[Rhodes22-list] Beaufort trailer problems

[Bob Keller]

Ed,
I agree with you on the tow vehicle, I wanted to mention what Rummy has told 
me.  What he really said is that the wheelbase on my 4Runner is not long 
enough (105") and that is the reason that the back of the vehicle is pushed 
down due to the tongue weight.  He might have a point there because when his 
vehicle towed my boat, his vehicle remained level.  Yes, I do have my hitch 
in the highest position possible (I turned it over so it is angled up, not 
down).  Stan mentioned that the newer trailers use stronger materials for 
the tongue and do not flex as much.  So, I could get the tongue replaced 
with stronger material.

As for practice, I have towed my boat probably 9-10 times in the last 3 
years.  I have come to the conclusion that the single axle trailers force me 
to overload the tongue weight (I have experimented endlessly with 
positioning the boat fore and aft on the trailer) to prevent fishtailing.  I 
think the best solution (and most expensive) is to get a dual axle trailer 
where I will not have to overload tongue weight, but will still be able to 
trailer long distances on the highway at 65 mph.  Or, I could just spend 
more $ on this old trailer and learn from my "experiences."  Still deciding.

Of course, if I had just stopped at the top of the ramp and put the trailer 
tongue back in at that point, there would not be any of these trailer 
strories to talk about!
Bob K




>From: "ed kroposki" <ekroposki at charter.net>
>Reply-To: The Rhodes 22 mail list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
>To: "'The Rhodes 22 mail list'" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
>Subject: RE: [Rhodes22-list] Beaufort trailer problems
>Date: Tue, 30 Nov 2004 08:24:43 -0500
>
>Bob,
>	If your vehicle towed the boat and backed the boat into the water
>then got it out again, I think your vehicle is adequate.  Unless you are
>looking for an excuse for a new vehicle, I cannot see this incident as the
>reason to get a new one.  If you do decide to sell, how much do you want 
>for
>it?  It sounds like exactly what I am looking for.  Does Rummy's truck have
>a V-10?
>	Rummy always uses the extension.  In the past, unless I had a
>shallow ramp, I did not use it.  I just put on a bathing suit and water
>sneakers and backed into the water.  It is just faster.  The brakes can get
>wet so you have to remember that.
>	How to solve your problem?  Stan and Elton have hitches on the front
>of all their vehicles.  They seem to have the hitch much higher.  Does your
>present hitch have a removable receiver?  Is your receiver the kind with a
>bend?  Is the bend on the bottom?  Get another receiver for launching and
>recovery with a bend and have the bend facing upward.  Mount the ball on 
>the
>top and you raise your angle of connection significantly.
>	If I could draw as good as Todd, I would have included pictures.  I
>still do not have a working drawing program so I cannot even attempt right
>now.
>	Consider those jacking or hiking shocks on the rear of your vehicle.
>You know the fun things that they use to rake the cars for dragging.  I
>believe that they used to have some that work raised using air.  Where is
>Rik on the subject?
>	All the rest you could have managed to do with any vehicle.  Maybe
>you just need more practice.  Volunteer to tow the Seaward for Elton to 
>take
>to Chicago next year.  It seems with all his expertise he managed some
>problems this past year.
>
>Ed K
>
>
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