[Rhodes22-list] Bob Keller trailer solution!

[ed kroposki]

Bob, 
	Did you see the site that Jim recommends?  
Jim   
	This thing attaches to trailer?  How do the surge brakes work with
such a device?

Ed K

-----Original Message-----
From: rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org
[mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org] On Behalf Of
jbconnolly at comcast.net
Sent: Tuesday, November 30, 2004 9:56 AM
To: The Rhodes 22 mail list
Subject: RE: [Rhodes22-list] Beaufort trailer problems

Bob,

I tow about 2x per year for the last two years with a Blazer (wheelbase
about 107" 190 HP 4.3L V-6, 4WD) and have not had this problem.  My trailer
is a 2003 single-axle galvanized Triad.  

The ramp I generally use is very good (built for Navy/Coast Guard patrol
seaplanes), and this helps.  http://www.salemweb.com/winterisland/  
http://www.uscg.mil/d1/newengland/features/AS_Salem6Nov.htm

For highway-speed trailering, I invested in a load leveling/sway control
system, rather than a 2-axle trailer.  If it's just me in the tow vehicle, I
find that I don't really *need* it for leveling, but I bought it so I could
load up the truck and take the boat, wife, kids and a truckload of stuff on
vacation.  Filling the 4 seats and cargo area (to the top) at least comes
close to exceeding the GVWR for the truck, so it's a bit if peace of mind.
I have not noticed a problem with sway, even with the single axle and no
sway control.  

The problem is that it (and all the others I saw) mounts to the trailer
frame rather than the extension tongue, so does not level with the tongue
extended and wouldn't help on the ramp.

The one I bought was 
http://www.equalizerhitch.com/home.html 
The ball height is adjustable.

The only time I scraped the tongue, it was on the way *into* the water on a
gravel ramp.  I found a better ramp.

A quick google suggested that air bag system or load leveling air shocks are
widely available.  Some systems are automatic.  I can't say too much about
them, the last time I used them was about 20 years ago on a '65 GTO.  I
wasn't trailering.

Good luck

Jim Connolly
s/v Inisheer
'85 recycled '03