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Feedback on my 3place trailer please

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Crofoot50

Crofoot50

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Hey Guys
Please give me feedback on my trailer. I extended the front of the trailer and mounted parts from another trailer with three older lighter skis to convert it from a two place to a three place trailer , please let me know your thoughts and comments negative or positive ! so far I towed it 10 miles , it pulls like a dream getting ready to take a four hour trip on July 4th

21.jpg
 
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Just a thought.....if you turn the front ski to face forward it might take a little weight off the tongue.
Also the bow would help to deflect the wind after it gets around your truck.....instead of hitting the back of the ski. think worse MPG.
Like I said, it's just a thought.


you could lower the wheel jack to take the weight off.....OK< OK JUST KIDDING. :)
 
I would like to see the actual figure on the tongue weight.

My point is, if the tongue weight was correct before, (around 50 pounds), there is no way that it is not increased by the additional trailer extension weight and that of the jet ski...

Too heavy and your vehicle will be working considerably harder and the trailer will be flexing much more ahead of the axle.

It looks good, but I truly feel the axle needs to be moved..
 
The tongue issue is your problem. Don't assume, check the specs on your trailer to see if it falls in line. I would guess that thing is 400 lbs worst case. If the tongue snaps, the safety chains won't even stop it from coming loose and killing someone
 
Coastiejoe said:
It looks good, but I truly feel the axle needs to be moved..
Click to expand...

Indeed, I would move it forward at least 3-4 feet if you can. I think you basically want to set it so that when you set it on the kick stand that it barely keeps the tongue from tipping up in the air. Its a balancing act.
 
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I like it.
Looks like you moved the 2 skis back further so that helps balance the tongue weight.
Only 2 things i would consider is the weight limit on the axles & tires.
I don't think there is anything illegal with it but im no expert. I am sure the little extra tongue weight makes it pull better. I am thinking about moving mine forward to increase the tongue weight so it pulls better.
 
Put a bathroom scale under the tip of the tongue and report back on the reading. I believe that the max of TW is 10% of the total weight of the trailer....ski + trailer+misc, gas, etc.

there is the 3 skis weigh 1200-1350 total + gas at 6 lbs per gallon...27-30 gallons = 150-180 lbs, + another 40 misc that totals 1390-1570..the TW should be no more than 140-157 lbs or so.
 
You are going to have to back your tow vehicle far down into the water in order to float the forward ski.
 
The tire rating issue somebody brought up is important too. If those are 500 lb tires, you're probably over capacity.
 
Tongue weight should be no less than 10% of total weight, to reduce possibility of trailer whipping back and forth. Might want to test it at speed and try to coax it to whip, wouldn't want to drive all the way to Florida with a trailer that wants to whip around.

I'd also think about extending the tongue further back into the trailer, could go to the axle. Heavier tube might be a good idea.

Turn that front ski forward for better aesthetics, IMO, attract less attention from State Troopers.
 
I imagine if he turns the ski around it would have to move forward more as the nose will not tuck in between the other two.
I would check the tongue weight as suggested.
 
MC87SS said:
I imagine if he turns the ski around it would have to move forward more as the nose will not tuck in between the other two.
I would check the tongue weight as suggested.
Click to expand...
I will weigh the tounge using the bathroom scale trick and report back . I cant turn the front ski around because it will not tuck in between the rear skis and all the front skis weight would be on the tounge. When I extended the trailer the galv tube I used was heavier thicker steel than the one The trailer was built with.
 
The only thing that gets me.. Is when I see a trailer that length, it usually has 2 axles (16' + boat).. IMO the axle needs to be moved forward or there should be a second one.. Regardless of tongue weight at rest, the tongue weight while driving / hitting bumps / stopping / accelerating is way off where it should be..
 
"When I extended the trailer the galv tube I used was heavier thicker steel than the one The trailer was built with."

Can't tell which parts you extended. This trailer looks quite a bit like my Sportster trailer which is plenty strong IMO, that boat weighs about 1300lbs, I think.

Axles (and tires) have load capacities, not sure if these are at limits but I'm sure you've already done the math otherwise you wouldn't have gone to the trouble.
 
Crofoot50 said:
Great FEEDBACK ! Keep it coming guys, that 92xp weighs like nothing . Tounge weight is fine
Click to expand...

Did you weigh it? That ski... with fuel is over 400 Lbs. Yes, it's light... but it's still a lot of forward weight.


Also... I have that same double trailer, and I'm sure it's over weight. Not to mention.. the metal is thin.


So... if you are going to do it... keep an eye on the trailer... it may crack.
 
You might want bigger tires on it also. A 2nd axle is a great idea too from the other poster.
 
Why not put the front ski on sideways instead of long ways... seems you wouldnt need to back the truck down as far.. and maybe easier to get on and off.
 
Dr Honda said:
Did you weigh it? That ski... with fuel is over 400 Lbs. Yes, it's light... but it's still a lot of forward weight.


Also... I have that same double trailer, and I'm sure it's over weight. Not to mention.. the metal is thin.


So... if you are going to do it... keep an eye on the trailer... it may crack.
Click to expand...

The max tounge weight is 350 lbs (stamped on trailer) and the tires are rated high easily Handle
weight. Max trailer load is 2200 lbs of cargo and I am undr that even all 3 skis full of fuel.
You cant turn it sideways it sticks out to far. Tounge seems heavy I am gonna weigh it now
Some more reinforcing to stop frame from flexing is necc I believe.
 
I'll have to go check the tag on mine. But, I think it's 2200 gross. So you have to subtract the 300 or so Lbs for the trailer.

But like I was saying, add an axle and it will take more load, balance the toung, and help with the ballance when one ski is removed.
 
"Tounge seems heavy"

That's a function of axle position, 90% of the weight should be on axle and the remaining 10% on the tongue. Is the axle rated at 2200 lbs?

Also, your rating figure doesn't include the modifications you made, not sure really what those were but don't see how load capacity could've been increased unless your mods specifically increased frame strength. The area in front of the axle up to the middle of the front ski looks questionable to me.

Which highway are you taking, are there any pot holes?
 
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