Boat tail project based on a single wheel trailer...

[BamZipPow]

Originally Posted by UtopiaCRD

Great project! I was wondering when someone would start looking into single wheel trailers for this purpose.

I have some experience with this type of trailer, and I wanted to make a suggestion on the ride quality issues you had at first (and I assume still have, although you have moved on).

It is VITAL that the trailer (or more specifically, the wheel pivot) is level. If there is a slope, it can be slightly toward the front (i.e., the front of the trailer slightly lower than the rear), but never ever should the front of the trailer be higher than the rear. The physics of this causes the wheel to try to move to the side rather than line up as it is being towed.

The reason that adding weight helped you get a better tow is that it leveled out the trailer and corrected the physics. That's why there is usually an adjustment on the hitch attachment for the ride height to be able to level the trailer.

Looking forward to your success on this project so I can copy it!

I'm not sure of the actual pivot wheel's caster angle when the trailer is level or how much it changes when at either extreme (high or low) with my current vehicle hitch height. I'll have to spend some time to measure it when I git to some level ground and see what the differences are.

When I first got my trailer, I attached the pivot at the lowest point and the trailer bounced pretty badly in the back. I understood it as the pivot point was lower than the rear which allowed the trailer to bounce more readily. On the trip back home with the trailer, I moved the pivot point to it's highest adjustment which is slightly higher than the rear of the trailer. Although I did load the trailer down, there was significant rolling/movement due to the slop in the hitch adapter I was using. Since having the hitch rewelded to a 2" setup, I haven't adjusted from the highest position yet. Since I have 5 different adjustments to choose from, I'll have to try the different levels with the new trailer setup and see if they improve or make the towing worse.

This piccie is after I picked up the trailer and moved the pivot point to it's highest setting...


I have some different thoughts/ideas about how to make the trailer tow a little bit smoother but will take some time to figure out how feasible it will be to implement those ideas. I'll keep you posted if any of them come to fruition.

[BamZipPow]

Ready to go out fer a test run. I dropped the hitch point one click down...about 1".

[Jyden]

Looking good. Look forward to hear what mpg's you are getting with it.

[jeff88]

It's coming together nicely, can't wait to hear what kind of numbers you pull.

Just had a thought... when you have the trailer fabbed up to how you want it, you should put a generator inside, attached to the wheel and eliminate your alternator for even more fuel savings!

[MetroMPG]

Moment of suspense...

[wyatt]

Originally Posted by jeff88

It's coming together nicely, can't wait to hear what kind of numbers you pull.

Just had a thought... when you have the trailer fabbed up to how you want it, you should put a generator inside, attached to the wheel and eliminate your alternator for even more fuel savings!

I can't tell if that's a joke or not, but it won't work. The alternator is belt driven, and has a power draw from the engine. Your concept would be wheel driven, and have the same (if not more) power draw from the engine. You could spend a lot of money putting peltier panels along the exhaust line, and possibly eliminate the alternator, but pulling along a wheel to do a job that the engine is doing now simply will not work.

[BamZipPow]

My short round trip this afternoon yielded a 28.8mpg at 65mph. Can't wait to see what I git when I make my run up North to Wichita passing through Aerohead's area this weekend.

I still have more gap covers to install after I load up the truck on Saturday. Hopefully my tech will hold together fer the entire trip.

[jeff88]

Originally Posted by wyatt

I can't tell if that's a joke or not, but it won't work. The alternator is belt driven, and has a power draw from the engine. Your concept would be wheel driven, and have the same (if not more) power draw from the engine. You could spend a lot of money putting peltier panels along the exhaust line, and possibly eliminate the alternator, but pulling along a wheel to do a job that the engine is doing now simply will not work.

No joke, this is what I am talking about. Don't know about the validity of it, but BZP has set himself up closest than anybody else to test it, if he wanted.

[BamZipPow]

Originally Posted by jeff88

No joke, this is what I am talking about. Don't know about the validity of it, but BZP has set himself up closest than anybody else to test it, if he wanted.

That is very interesting concept...although it won't work on my single wheel trailer as the wheel pivots around when backing up so any cables attached to it could potentially git ripped off. Thanks fer the thought though.

[wyatt]

Originally Posted by jeff88

No joke, this is what I am talking about. Don't know about the validity of it, but BZP has set himself up closest than anybody else to test it, if he wanted.

It looks like what they are trying to do is turn a non-hybrud into a plug in hybrid. The concept is a trailer with 800 pounds of batteries. I didn't see where it eliminated the alternator. I also couldn't watch their linked to trailer video, but I don't think it would clear much up.

It is an interesting concept. The major problem I see is that hybrid systems do the most to boost efficiency around town, which is exactly where I wouldn't want to have a trailer. If it was to be viable for long trips, maybe an engine with a higher efficiency (read diesel) could be utilized.

It does give you something to think about.