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Re: Trailer Crash [Re: flumpmaster] #189867
09/01/09 11:27 AM
09/01/09 11:27 AM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,049
Sebring, Florida.
Timbo Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Timbo  Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,049
Sebring, Florida.
I usually haul a 3 horse goose neck type trailer, never had any sway problems because of the goose neck hitch, it's located in the truck bed just in front of the rear axel. I can take both hands off the wheel at 65mph and it tracks straight.

BUT, I once had to haul a 24' box trailer with a bumper hitch. WOW, what a difference. Way Sway! It was not all that heavily loaded, just one aiplane inside, I would guess about 1,000 lbs. of cargo plus the wt. of the trailer, but when I got up to near 65, it would start to sway, slowly at first, then a much larger divergance, so I gently slowed it way down to about 50. Much above that and the sway would start again, there was a cross wind blowing though.

This was behind my wife's Suburban with no sway bars. I was real glad I bought the goose neck for hauling the horses, but I've never seen one used for our boats. I nearly piled up the truck and trailer when on the way home from dropping off some horses two weeks ago at Auburn, I was coming down I75 South, around Gainsville about 11pm following a semi truck about 100 yards ahead, in the rain, at 70 mph he locks up the breaks and starts to slide! I jumped on my breaks and could feel the antiskid cycling, luckily the trailer was empty or I would have plowed into the back of him. But it stayed straight behind me.

There had been a 3 car pile up ahead, blocking the left two lanes. We tip-toed around to the right and got by the huge mess just before the police showed up and blocked the highway completely.

Chris, I'm sorry to hear about all the damage but glad everyone came out unhurt, have a great regatta. All the bad stuff is behind you now so the Wind Gods should be good to you!


Blade F16
#777
-- Have You Seen This? --
Re: Trailer Crash [Re: Timbo] #189875
09/01/09 11:53 AM
09/01/09 11:53 AM
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,582
“an island in the Pacifi...
hobie1616 Offline
Carpal Tunnel
hobie1616  Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,582
“an island in the Pacifi...
Does weight distribution on/inside the trailer have anything to do with sway?


US Sail Level 2 Instructor
US Sail Level 3 Coach
Re: Trailer Crash [Re: hobie1616] #189878
09/01/09 12:01 PM
09/01/09 12:01 PM
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,200
Vancouver, BC
Tornado Offline
veteran
Tornado  Offline
veteran

Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,200
Vancouver, BC
Originally Posted by hobie1616
Does weight distribution on/inside the trailer have anything to do with sway?


Yes, you should aim for 15-20% of total trailer weight on the tongue. Any less and sway become more likely.


Mike Dobbs
Tornado CAN 99 "Full Tilt"
Re: Trailer Crash [Re: ] #189887
09/01/09 12:52 PM
09/01/09 12:52 PM
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 606
League City, TX
flumpmaster Offline
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flumpmaster  Offline
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 606
League City, TX
Originally Posted by andrewscott
very neat.
their website does not show prices???
may i ask what the entire unit cost you?


About $550 for the unit and 8 sensors.


Dave Ingram is my president. tcdyc rules
Re: Trailer Crash [Re: flumpmaster] #189895
09/01/09 01:10 PM
09/01/09 01:10 PM

A
andrewscott
Unregistered
andrewscott
Unregistered
A



gotcha, thanks for the data.

Re: Trailer Crash [Re: flumpmaster] #189896
09/01/09 01:11 PM
09/01/09 01:11 PM
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,969
B
brucat Offline
Carpal Tunnel
brucat  Offline
Carpal Tunnel
B

Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,969
Good grief!

Firstly, thank God Jim and Nora are OK.

Next, if you need a trailer, let me know and you can use mine. Would be good for one boat, not built for stacking. Send me a PM with a cell number.

As for the question of sway bar availability, any good RV dealer will have them in stock, they are commonly used for travel trailers.

Mike

Re: Trailer Crash [Re: Tornado] #189905
09/01/09 01:38 PM
09/01/09 01:38 PM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,118
Northfield Mn
Karl_Brogger Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Karl_Brogger  Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,118
Northfield Mn
Originally Posted by Tornado
Originally Posted by hobie1616
Does weight distribution on/inside the trailer have anything to do with sway?


Yes, you should aim for 15-20% of total trailer weight on the tongue. Any less and sway become more likely.


With more weight, the more on the tow vehicle the better. Within reason I guess, you don't want to put more on the tow vehicle than it can handle.

Re: Trailer Crash [Re: Karl_Brogger] #189918
09/01/09 03:53 PM
09/01/09 03:53 PM
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 5,590
Naples, FL
waterbug_wpb Offline
Carpal Tunnel
waterbug_wpb  Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 5,590
Naples, FL
My memory is failing, I think my trailer dealer said anything above a certain load capacity and/or size has to have brakes on all wheels in FL.

Also, the capacity stated on a trailer and or hitch is based on properly loaded and equipped trailer (sway/load distribution bars).

Wonder if trailer brakes could have helped in this instance. Maybe not...


Jay

Re: Trailer Crash [Re: waterbug_wpb] #189947
09/01/09 07:05 PM
09/01/09 07:05 PM
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 157
Framingham, MA
acceleratedchaos Offline OP
member
acceleratedchaos  Offline OP
member

Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 157
Framingham, MA
Originally Posted by waterbug_wpb


Wonder if trailer brakes could have helped in this instance. Maybe not...


There were working and recently inspected brakes on both of the trailer axles.

Re: Trailer Crash [Re: acceleratedchaos] #190002
09/02/09 11:15 AM
09/02/09 11:15 AM
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 5,590
Naples, FL
waterbug_wpb Offline
Carpal Tunnel
waterbug_wpb  Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 5,590
Naples, FL
wow, I had no idea a blowout would result in something so dramatic. Forgot to ask how many axles (sounded like more than one)?

freakish...

How much do the masts cost?


Jay

Re: Trailer Crash [Re: waterbug_wpb] #190011
09/02/09 12:35 PM
09/02/09 12:35 PM
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,658
Florida Suncoast, Dunedin Caus...
catman Offline
Pooh-Bah
catman  Offline
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,658
Florida Suncoast, Dunedin Caus...
Pretty sure if a trailer in Fla. weights over 2000lb empty it requires brakes on one set of wheels. Tounge weights one thing but how it's distributed is the most important. I can't remember the exact ratio but it's something like 70 percent of the weight needs to be in the front of the trailer wheels. Also If your towing a high profile trailer more than 14' you should have a friction type sway control added to the hitch. You can find them at Reese.


Have Fun
Re: Trailer Crash [Re: acceleratedchaos] #190015
09/02/09 12:48 PM
09/02/09 12:48 PM
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 606
League City, TX
flumpmaster Offline
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flumpmaster  Offline
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Posts: 606
League City, TX
Originally Posted by acceleratedchaos
Originally Posted by waterbug_wpb


Wonder if trailer brakes could have helped in this instance. Maybe not...


There were working and recently inspected brakes on both of the trailer axles.


Chris,

Do you think a dual rear wheel tow vehicle could have helped stabilize the oscillation enough to prevent the accident?


Dave Ingram is my president. tcdyc rules
Re: Trailer Crash [Re: flumpmaster] #190018
09/02/09 01:04 PM
09/02/09 01:04 PM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,118
Northfield Mn
Karl_Brogger Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Karl_Brogger  Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,118
Northfield Mn
Originally Posted by flumpmaster
Originally Posted by acceleratedchaos
Originally Posted by waterbug_wpb


Wonder if trailer brakes could have helped in this instance. Maybe not...


There were working and recently inspected brakes on both of the trailer axles.


Chris,

Do you think a dual rear wheel tow vehicle could have helped stabilize the oscillation enough to prevent the accident?


I know you didn't ask my opinion, but short of getting something that you need a CDL to drive its tough to beat a long box, crew cab dually for towing trailers. The longer wheelbase, the wider wheelbase, and having more rubber on the road are all things that help maintain and regain control.

24' is about the max I would go for a bumper mount trailer, any bigger than that and it just gets to be too much weight being carried poorly.

Re: Trailer Crash [Re: Karl_Brogger] #190025
09/02/09 02:18 PM
09/02/09 02:18 PM
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 157
Framingham, MA
acceleratedchaos Offline OP
member
acceleratedchaos  Offline OP
member

Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 157
Framingham, MA
Not sure about using a duel wheel tow vechicle, I tend to agree with the idea of more rubber on the road, and better management of the tongue weight can only be good things.
One consideration I am thinking about is that these trailers typically carry most of their weight low in the trailer (a car strapped to the floor). By building racks and having a second row of boats higher up, not sure if we were exceding the designed weight distribution with the momentum of the sway???? There were lots of benefits of having an enclosed trailer that could carry 5 boats, but recent events have me questioning the benefits vs risk and challenges of transporting boats this way. This could just be the frustration of dealing with insurance companies/ not making it to NA's next week coming out though.

Re: Trailer Crash [Re: acceleratedchaos] #190032
09/02/09 02:43 PM
09/02/09 02:43 PM
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 756
Newport, RI
wildtsail Offline
old hand
wildtsail  Offline
old hand

Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 756
Newport, RI
At least Team New England and the Tybee are getting great exposure in a car graveyard in NY.
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Seriously though... I appreciate all the work Chris did making this trailer come together as it was a great way to get the boats to and stored in FL this past winter. Bummer we had to learn this lesson the hard way.

Re: Trailer Crash [Re: wildtsail] #190044
09/02/09 06:33 PM
09/02/09 06:33 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 602
Wilmington,NC
Dlennard Offline
addict
Dlennard  Offline
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 602
Wilmington,NC
I think the trailer was not loaded properly (not enough tongue weight) or the trailer ride height was not level. If the van was a E250 it should be more than enough. I have hauled all kinds of stuff(Bobcats,tractors, WF's HT trailer with four 18HT's and a supercat 22 on it) with my F350,F250 single rear tire with bumper hitch and never had a problem if you load the trailer right.

Sorry about your accident and hope you get it all sorted out.

Re: Trailer Crash [Re: Dlennard] #190049
09/02/09 08:38 PM
09/02/09 08:38 PM
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 921
Alachua, FL
Mugrace72 Offline
old hand
Mugrace72  Offline
old hand

Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 921
Alachua, FL
Originally Posted by Dlennard
I think the trailer was not loaded properly (not enough tongue weight) or the trailer ride height was not level. If the van was a E250 it should be more than enough. I have hauled all kinds of stuff(Bobcats,tractors, WF's HT trailer with four 18HT's and a supercat 22 on it) with my F350,F250 single rear tire with bumper hitch and never had a problem if you load the trailer right.

Sorry about your accident and hope you get it all sorted out.


That was a tough break Chris.

I agree with Dave that you should be able to safely haul 5 boats in your trailer. As you know, I work in an industry that uses enclosed trailers extensively. It is not rare for someone to blow a tire but it is usually just an annoyance rather than an accident.

You are severely under gross with your load. Many of our racers have ramps inside to double deck two cars. That is much heavier and with a higher C/G than what you have.

The key is to have enough tongue weight and always use equalizer bars. There is also a special friction sway reducer you can get that attaches between the hitch and the trailer.

Yes, a dually will offer a more stable platform, but with your load it shouldn't be needed.

That tire pressure device someone posted looks like a great idea.

Your reaction when a tire goes is critical. Once the oscillations begin, you are usually screwed. NEVER hit the brakes and try to stay in front of the trailer. It may even be best to accelerate a little until you get everything in line and then slowly lift off the gas. If you think about it, grab the trailer brake control and use that to slow the rig down. Even with blown tires, the trailer brakes should be somewhat effective. Most of this is counter-intuitive so it might be wise to experiment with your trailer braking techniques before an emergency application is needed.

Until this actually happens to you it is hard to anticipate the dynamics. Fortunately I have never lost a rig but have had some hairey close calls.

Good luck guys and don't give up on your concept. BTW, as a replacement I would recommend Pace American. They have a special anti-sway axle system that works very well.


Jack Woehrle
Hobie Wave #100, Tiger Shark III
HCA-NA 5022-1
USSailing 654799E
Alachua FL/Put-In-Bay
Re: Trailer Crash [Re: Mugrace72] #190063
09/03/09 02:55 AM
09/03/09 02:55 AM
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,658
Florida Suncoast, Dunedin Caus...
catman Offline
Pooh-Bah
catman  Offline
Pooh-Bah

Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,658
Florida Suncoast, Dunedin Caus...
Check the load rating on the side of the tire. If your towing it should be a C or a D. These tires have thicker side walls and allow higher tire pressures which help to reduce sway in the tow vehicle.

Example, I have Michelin LTX tires. You can buy these tires in four different load ranges.
The Tire Rack is a good place to research tires and purchase.
Tire Rack



Have Fun
Re: Trailer Crash [Re: catman] #190064
09/03/09 04:07 AM
09/03/09 04:07 AM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 749
Santa Cruz, CA
SurfCityRacing Offline
old hand
SurfCityRacing  Offline
old hand

Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 749
Santa Cruz, CA
2 multi-stack cat trailers taken out the last few years. What are we doing wrong guys?

Luckily, both times, no one was seriously injured.

Re: Trailer Crash [Re: catman] #190077
09/03/09 08:09 AM
09/03/09 08:09 AM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,118
Northfield Mn
Karl_Brogger Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Karl_Brogger  Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,118
Northfield Mn
Originally Posted by catman
Check the load rating on the side of the tire. If your towing it should be a C or a D.


If its a car trailer, it should have an "E" rated tire on it.

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