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

[BamZipPow]

Maybe an air bag spring might be the best approach. It's totally adjustable, lightweight, can be easily be unloaded fer hitch up and then loaded fer road travel just by using air. Seems the cost would be somewhere around $100 to $150. We'll have to do more research.

Here's a quick view of the setup...


Maybe a cable between the two brackets to keep the air bag from being over extended when disconnected.

[freebeard]

I was thinking below the hitch, too. You're working between the lowered tailgate and the diffuser. This is what I've been thinking since I came back to the thread:

Two friction shocks at the pivot points. They need bronze bushings anyway, you could home-brew something or, from:
Friction disk shock absorber - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Originally Posted by Wikipedia

Motorcycles of the same period, through to the 1950s, that used girder forks also used friction disk shock absorbers. These were often provided with a large handwheel, so that they could be adjusted easily during a ride, or even whilst in motion.

[dbracer23]

You should consider improving the trailer suspension. The reason you are getting so much "bucking" is that the rubber puck "spring" is undamped. A simple suspension setup on the trailer would not only help your current problem but also provide a softer ride for any cargo you may carry later on.

[BamZipPow]

Originally Posted by dbracer23

You should consider improving the trailer suspension. The reason you are getting so much "bucking" is that the rubber puck "spring" is undamped. A simple suspension setup on the trailer would not only help your current problem but also provide a softer ride for any cargo you may carry later on.

I really didn't git that much bucking when the trailer was really loaded down. I only saw it when it wasn't loaded to the point of minimizing the bucking.

I think it would be possible to install an airbag setup or some other suspension setup in place of my rubber puck suspension but it would involve a lot of metal work modifications which I don't have the skill set to do on my own at this time.

Keep in mind that I won't have a lot of money to throw at this boat tail project. If I did, I could just buy a brand new SWIVELWHEEL-ECO in Katy, TX fer about $900 plus tax/title/tags. Even though their suspension setup is a torsion bar, I don't think their suspension setup will allow adjustable dampening fer various loads. I think their setup would still have some sort of bucking if empty/lightly loaded. Looking at their video, I believe they would have the same bucking problem in a lightly loaded configuration.
http://www.cruiserlift.com/sitebuild...iles/sweco.mov

I would still like to see if the airbag system I've drawn up from the trailer to the hitch adapter would really work to dampen any remaining oscillations as it has the potential as an ideal adjustable dampening setup. As a matter of fact, I haven't seen any of the single wheel trailers that addresses that issue at all...even with the new designs.

My goal really isn't to carry any cargo in the boat tail trailer but more of a proof of concept that it could work compared to a hard point boat tail setup that others have built.

[BamZipPow]

Looks like an option would be some SumoSprings (about $170) which are a closed cell polyurethane system that doesn't require maintenance or air. I could git a pair and install one (maybe chopping it down) on the trailer wheel suspension and use the other one as the hitch dampener.
SumoSprings Custom Helper Springs Kit - Rear Axle SuperSprings Vehicle Suspension SSR-202

[Thenorm]

those friction disk shock absorbers seem perfect. They are already damping in rotation exactly the same motion at the hitch point. Also, i bet you could fabricate one pretty easy. its just different discs, a spring and a bolt.

[BamZipPow]

Looks like Goodyear makes a small air bag that might work. The size is just about perfect to fit where the rubber puck is. Not bad fer $27 plus shipping.
1S3-013 Goodyear Air Spring

Actuation Force @100 PSI (Lbs.) Compressed 620
Actuation Force @ 100 PSI (Lbs.) Extended 140
A 2.40" (upper diameter)
B 3.40" (lower diameter)

I think the SumoSprings will be too stiff fer my application.

I could try a proof of concept fer the front dampener with some wood bracing and a tire tube or two.

[Jasen]

If I'm following your train of thought, Timbren's might have something Home - Timbren Industries Inc. Ride Control Products

[BamZipPow]

Originally Posted by Jasen

If I'm following your train of thought, Timbren's might have something Home - Timbren Industries Inc. Ride Control Products

I did check out some of Timbren's products and didn't really find anything that I could adapt. I did notice that they had their axle-less trailer setup and wondered if I could adapt some parts of the 400lb load suspension system from that...

Axle-Less - Timbren Industries Inc. Ride Control Products

[euromodder]

Found it