[Rhodes22-list] Single or double axle trailer

[Julie Thorndycraft]

Phil,
Bill's message covers the major considerations. We opted for a new 
galvanized single axle trailer in 2003 when we bought our recycled Rhodes 
from Stan. We have also assisted friends with a double-axle and there is 
considerable difference in maneuverability between the two. How are your 
skills backing up a trailer? My husband has backed up both styles and is the 
one that commented on ease of use with the single axle - and he grew up on a 
ranch backing up farm equipment all the time so he doesn't usually have any 
problem. On the flip side, weight positioning on the single axle is more 
critical. We know that we have to get the boat far enough forward on the 
trailer or we will start to sway over 50mph. When we get it right, we don't 
even know the boat is back there and we can scream along at 70mph. Bill is 
also right that your tow vehicle plays a role. The dual axle weighs quite a 
bit more than the single. We use a Navigator as our tow vehicle, if you have 
something of that size you won't have a problem with either.

As for long distance trailering - one piece of advice: tie everything down 
securely. If anything can flap or slide around it may cause damage to your 
boat. We even tie a line across the head door as it has been known to come 
open on long trips and gets marked up pretty bad.

Julie
s/v Blue Loon
1996 Rhodes 22, recycled in 2003


----- Original Message ----- 
From: <pawyrick at peoplepc.com>
To: <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Sent: Thursday, January 05, 2006 10:38 PM
Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Single or double axle trailer



I will be the proud owner, sometime in the not too distant future, of a 
recycled 1998. I will be using a trailer anytime I use the boat. I will also 
take the boat across country sometime within the next three years. The boat 
will stay on the trailer when not being sailed. The boat will be launched 
primarily in salt water. Do you have any opinions about a single or double 
axle for my circumstances? Thanks for any thoughts.
Phil
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