[Rhodes22-list] Bunk Boards & Axles

[Wally Buck]

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


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