REALLY Scary Trailer

[Utahboatnut]

Re: REALLY Scary Trailer

One thought, how difficult is it to obtain an overwidth permit. I'm sure a lot has changed but when I was a kid my dad had a big wood Chris Craft that was over 8' at the beam and he got the permit and a banner to hang on the back. I don't recall it ever being a big issue, might be something to look into.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: REALLY Scary Trailer

The above idea of using three axles and smaller wheels is your best bet, that along with maybe building a custom axle carriage that supports wider axles and attaches to the existing frame, this will lower the boat, as well as widen the trailer's stance and lower the center of gravity.
I'd also redesign that bow stop to a double roller stop.
Using torsion axles will allow you to even farther lower the trailer.

 

[lmannyr]

Re: REALLY Scary Trailer

The above idea of using three axles and smaller wheels is your best bet, that along with maybe building a custom axle carriage that supports wider axles and attaches to the existing frame, this will lower the boat, as well as widen the trailer's stance and lower the center of gravity.
I'd also redesign that bow stop to a double roller stop.
Using torsion axles will allow you to even farther lower the trailer.

YUP. Would do torsion axles with a standard trailer (wider) and but with your current bunks with wider planks.

 

[Titanium48]

Re: REALLY Scary Trailer

Torsion axles aren't recommended for triple axle trailers though. With sprung axles, when one wheel is forced up over a bump it actually increases the downforce on the other wheel(s), spreading the load. With torsion axles you have fully independent suspension and the wheel going over the bump can momentarily be bearing the entire weight of that side of the trailer. Makes for a great ride but it's hard on the axles.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: REALLY Scary Trailer

Torsion axles aren't recommended for triple axle trailers though. With sprung axles, when one wheel is forced up over a bump it actually increases the downforce on the other wheel(s), spreading the load. With torsion axles you have fully independent suspension and the wheel going over the bump can momentarily be bearing the entire weight of that side of the trailer. Makes for a great ride but it's hard on the axles.

We've run triple and quad axles on enclosed car trailers all the time. They ride so smooth you can leave a cup of coffee on the bench and it won't move even after a long ride, (Been there, done that Bowling Green Ohio to NJ with a half cup of coffee left sitting on a wheel well inside, it never moved).

If the one axle is being overloaded on a bump, chances are you need a third axle. One of the biggest advantages with torsion axles is that they run totally independent of each other.

The one big drawback is that they are hard to rust proof in saltwater uses. But I suppose they would last as long as a standard axle and springs in the same environment and they don't tend to fail all at once as a broken spring or main axle tube.

They also save weight since they lack all the weight of leaf springs and their hardware.

They can also increase center ground clearance, since the axle is mounted directly to the bottom of the frame and not slung low beneath the trailer.

 

[Titanium48]

Re: REALLY Scary Trailer

Just repeating the official line:

TORFLEX - Can I use 3 Torflex axles under my trailer?

No, Dexter does not recommend triple Torflex applications because Torflex axles are totally independent and not equalized like a typical leaf spring set of axles. There is no ability to transfer loads from one axle to another. When traversing uneven operating surfaces such as driveway entries, railroad crossings or speed bumps, the entire load can be put onto one axle causing severe overload. It isn't reasonable to expect one axle to carry the entire load of three axles when these conditions occur, even though these instances cause only momentary over-loading.

 

[Chris Hays]

Re: REALLY Scary Trailer

I would be trying to lower the center of gravity and widen the tire area on the ground, how about dual wheels from a pickup??? They are usually 15" with low profile tires, which would drop the overall height down a bit, then you may have to use spacers for the clearence etc but i bet it would work, and make it a HECK of a lot more stable!! (And probably take the least amount of work.)