| Author |
Message |
Jim Shepherd (Rv_safetyman)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 27, 2005 - 1:07 pm: | |
As most of you know, I have been researching towing hardware/trailer technology that can be used to tow large trailers behind buses without adding large vertical loads to the bus structure. I just ran across another quite interesting and unique option: Trailer Toad (http://www.pennglassfender.com).
Note: The website listed above does not fully load on either my or my wife's browser. The left hand and bottom menu do not load for some reason. In the left hand menu, I am told there is a FAQ. I have the electronic version of this FAQ if you would like a copy. I have also published some basic information on the system (along with several other systems) on my web site:
http://www.rvsafetysystems.com/Trailer%20Towing.htm
This is a recently marketed product that has been under development for quite a while. It is covered by US Patent 6,820,887. There are two versions. The first has 8 inch tires and is rated for 2,000 pounds tongue weight (priced at $2695) and the second has 10 inch tires and is rated at 3,000 pounds tongue weight (priced at $2895).
The axle is pivoted (small amount of rotation) and the unit is mounted to the bus/motorhome via a direct connection (no pivot). The unit comes with the equalizer bars and an extra tire with cover.
The marketing folks say that it backs up well for short distances without any change to the unit (wheels are not castered), while longer backing can be easily accomplished by locking the back-up arm.
I talked to Rick at Penn Glass Fenders (1-814-344-8110 ext.4) and he said it has been tested behind motorhomes with large overhangs and the unique solid mount system with the pivot axle tracks very well.
I have briefly reviewed the patent and I am impressed with the design of this unit.
I have no financial involvement with any of the products listed on my trailer towing page.
Jim Shepherd
Evergreen, CO
’85 Eagle 10
Bus Project details: http://www.rvsafetysystems.com/busproject.htm (updated 2/17/05) |
John Jewett (Jayjay)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, May 28, 2005 - 12:04 am: | |
Let's see...an 8 inch wheel spins approximately 1,245 times per mile. That's around 87,169 revs (or 1452 RPM) per hour @ 70 MPH. If I left Ft.Myers and headed for my sisters house in Oregon, I'd have to stop in Salt Lake City to re-pack the 'Buddy' bearings. Technical info for re-pack mileage taken from Buddy's product literature, as supplied by Northern Tool. If they put 15 inch wheels on it I'll be interested, otherwise it'll be great for moving the hay wagon around the barnyard. My dad had one like it when I was a kid on the farm 40 years ago, and the RV and boat dealers use them to shuffle inventory around the lot.
...JJ |
Sean Mormelo (Sventvkg)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, May 28, 2005 - 6:27 am: | |
Also, I can't see how this is worth $3K...Sorry, I'm obviously too ignorant to understand the price...For $1500 maybe. |
Jack Gregg (Jackinkc)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, May 28, 2005 - 2:01 pm: | |
Tongue weight can be reduced by redistributing the load in the trailer. This product might reduce the load stress from the trailer bobbing on uneven surfaces (like rail road tracks). |
FAST FRED
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, May 29, 2005 - 5:09 am: | |
"Tongue weight can be reduced by redistributing the load in the trailer."
Most trailers need 10% to 12% of the total trailer weight on the tongue to track properly.
And some folks want BIG Heavy trailers.
Personally I still think a 4 wheel trailer (as UPS does ) would work with the least risk to tearing the tail off the bus.
FAST FRED |
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