Posts: 11
Joined: 7/11/2002 From: Beaumont,
TX, USA Status: offline
I have a Haulmark 6X12 with tandem axels and torsion bars. This trailer beats my planes to death. Surely someone out there has had the same problem and has cured it. Please let me know. Also; anyone know where I could find a lot of exterior pics of trailers? I would like to have my roving hangar speak for itself. I have a 54% Extra 300 XS, a 41% CAP 232, a Nosen 310 Twin, a 1/3 Balsa USA Stearman, and a couple of otheres I am outfiting my trailer for. Thanks for any help, Greg B. AMA-51763
< Message edited by Cessna310Q -- Aug 30 2003 6:24AM >
Posts: 2467
Joined: 12/15/2001 From: Waynetown, IN, USA Status: offline
you do not want the suspesion so rigid that all the trailer does is bounce.......this is most likely the case. This hobby is so LIGHTWEIGHT, you just simply do not put much of a load in the trailer.
Either add some weight to the trailer or get some new springs for it
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Posts: 140
Joined: 4/24/2002 From: Lenexa,
KS, USA Status: offline
I would try gradually reducing the air pressure on the tires on the trailer. i would determine the lowest suggested air pressure on the tires and not go below that though. Let me know if that helps.
Additionally, if you have multiple leafs, you can remove the shorter, stiffer sets. Be sure and consider how the remaing leaves will fit up, clamps, etc.
If you're really handy, I have seen trailers with the springs replaced by torsion suspensions. Northern hardware stores carry them. They could require welding on certain setups.
Posts: 11
Joined: 7/11/2002 From: Beaumont,
TX, USA Status: offline
Hey guys; I first put springs, guess cause that is mostly what i've been reading about. My trailer does have torsion bars. I have heard about the tire pressure and will try that soon. Thanks.
Posts: 48
Joined: 12/24/2002 From: Indianapolis, IN, USA Status: offline
He does not have springs! Come on people please read some ones question before adding your two cents worth. 4*60 is fight add weight to trailer. You can use some heavy steel under the floor plus add some goody's like a work bench or anything useful that wight to it. please don't do the tire with low pressure even it is with in the limits don't want to tell how I know this.
If you lower the tire pressure you risk a blowout. The tires will heat up very quickly with low pressure.
As far as the torsion bars go look to see if there is any adjustment at one end. Best bet is to go to a trailer shop and retrofit the trailer for air bag suspension.
Posts: 84
Joined: 8/7/2002 From: Sallisaw, OK, USA Status: offline
I guess I'll throw in my two cents worth at the risk of being ridiculed!! I've been running plane trailers for years with no problems but started out with the same ones we're trying to fix here. I've had both big and small trailers and the fixes are almost identical........add some weight!! My latest 6'x12' trailer also got radial tires. I just recently discovered that the manufacturers put the cheapest junk for tires they can on these things and most of the times the tires are old nylon(bias-ply) tires unless you really get a Cadillac trailer. Let's face it, most of the world buys these things to haul hogs and wood in!! I totally stripped my trailer and went back with 3/4" treated floor decking, 1/4' ply insulated walls, insulated ceiling with FRP decking, and a workbench up front. All wired and lit like an electronics repair shop. Both DC & AC. I welded RV folding steps on the side and back doors(Nice!) I also put the spare tire on the tongue after building a custom rack. Everything is carpeted and I use the square-mesh orange construction netting to hold anything anywhere. This stuff lasts forever if it's out of the sun. I've used it for years. The shelf in the middle doesn't go all the way across so you can walk from front to back like an aisle in a movie theater. All welding, cabinet-work, wiring, etc. was done by three of us modelers and we did two trailers at once. It took about a month of hard work in the evenings but it's well worth it. Enjoy the pics.
Posts: 84
Joined: 8/7/2002 From: Sallisaw, OK, USA Status: offline
Thought of a few things after the last book I wrote!! My friend's trailer rides like silk compared to mine with the single axle. We ran square tubing the length of Olen's trailer and made a receiver hitch to pull my trailer behind his. Works like a dream. Wherever the first trailer goes the second is in the same wheel track!! I'd never have believed it till we checked it. I rode in both going down both paved and unpaved roads at all speeds with a walkie-talkie and a lawn chair. Mine is rougher behind the first trailer but it's mostly sway. A $60.00 sway bar fixed this. I only use it when going tandem. The dual axle set-up is almost silky on all surfaces. I could sleep in it going down the road. Mine picks up more vibration both alone and being towed. Nothing to even worry about but nothing close to the tandem axle. The only thing I'd change on my trailer if I ever had to replace it is to go tandem axle in the same size. You've got to have some "honkin'" big planes to justify anything over 6'x12'. I carry four quarter-scale planes(one is a monstrous 48# Bearcat) and a .60 sized heli everywhere and have plenty of room. I can't fly that many at any fly-in without collapsing!! I normally take two planes out and let someone else put their stuff in my trailer to go to a fly-in. I also carry my pop-up tent and all tools in the trailer. I took a lot of my ideas from RV design for space-savings and convenience. If I remember right, I think I added about 300# of weight in modifications to the overall weight not counting planes, tools, tents, etc. There's the key!!!
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