BajaNomad
Not logged in [Login - Register]

Go To Bottom
Printable Version  
 Pages:  1  
Author: Subject: Question for Trailer/towing pros
Santiago
Ultra Nomad
*****




Posts: 3507
Registered: 8-27-2003
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 9-21-2007 at 03:32 PM
Question for Trailer/towing pros


Ok hear me out on this:
Boat + motor + gear about 1850 pounds.
Single axle EZloader with P185X13 tires.

After many miles of watching my outside tire on or even outside of the white line and knowing the likely result of dropping the outside tire off the pavement I have come up with the following:

Weld a spindle to the inside of the frame, just behind the axle and mount a tire that would free wheel but act as a saftey wheel incase the outside tire does go off. The whole point would be to let this tire keep the trailer 'on the road' and allow me to slow down until I could get the outside tire back on the pavement. I got up enough courage to take this idea to my local trailer shop and they didn't throw me out - in fact we ended up with all the employees gathered round with everybody talking, drawing and arguing until we finally solved everyone's objections. Cost about $500.

Is this doable or do I need to find another trailer shop?
View user's profile
Hook
Elite Nomad
******




Posts: 9009
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
Member Is Offline

Mood: Inquisitive

[*] posted on 9-21-2007 at 04:14 PM


I have had the scenario that you describe happen to me and its not the out of control scene that you might think. Yeah, the tire was destroyed and the rim was pretty bent but I was able to ease off the highway and change it. Replaced the tire and had the rim bent back at the next town.

I dont think I would spend 500 on it. Even with the secondary wheel, that first tire is gonna be toast if the pavement edge in severe.

Are they bracing the spindle at all or just welding it to the top of the frame or what?




View user's profile
Diver
Ultra Nomad
*****




Posts: 4729
Registered: 11-15-2004
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 9-21-2007 at 04:27 PM


I would definitely consider changing over to at least 14" if not 15' tires.
The little ones will hit the potholes much harder. If you're looking for a safely device, consider welding on a skid plate of sorts that guards your shock mount etc.

If you do want to mount a 'wheel' I would use a small hard wheel on a short spindle mounted within an angled skid plate or bar similar to those on the back of camp trailers.

.

.
View user's profile
jerry
Super Nomad
****




Posts: 1354
Registered: 10-10-2003
Location: loreto
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 9-21-2007 at 05:46 PM


put 6-8-10ply tires on it they wont shread trailer tires are the worst tires i have ever run
your extra tires or a skid plate might help
i just drive in the center of my lane and dont worry about it i driven 102 wide moterhomes 36 ft long no problem just gotta stay in the middell and dont freak




jerry and judi
View user's profile
Roberto
Banned





Posts: 2162
Registered: 9-5-2003
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 9-21-2007 at 06:56 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by Diver
If you're looking for a safely device, consider welding on a skid plate of sorts that guards your shock mount etc.


You have shocks on your boat trailer?
View user's profile
Diver
Ultra Nomad
*****




Posts: 4729
Registered: 11-15-2004
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 9-21-2007 at 06:59 PM


OK springs.
I did have shocks on the trailer for my 26 footer.

.
View user's profile
Roberto
Banned





Posts: 2162
Registered: 9-5-2003
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 9-21-2007 at 07:00 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by jerry
put 6-8-10ply tires on it they wont shread trailer tires are the worst tires i have ever run


Bad idea! Trailer (ST) bias ply are made that way for a reason - the stiffer sidewall minimizes sway.
View user's profile
Roberto
Banned





Posts: 2162
Registered: 9-5-2003
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 9-21-2007 at 07:01 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by Hook
Are they bracing the spindle at all or just welding it to the top of the frame or what?


This is a critical question. If the answer is no, you may have a catastrophic failure.

I would not spend the money. Just don't drive off the road. :lol::lol::lol::lol:
View user's profile
Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
******


Avatar


Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
Member Is Offline

Mood: Full Time Residents

[*] posted on 9-21-2007 at 07:27 PM


just get new tires even if 13 inch

you are ok with the weight you are pulling

drive slow
stay in the middle unless a car is comming
slow way down if you have trouble with trucks

sometimes i almost stop if trucks seens too close

if you drive slow you won't fall off the road with an 1850 pound boat and trailer

just have fun and relax

the road is not as bad as ten years ago
there's very few pot holes now on mex1




our website is:
http://www.mulege.org
View user's profile Visit user's homepage
jerry
Super Nomad
****




Posts: 1354
Registered: 10-10-2003
Location: loreto
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 9-21-2007 at 07:41 PM


ROBERTO they use radial tires on trailers all the time up to 12 ply
the biasply tires are old fasion heat up and blow out
the radials give a smooth ride and dont heat up
by increasing the size of the wheel you will also reduce the speed of the bearings thous KEEPING COOLER and lasting longer




jerry and judi
View user's profile
Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
******


Avatar


Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
Member Is Offline

Mood: Full Time Residents

[*] posted on 9-21-2007 at 07:45 PM


jerry you're right but it's an 1850 pound (fully loaded) Single axle EZloader...

no sweat if the tires are good
no changes required




our website is:
http://www.mulege.org
View user's profile Visit user's homepage
comitan
Ultra Nomad
*****


Avatar


Posts: 4177
Registered: 3-27-2004
Location: La Paz
Member Is Offline

Mood: mellow

[*] posted on 9-21-2007 at 07:48 PM


Larger tires with raise the center of gravity=more load on the sidewall, raise the trailer requiring deeper water at the launching ramp.



Strive For The Ideal, But Deal With What\'s Real.

Every day is a new day, better than the day before.(from some song)

Lord, Keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth.

“The sincere pursuit of truth requires you to entertain the possibility that everything you believe to be true may in fact be false”
View user's profile
jerry
Super Nomad
****




Posts: 1354
Registered: 10-10-2003
Location: loreto
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 9-21-2007 at 07:49 PM


i agree but if hes gona buy tires might as well get heavy ply so they dont shread



jerry and judi
View user's profile
Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
******


Avatar


Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
Member Is Offline

Mood: Full Time Residents

[*] posted on 9-21-2007 at 07:50 PM


the WHOLE thing weighs 1850 pounds LOADED

regular radials will do the trick
the roads a good




our website is:
http://www.mulege.org
View user's profile Visit user's homepage
toneart
Ultra Nomad
*****




Posts: 4901
Registered: 7-23-2006
Member Is Offline

Mood: Skeptical

[*] posted on 9-21-2007 at 08:25 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by Hook
I have had the scenario that you describe happen to me and its not the out of control scene that you might think. Yeah, the tire was destroyed and the rim was pretty bent but I was able to ease off the highway and change it. Replaced the tire and had the rim bent back at the next town.

I dont think I would spend 500 on it. Even with the secondary wheel, that first tire is gonna be toast if the pavement edge in severe.

Are they bracing the spindle at all or just welding it to the top of the frame or what?


Hook,
I think you were lucky to have been on a stretch of road where you could "ease it off the highway". Unfortunately, the rusted shell of vehicles and many crosses and monuments are a testament to those who weren't so lucky. I do agree that if you can make a plan before an emergency arises, to ease it off the road, you have a better chance.....if it is possible. Most people panic and overcorrect, thus overturning.

Santiago,
I think the concept is great. I am in no way an expert on how that would be engineered. Get a consensus from mechanics.
If you do decide to go with the inside wheel, test it out for us and report. :o If you survive, patent it and make a fortune. You could go around looking like this guy >>>>>>>>>:biggrin:




View user's profile
Roberto
Banned





Posts: 2162
Registered: 9-5-2003
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 9-21-2007 at 08:52 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by jerry
ROBERTO they use radial tires on trailers all the time up to 12 ply
the biasply tires are old fasion heat up and blow out
the radials give a smooth ride and dont heat up
by increasing the size of the wheel you will also reduce the speed of the bearings thous KEEPING COOLER and lasting longer


BS. My trailer + boat weigh close to 13,000 lbs. Triple axle. I run trailer (ST-bias ply) tires. I've towed up and down the peninsula, and on the mainland for thousands of miles.

That sais, it's true that the stiff sidewall only helps on heavier weights, and is probably not a factor in this case - I hadn't noticed the weight in the original post.

[Edited on 9-22-2007 by Roberto]
View user's profile
jerry
Super Nomad
****




Posts: 1354
Registered: 10-10-2003
Location: loreto
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 9-21-2007 at 09:07 PM


Roberto my brothers boat weighs 16000 lb 31 ft with 10 and a half foot beam and we to have towed it all over Canada Washington Oregon California Arziona main land Mexico and Baja for 10s of thousands of miles 3 axel trailer and the only time we blew tires were new bias
plus many other trailers and fifthwheels with no radial tire problems

if you have swaying problems you need more tounge wieght




jerry and judi
View user's profile
Roberto
Banned





Posts: 2162
Registered: 9-5-2003
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 9-21-2007 at 09:16 PM


Jerry - I guess your (brother's) ding-a-ling is bigger than mine. :lol::lol::lol::lol:

The point is that you are wrong. ST tires are designed for a specific purpose, and do NOT shred "just because". Radial tires can work, but they are not needed on trailers (the additional flex gives more traction, but that is not necessary on non-drive wheels), and DO increase sway. There are ways around that, of course. Stating that "you should use ST tires because they will shred" is absurd. I, and many others, are proof of that. Now, can we get back to the original programming?
View user's profile
Roberto
Banned





Posts: 2162
Registered: 9-5-2003
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 9-21-2007 at 09:18 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by soulpatch
Santiago, how wide is your trailer?....@ 1850 lbs total weight I can't imagine it is any wider than your tow vehicle, although I am wrong often. I wouldn't even worry about it. The whole road to your place is not even that narrow anymore and it seems like shoulders are getting added all the time.


You may be wrong often, but you get to the core of the question. Of course, you are right. I came to this thread peeed off about a really stupid comment on another thread.

All this falls apart if he is towing this this with a compact car (or an Isuzu Amigo) :P.


[Edited on 9-22-2007 by Roberto]
View user's profile
Paulina
Ultra Nomad
*****




Posts: 3810
Registered: 8-31-2002
Location: BCN
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 9-21-2007 at 09:29 PM


Santiago,

Simple solution. Just let your wife drive.

P<*)))><




\"Well behaved women rarely make history.\" Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
View user's profile
 Pages:  1  

  Go To Top

 






All Content Copyright 1997- Q87 International; All Rights Reserved.
Powered by XMB; XMB Forum Software © 2001-2014 The XMB Group






"If it were lush and rich, one could understand the pull, but it is fierce and hostile and sullen. The stone mountains pile up to the sky and there is little fresh water. But we know we must go back if we live, and we don't know why." - Steinbeck, Log from the Sea of Cortez

 

"People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care." - Theodore Roosevelt

 

"You can easily judge the character of others by how they treat those who they think can do nothing for them or to them." - Malcolm Forbes

 

"Let others lead small lives, but not you. Let others argue over small things, but not you. Let others cry over small hurts, but not you. Let others leave their future in someone else's hands, but not you." - Jim Rohn

 

"The best way to get the right answer on the internet is not to ask a question; it's to post the wrong answer." - Cunningham's Law







Thank you to Baja Bound Mexico Insurance Services for your long-term support of the BajaNomad.com Forums site.







Emergency Baja Contacts Include:

Desert Hawks; El Rosario-based ambulance transport; Emergency #: (616) 103-0262