Buying an enclosed trailer

[Diamondpilot]

a point about towing vehicle.

a 7k car hauler or flat bed tows differently from a 7k enclosed. this is due to wind resistance of the front of the trailer. other things being equal, the drag dynamics of an enclosed trailer are harder on the tow vehicle and can make the difference in on-ramp acceleration, mpg, highway gearing (in overdrive or high or in a lower gear) and sway in strong cross winds.

amp

Actually most of the drag comes from the back of the trailer. Its the wind turbulence off of blunt objects that creates lots of drag. That is why things that are very aero dynamic have swooping lines and smooth transitions. In the airplane world this causes what is called wing tip vorticity or better know as wake turbulence.

Chris

 

[tommu56]

if you are going to put sleds in ther paint it before it gets dirty or messed up and caulk all the in side joints.

tom

 

[Groo]

Hey, I am just telling you the facts. I deal with trailers every day of the week in my marine business. You never see a 5,000# boat rolling down the road on a single axle trailer. Don't try to re-invent the wheel here. Its a proven combo. Get tandems.

Chris

I know everyone does it. I'd like to know why.

I can give ya one reason why a tandem is safer than a single axle and one thing a single axle can't do..
1. You can have two more brakes = more braking action, quicker stops.
2. If you have a flat on a tandem and have no spare (or it's flat) you can sling the axle up and keep on going if you are not overloading the one tire on that side.

#1 just isn't true, I've hauled 8 axle semi trailers. they don't stop on a dime.

#2 while true, past experience tells me that the heavy duty stuff also lasts longer.

the biggest advantage I see is more resistance to side skids, I'm just not sure how impotant it is.


I see plenty of disadvantages with multiple axles.
They have to be aligned relative to each other, in addition to with the centerline.

more linkages and complexity in the suspension

increased roling resistance

tires need to skid during a tight turn. a single axle will just role.
this will cause pushing around corners and tire wear

 

[Groo]

if you are going to put sleds in ther paint it before it gets dirty or messed up and caulk all the in side joints.

tom

are you talking painting the interior wood?

 

[Groo]

Actually most of the drag comes from the back of the trailer. Its the wind turbulence off of blunt objects that creates lots of drag. That is why things that are very aero dynamic have swooping lines and smooth transitions. In the airplane world this causes what is called wing tip vorticity or better know as wake turbulence.

Chris

I supose I could get side wings to force air into the wake, I'll get a ramp door (or 2), so barn doors wont hit them

A V-nose is an option (I'll probable get), a V-tail isn't.

 

[tommu56]

are you talking painting the interior wood?

yep I din't do my floor till after I put snow covered sled in.
The water wicks in to all the jointa and up the sides about 2".
paint all the wood inside! then use some clear caulk on the floor to wall joints and floor seams.

tom

 

[Groo]

thanks for the idea.

 

[RobertN]

paint all the wood inside! then use some clear caulk on the floor to wall joints and floor seams.

tom

Good idea. that was the first thing we did in our Scout trailer. Sealed the floor before the kids got in there with muddy feet. And, they had fun painting...