| Author |
Message |
Peter E (Sdibaja) (67.115.10.241)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, November 07, 2003 - 3:17 pm: | |
Years ago, mid 1970s, a friend had an enclosed trailer for his dragster. This was a typical 2-axle job but the thing that made it unique was the tongue. The front of the trailer was totally supported by a self-centering caster type wheel, kind of like a shopping cart, but with dual 8” or so inflatable tires. The hitch was on a draw bar like a big rig, no weight at all on the truck hitch, and the draw bar did not steer a dolly. The trailer itself was well balanced, there was probably only about 200 pounds on those little tires.
As I remember it, he had cut about 2 feet back from the ball hitch, made it a hinge, and setup the dolly wheel behind the hinge.
I have never seen one like this at any other time. Unfortunately thru the years I have totally lost contact with the friend. I assume he constructed this himself; he operated a welding shop that specialized in hitches and trailers.
The real neat part was that it could be hooked up with no help, and put no load on his short wheel base ½ ton Chevy pickup. I rode with him once, it pulled like a dream.
He used this rig on most every weekend during the season, usually going 100 to 150 miles each way.
Oh yes, it had electric brakes.
This could be a great solution for us all, any thoughts? |
Peter Broadribb (Madbrit) (170.215.60.42)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, November 07, 2003 - 3:35 pm: | |
A similar dolly wheel is still available and the company advertises in the National Dragster.
A dual small wheel sprung dolly which takes the nose weight, but in this case the tongue is in stock configuration as the dolly rides inside of the rails, if I remember correctly.
Can't find a magzine to check the details.
Peter. |
Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.99.4)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, November 07, 2003 - 3:43 pm: | |
My Dream trailer (that exists only in my mind) would have a retractible dolly wheel that was powered.
I actually have some ex-military hydraulic stuff I could do this with. (Probably cost us taxpayers $20K)
Anyway, you could extend the "Landing Gear" and pick up the tongue off the bus and with a Joystick, "Drive" the trailer to it's parking space.
Then, you can extend the jacks on the four corners and "Viola" instant shop.
Gary |
DonTX/KS (67.210.125.91)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, November 08, 2003 - 10:03 am: | |
I did some experimenting with the same type setup Gary, only since I had an Onan genset in the trailer, I was just going to use a 120v geared motor to drive the wheel. I still have dreams of running over to the parking place, sitting on the tongue "driving along like I had good sense", admiring all the dropped lower jaws as I maneuvered into that tight just right spot with ease. |
ken turner (198.81.26.38)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, November 08, 2003 - 10:45 am: | |
HEY Don, Better yet..Hook up a toy poodle to the tongue while you drive it, and do the GEE and HAW bit! |
DonTX/KS (67.210.125.91)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, November 08, 2003 - 11:29 am: | |
Now we could REALLY start a discussion as to if a CDL was needed to drive the trailer if you were vending from it for commercial purposes. I suppose an electric brake indorsement would apply also. Would it qualify as a motor vehicle and all the motor vehicle laws once you put a motor on it? Would Bandag retreads be allowed? Could you use Alcoa wheels on it? Lets not really go there. |
Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.99.4)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, November 08, 2003 - 1:06 pm: | |
How about a hydrostatic drive on the axles to act as "Helpers" on a hard pull?
Gary |
Mike Eades (Mike4905) (206.148.124.127)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, November 08, 2003 - 9:20 pm: | |
On the motorcycle circut we have some vendors who have dollies made to take the weight while driving so that nothing is on the motorhome. The problem with one unit was that travel was only about 4-5 inches. If you want to look a good unit, try to find a web site called tuff tow. Mike |
Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy) (24.196.191.70)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, November 08, 2003 - 9:40 pm: | |
There is a company in El Monte CA that manufactures an electric powered dolly to move trailers around a lot. A ball, mounted above two wheels that are electric driven and a six foot handle. Raise the handle to lower the ball and and put under the hitch. Lower the handle to pick up the hitch, push the button and go.
Richard |