Metamorphosis

[mikeschn]

Arne,

It seems like you know the dangers of having your axle so far forward. I'm glad it's, "as you say", just a temporary situation. How far back are you planning on moving it?

Mike...

[Arne]

I'll be using a tongue weight of 10% or about 110#. I can unbolt the suspension assembly and move it back (I have several floor jacks, so I lift, slide the axle, then set it down) and check the tongue weight... that will determine how far back I move it.

But, the battery box is only about 14 inches long, so that appears to be the max I will move it back, since I tested the axle behind the battery box and the tongue weight was enormous....

I know real teardropers want their axle about 2 feet from the back end, but believe me, the trailer is towing fine where it is now. There is a tiny bit of wiggle, once in a while, but it is no worse than it was in the tear's original configuration.... and I think that is cause partly from axle location and turbulence cause by the van and the 4 foot tow bar, which gives the air off the back of the van the chance to fall into the gap.

Anyway, I wouldn't use it if I was at all concerned, and my take on it today was it was much better than I had expected it to be. Tomorrow, I'll be towing it around town doing errands before I leave for the Cape, so will see if I need to add any weight to the front.....

[Arne]

The tools are put away, the sawdust is in the dust bin, and the garage sits, waiting to be called into use for my next project........ sigh....

THE END

[madjack]

...an empty shop...so sad but also so full of possibilities
madjack

[Guest]

Stop by my place if you want something to do.
(I'll even teach you how to do stained glass if you like...)

[Arne]

Well, made it to the cape. the trailer towed pretty well, with a bit of swaying when there was a lot of trailer truck traffic.. but, i'm talking minimal, nothing close to being disconcerting.....

set up went well and i've got a brand new heavy duty extension cord. I found i can pass it through the hatch pad lock before closing it so no one can walk off with it...... neat little trick (hey, i'm neurotic and it cost me $15.00.

I'm also having dreams of a 750# teardrop next year. but the gas mileage is up with the new profile....

off for lobster....

[Arne]

Back home, trailer sway was never a problem.... I did try to induce the trailer to sway, and could get the tail of the trailer going, but it settled right back in behind the van after I stopped moving the steering wheel back and forth.

I'm pretty sure it was as stable as it was because the tongue of the trailer is just over 4 feet long. the trailer does hang out a ways past the wheels, but is still pretty much centered on the axle...

Anyway, will be fixing that problem and finishing the hatch next week. Seems we have rain the next couple of days, so my sheep dog trial this weekend will be a washout....

[SteveH]

Glad it worked out well for you, Arne.

[Arne]

This is just too annoying not to share.... I have a battery box under my trailer. When I added the galley, I had to move the axle because I had more weight in the back.... So, I went to move the axle back and hit the battery box... I had put 80 pounds (2 bags) of rocks in the galley to approximate the weight of the microwave, cooking gear, food, etc.....

So, I had to fill in the hole where the battery box was, move it, cut a new hole in the floor, rewire it, etc.....

Today, I have hooked up the microwave, put all the cooking gear in, etc... checked the tongue weight... 139#, or over the 100# I wanted (turns out my 80# estimate was high).. so I figured, I'd spend an hour and reposition the axle.... bang.... hit the battery box....

The battery and box are now on the work shelf, the axle is moved, I have my 100# tongue weight (actually, 97#).....

In a couple of days, I have to pull out the mattress, fill in the hole, cut a new one, redo the wiring....... boy, I'm getting good at this, but I hope this is the last time......

[SteveH]

Arne,

Sounds like some of my projects.

[Arne]

Rather than start a new topic, I'll just put this here.... I must warn you all, it is 11.30 a.m., and in the spirit of spirits, I've had a wee dram of Woodford Reseve, a premium quality Kentucky Bourbon, so you will have to excuse me if I type slowly.... I have created 3 web sites, formerly mentioned, and only posted here for your entertainment.

1) a synopsis of our year: http://www.freewebs.com/checkoutarne

2) and former posted: http://www.freewebs.com/teardrop-stuff

3) lastly, how I make my living, timing the market: http://www.freewebs.com/timer-stuff

Thanks to MikeS, I can now create lots of web site to bore... I mean 'entertain'.... my friends with.

These sites have been noted on a sheet of paper that is included with each Christmas Card I send out.....

[mikeschn]

Thanks to MikeS, I can now create lots of web site to bore... I mean 'entertain'.... my friends with.

I've created a monster!!!

:LOL:

Mike...

[Arne]

Yes you have..! Now that I kind of know what I'm going and they are free, watch out. Atually, 'checkoutarne' is a premium update, but not the other two..

Every once in a while they warn me they will be dropped since no one has given them a hit, so, I just go over and look again.

[critter]

hay arnereil,
cool job,how bout namming it chooper

[Arne]

My receiver and ball mount have (had) a tiny bit of play, enough to be annoying after 5,000 miles of rattling... So, I welded on some square nuts. This are best for welding, and I found them a home depot in the 'specialty' drawers. They are 1/2" diameter.... I now use pinch bolts to lock it up solid... on top/rear, bottom/front, and one on the side. The bolts are arranged so they carry no static load, but they keep the ball mount from wiggling around.