[Rhodes22-list] Triad Trailer brakes and adjustments

Fri Jun 17 09:08:39 EDT 2016

This is a timely discussion. 
I just bought a trailer from Mike Weisner (WindLass - Nissequogue, NY ). 
I don’t need a new project, but for $400 and after a long trip, it was hard to refuse.
I never had a trailer, always had it hauled to and from my driveway for $160 ea way. 
Now I have a project and an empty rusty trailer to store and look at all summer.  
Its far from ready, so I’ll use my hauler to launch and hopefully Haul it in the fall on a refurbished trailer. 
If anyone can include some photos of what a single axle trailer is supposed to look like, I would greatly appreciate it. 
Ric 
s/v Dadventure 
Hampton bays

> On Jun 16, 2016, at 9:05 PM, Graham Stewart <gstewart8 at cogeco.ca> wrote:
> 
> Talbot:
> My trailer doesn't have brakes and I am on fresh water so I can't advise you
> there but it would seem odd to me that no trailer used in salt water has
> brakes that can be maintained. I would look into what maintenance is needed.
> On the other hand, if you don't do much towing brakes may be unnecessary
> depending on the tow vehicle that you use.
> 
> It is possible that the tongue jack needs to be greased if it seems
> unreasonably difficult to use.
> 
> The weight on the tongue should be about 10 to 15% of the total weight of
> the trailer and boat. Depending on what you have on board that could easily
> add up to well over 3000 pounds so the tongue weight could be pretty
> substantial. There are ways to weigh the tongue using bathroom scales. If
> your scales do not go that high you can use a lever arrangement to calculate
> the weight (see
> https://www.etrailer.com/faq-how-to-determine-trailer-tongue-weight.aspx )
> Weigh the tongue when the boat is on it and if it is within range, about 300
> to 400 pounds, leave it alone. If it is off significantly you can adjust the
> placement of the boat or also redistribute the weight in the boat. Very
> small adjustments can make a big difference to the tongue weight.
> 
> Don't put the boat back further on the trailer to lighten the tongue weight
> below 10% of the total weight. In that situation you can generate very
> severe and dangerous sway. Watch carefully how the trailer tows especially
> as you gain speed. If you see any sign of sway slow down until you can move
> the boat forward. Sway can kill you. 
> 
> Personally, I have found that the problem is to get the boat far enough
> forward.
> 
> The indentations on the hull by the forward struts of the bunks is
> apparently "normal" in older boats. On my boat (76) the indentations appear
> to be permanent. I jacked the bow up for two years and the indentations
> remained. When I stripped the hull of antifouling paint I found a lattice
> work of hairline cracks in the gel coat. Still, the boat is now 40 years old
> so I probably should not worry about it. 
> 
> Newer boats have thicker hulls and so the problem has apparently been
> lessened. I don't know when this change occurred but Stan can tell you.
> Whether the indentations remain once the boat is in the water and whether it
> really makes a difference anyway is a matter that has been debated on this
> forum without resolution. Personally, I have considered reinforcing that
> section of the hull after I launch the boat. Hopefully the indents will
> disappear first but I doubt it. 
> 
> The boat rests on the bunks alone. There is no support needed or desirable
> under the keel. You don't want to damage the centerboard housing/keel. I did
> and it is a very difficult fix to perform.
> 
> I would not advise making changes to the trailer other than fixing the
> brakes. These trailers have been used with the Rhodes 22 for many decades
> and have stood the test of time. 
> 
> Good luck
> 
> Graham Stewart
> Agile. R22, 1976
> Kingston Ontario Canada
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Rhodes22-list [mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org] On Behalf Of
> talbotpratt
> Sent: June 16, 2016 7:29 PM
> To: rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org
> Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Triad Trailer brakes and adjustments
> 
> My new/used 89 Rhodes22 came with a 5 year old Triad custom trailer.  
> 
> First, the simple question:  Brakes are rusted and unusable without service,
> and I was told it is not worth trying to keep them working since the boat is
> launched in salt water.  What do you think? 
> 
> Second:   The trailer is the custom built Triad Rhodes 22 model. ei. no
> adjustments other than extending the v shaped bow cushion arm that the stem
> is snug into.  When the boat was last loaded it appears to have been pulled
> up toop far on the trailer.  First, the tongue weight appeared really heavy
> based on the effort needed to crank up the swivel wheel and the load when
> hitched to a large tow vehicle.  Second, the forward end of the long bunks
> was denting the hull on both sides. I put a temporary cross piece in about 6
> feet aft of the bow and jacked up several inches to take the load there in
> order to pop the dents back out.   I have since launched the boat for the
> season but need to figure out how to set up the trailer better before
> reloading this fall. 
> If I extend to v shaped cushion arm out all the way I can move the boat
> about 6-8" farther back on the trailer. That will help some, as the hull
> will be a little thinner and less weight will be forward of the bunks.  But
> I don't think that will be enough.   Plus, when I look at the trailer, I'm
> surprised that ALL the weight is on those two long bunks.  There is nothing
> under the keel, nor under the bow section.  I don't understand why it was
> done like that.  Anybody with a Triad trailer that can help me?
> 
> Talbot
> Rhodes22 89/08  "Remains Nameless"
> 
> 
> 
> --
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> tp52121.html
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Richard F. Stott, AIA, LEED AP 
ric at stottarchitecture.com