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Double axle boat trailer - axle spacing
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James McCormack
Jan 18, 2002, 2:30:56 PM1/18/02
to
I have a double axle boat trailer. I would like to increase the spacing
between the axles for carrying a bilge keel sailboat. I guess though that there
is a limit on how far the axles should be apart?? Maybe there is a problem
with side strain on the wheels when turning sharply.
Are there any rules of thumb, or something I can look up on this?
grateful for any help...,
James
between the axles for carrying a bilge keel sailboat. I guess though that there
is a limit on how far the axles should be apart?? Maybe there is a problem
with side strain on the wheels when turning sharply.
Are there any rules of thumb, or something I can look up on this?
grateful for any help...,
James
Dazed and Confuzed
Jan 18, 2002, 8:20:12 PM1/18/02
to
increasing the spacing will make it harder to turn, causing a lot of wear and side
load on the tires when turning, especially when turning sharply (as in a U turn).
Most tires will slip before they break your axles, but the strain on the U bolts
and/or springs increases as the spacing grows. In addition, spacing the axles can
greatly affect the tracking of the trailer. (too big and it will wiggle side to
side at speed, which can be a real pain) Also, pay attention to Center of Gravity
on the trailer (when boat is on it) as this too can cause a great deal of wiggle
and sway. Both axles should have approximately the same amount of weight, as well
as leaving 10-15% tongue weight.
load on the tires when turning, especially when turning sharply (as in a U turn).
Most tires will slip before they break your axles, but the strain on the U bolts
and/or springs increases as the spacing grows. In addition, spacing the axles can
greatly affect the tracking of the trailer. (too big and it will wiggle side to
side at speed, which can be a real pain) Also, pay attention to Center of Gravity
on the trailer (when boat is on it) as this too can cause a great deal of wiggle
and sway. Both axles should have approximately the same amount of weight, as well
as leaving 10-15% tongue weight.
Just my $0.02
Bert
James McCormack wrote:
--
"They that can give up liberty for safety deserve neither liberty nor
safety." Benjamin Franklin
Knucklehead
Jan 18, 2002, 11:30:30 PM1/18/02
to
On Fri, 18 Jan 2002 19:30:56 +0000 (UTC), "James McCormack"
<j.e.mc...@btinternet.com> wrote:
<j.e.mc...@btinternet.com> wrote:
There are no rules of thumb really. you can move the axles farther
apart but you must keep in mind cornering and trailerability, as well
as spacing them for your load to establish tounge weight so the
trailer responds well .
Klaus
Jan 21, 2002, 2:17:57 AM1/21/02
to
Go to your local licensing agency for vehicle road worthiness. They should have
the regulations.
Here in Australia, I got the required rules when I started to build my dual axle
boat trailer. They amounted to having the axles as close together as possible ( I
think it was within 1 metre). Watching the tyres squeal and deform as I manoeuvre
the trailer and boat into my yard I can see why. The problem is even worse on
triple axle trailers.
I fail to see why you want to increase the spacing, it is not a good idea, believe
me. There are all kinds of independent wheel stub axles, cranked axles and
suspensions available to cater for every type of boat hull.
Klaus
the regulations.
Here in Australia, I got the required rules when I started to build my dual axle
boat trailer. They amounted to having the axles as close together as possible ( I
think it was within 1 metre). Watching the tyres squeal and deform as I manoeuvre
the trailer and boat into my yard I can see why. The problem is even worse on
triple axle trailers.
I fail to see why you want to increase the spacing, it is not a good idea, believe
me. There are all kinds of independent wheel stub axles, cranked axles and
suspensions available to cater for every type of boat hull.
Klaus
QL
Jan 19, 2002, 11:02:51 PM1/19/02
to
What would be the advantage to spacing the axles further apart? The load
will still be the same. You must use a pivoting center for the springs
(equalizer) to maintain an equal load on the tires and setting the axles
further apart would make this difficult. You'll have to carefully position
the boat to achieve the proper tongue weight, unless you can relocate the
axles fore and aft.
--
Quinton
"They that can give up liberty for safety deserve neither liberty nor
safety." Benjamin Franklin
will still be the same. You must use a pivoting center for the springs
(equalizer) to maintain an equal load on the tires and setting the axles
further apart would make this difficult. You'll have to carefully position
the boat to achieve the proper tongue weight, unless you can relocate the
axles fore and aft.
--
Quinton
"They that can give up liberty for safety deserve neither liberty nor
safety." Benjamin Franklin
"James McCormack" <j.e.mc...@btinternet.com> wrote in message
news:a29t5f$90i$1...@paris.btinternet.com...
James McCormack
Jan 21, 2002, 2:47:57 PM1/21/02
to
Thanks for the comments. Looks like it is best not to try this route.
> I fail to see why you want to increase the spacing, it is not a good idea, believe
> me. There are all kinds of independent wheel stub axles, cranked axles and
> suspensions available to cater for every type of boat hull.
The problem is that the wheels get in the way of the bilge keels, so the boat has to
sit higher on the trailer - above the wheels.
I have seen the same boat on a trailer do just this though, and it seemed to work ok.
James
Klaus
Jan 21, 2002, 9:18:36 PM1/21/02
to
It looks as if your trailer does not have the maximum width allowable or your boat is
over width.
My boat has a flat bottom hull which comes very close to the wheel mud guards but it
just fits. The boat's beam and trailer are the maximum 2.5m width allowable here without
special permits.
Have you thought about launching and retrieving your boat? If the bilge keels do not fit
now they will not fit with an increased axle spacing either when sliding on and off the
trailer.
So, your option of raising the boats keels above the wheels seems the only one, albeit
not a good one. If it was mine I'd investigate into a wider trailer, having to dunk the
trailer even deeper to float the boat off would exclude many ramps to your boat.
good luck with your quest,
Klaus
over width.
My boat has a flat bottom hull which comes very close to the wheel mud guards but it
just fits. The boat's beam and trailer are the maximum 2.5m width allowable here without
special permits.
Have you thought about launching and retrieving your boat? If the bilge keels do not fit
now they will not fit with an increased axle spacing either when sliding on and off the
trailer.
So, your option of raising the boats keels above the wheels seems the only one, albeit
not a good one. If it was mine I'd investigate into a wider trailer, having to dunk the
trailer even deeper to float the boat off would exclude many ramps to your boat.
good luck with your quest,
Klaus
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