[Rhodes22-list] Bunk Boards & Axles

Mon, 11 Nov 2002 09:10:13 -0600

Wally,

I would hope there aren't very many drivers out there that are making 
200.000 miles a year. This would be tough. I wouldn't be real surprised to 
see 150,000 to 170,000 though.

Some tractors actually do have a separate light switch for the trailer's 
clearance/marker lights for use when passing. Almost all trucker are made 
so that the marker lights and the head lights are on separate circuits and 
can be operated independently. If you see the brake lights flash, that 
driver probably just pushed/pulled the 4-way flasher button for a couple 
seconds. That does mean "thanks, appreciate the help".

You need to go down to the mall parking lot some evening and practice 
backing between the lines in the parking lot. Backing is really pretty 
simple, once you understand the concepts. You will also be far better off 
if you learn to back using your mirrors only and not twisting around to 
look over your shoulder or hanging out the window. 'Course, you need decent 
mirrors for this. Remember this, if you believe it will be difficult, it 
will be.

On my trailer, I changed up to a six thousand lb. Dexter axle with easy 
lube spindles, six bolt hubs and electric brakes. If you check out Elton's 
trailer at a show, you will see that the new single axle triads are done 
like this now. I don't know if I would try the electric brakes for 
saltwater dunking, but I have had excellent luck so far in fresh only. I 
also went to 16 inch (obviously six hole, also) heavy duty wheels and tires 
and I added a pair of 5 leaf 5900 lb springs. All of these things bolted 
right on to the existing spring hangers, frame, etc., it was a very simple 
change over. I did have to move the fenders a little, but I had to take 
them off cause their hangers were shot anyway, so moving them was no big 
deal. I know most will tell you that this should make it tougher to 
launch/retrieve. I found that, I believe it actually makes it easier. The 
added height raises the back end of the trailer a little and gets it closer 
to level when you are on the ramp. This helps you get and more importantly 
keep your boat further ahead on the trailer when you load as it doesn't 
have as far to "rock back" when you pull it up the ramp.

Can't help on the "trex" for bunk boards. I have never seen the stuff that 
I know of.

Rik

At 09:15 AM 11/11/2002 -0500, you wrote:
>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
>>
>>_________________________________________________
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>
>
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