-list/attch/200407/26/ 
trailersketch2.jpg

I left the axel where it was and added the second behind it but as  
close to the first as possible.  I don't know the specs off hand and  
the boat's out in storage now.  But here's a pic before I painted the  
new fenders.

Slim

On 12/1/04 3:15 PM, "Clarke, Donald R (Don), NEO" <drclarke at att.com>  
wrote:

 >
 >
 > Slim,
 >
 > Where in reference to the first axle did you install the second?
 >
 > Don Clarke
 >
 >
 > -----Original Message-----
 > From:     rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org
 > [mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org]  On Behalf Of Steve Alm
 > Sent:    Wednesday, December 01, 2004 4:11 PM
 > To:    Rhodes
 > Subject:    [Rhodes22-list] The Great Trailer Debate
 >
 > Jerry,
 >
 > I just went from a single axel to a tandem this year.  In comparing  
the
 > measurements of my old single axel to the measurements provided by  
Todd, and
 > also in the many discussions here on the list over the last couple  
years on
 > this subject, I determined that either my single axel had to be moved  
back
 > about six inches or I had to add a second axel to the rear of the  
first.  I
 > opted for the latter.
 >
 > Before, with the single axel, I always had a hard time getting the  
boat far
 > enough ahead on the trailer when retrieving.  In order to get enough  
tongue
 > weight, I had to remove the outboard and lash it on the trailer  
tongue,
 > remove the rudder assembly and pack boat gear farther forward.   
Without all
 > that rigmarole, the boat would fishtail and sway dangerously at a  
mere 45
 > mph.
 >
 > Now, with the tandem, I just load the boat onto the trailer the way  
"it
 > wants to" and off I go.  No redistribution of the weight, e.g., motor,
 > rudder, etc. and no more fishtailing!  Although I haven't taken any  
long
 > trips since I had the trailer surgery, but I can easily tell the  
difference
 > in the tracking at that same 45 or 50 mph.  I'm very pleased.
 >
 > I live in Minnesota where the law requires breaks on trailers  
exceeding 3000
 > lbs.  (The R22 and trailer weigh approx. 4300 + or - depending on  
onboard
 > gear.) The law varies from state to state, but I recommend breaks for  
anyone
 > pulling a Rhodes22.  I had electric breaks installed on my trailer.  I
 > already had the hook up on my vehicle so it was a no-brainer.  Not  
that the
 > install is that big of a deal, but I prefer this to hydraulic (serge)
 > breaks.  Serge breaks will not help you backing down or up a steep  
ramp.
 > Many, however, have serge breaks that they are satisfied with.
 >
 > The advantages of the tandem should be obvious:  better load  
distribution
 > and far better tracking on the road.  Also, if you have a blowout,  
you still
 > have three tires left.  The only advantage to having a single axel  
trailer
 > over a double is that it's easier to move the empty trailer around by  
hand,
 > whereas the double doesn't pivot as easily.  I suppose I could also  
say that
 > the single axel is less expensive.
 >
 > Hope this helps,
 >
 > Slim
 >
 > On 11/30/04 7:37 PM, "cjlowe" <cjlowe at bright.net> wrote:
 >
 >> As I am also in the trailer market this year,I wondered if anyone  
has owned
 >> both a single and a double axel trailer for their Rhodes? I plan on  
towing
 >> over 1000 miles a year. My present trailer is a 86' single axel,and  
it is
 >> pretty well beat.Do the dual axle's load any easier? Do they track  
better?
 >> Take bumps better? A list of pros and cons of both trailers would be
 >> great.And
 >> while we're at it,what's the hot set-up for brakes?
 >> I'll be using a '03 Toyota Forerunner , V-8, for towing.
 >>
 >> Thanks,
 >>
 >> Jerry Lowe
 >>
 >> Country Rhodes
 >> __________________________________________________
 >> Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
 >
 > __________________________________________________
 > Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
 >
 > __________________________________________________
 > Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list



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