junior
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Post by junior on May 31, 2017 12:44:08 GMT -8
I made the mistake of telling my aunt that I am rebuilding my dad's 69 Scotty Hilander. She's the type who sees old, not vintage, and always has the newest and biggest of everything, including their RV. She said I can't really tow it far and that I would have to sit it at a campground. I did explain that it would be a complete rebuild and that everything (or almost everything) would be new. But I have seen articles on some forms that say the same thing. That single axles can't be towed far. Is that true? If I have all important mechanical parts inspected and/or replaced, new tires, anti-sway hitch, safety chains, etc., is it really unsafe to travel? I take my family on roadtrips every summer. That was the reason for rebuilding the Scotty. If it's ready next summer, we planned to take it on our three-week trip from PA to CA.
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on May 31, 2017 13:16:52 GMT -8
Humbug, I sAy! It was built to be a TRAVEL trailer, not a parking trailer. If it is restored correctly and isroadworthy you can tow it as far as you want. If we had all old things just sit and not get used, then I'd be parked somewhere right now.
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nccamper
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1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
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Post by nccamper on May 31, 2017 14:26:48 GMT -8
I say double humbug!
I agree with Hamlet, campers have been towed all over the country once they are restored. I've towed our Forester thousands of miles without a problem. I towed one of our campers 2000 miles home before it was restored. And plenty of campers these days come with a single axle straight from the factory.
IMO, The main risk with single axle campers is a blowout so plan on buying good (Trailer rated) tires.
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junior
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Post by junior on May 31, 2017 14:28:12 GMT -8
Humbug, I sAy! It was built to be a TRAVEL trailer, not a parking trailer. If it is restored correctly and isroadworthy you can tow it as far as you want. If we had all old things just sit and not get used, then I'd be parked somewhere right now. Ok. Good to know.
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turbodaddy
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17' 1965 Fan "Sunseeker"
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Post by turbodaddy on May 31, 2017 16:00:31 GMT -8
Our first trip,(single axle w/ new "trailer rated" tires was 8000 miles with no problems except a flat on the tow vehicle. I say go for it!
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junior
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Post by junior on May 31, 2017 16:03:04 GMT -8
Thank you all. I'm going to stop worrying about it and just do it.
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Post by bigbill on May 31, 2017 20:04:43 GMT -8
If you start paying attention to trailers of all types and count the axles you will discover there are more single axle rigs than tandem. You might suggest to your aunt that if tandem axles are safer then a tri axle would be even better. The reason for multiple axles is weight, when the weight exceeds the rating of a single axle you go to tandem or tri axles. Most trailers under 18 feet are single axle. newer trailers with tons of accessories weigh more so more axles. Example 40 or 50 gallons of water then a gray and a black water tank then 2 or3 AC units on the roof plus a dishwasher and a full laundry, are you starting to see why new units need more axles. A little Shasta, Scotty, or similar weighs a 1000 to 2000 pounds which can be carried on a single axle with the proper tires.
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Post by vikx on May 31, 2017 22:27:08 GMT -8
TRIPLE the HUMBUG. Take a look at the NSSO Scotty site for more info. Lots of great threads there... www.nationalserroscotty.org/Please visit us often too!
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bmoore
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Post by bmoore on Jun 1, 2017 5:40:29 GMT -8
As someone who has pulled little single axle one and two horse trailers a zillion miles I can tell you there's no problem with this style of trailer. Horses don't stand still while being hauled. They shift and move and rock the trailer almost continuously. Much harder on a trailer than a secured load in a camper trailer. I will say that having only two tires makes you much more attentive to the condition of those two tires. You don't want to have a blow out and beat the snot out of your fender well or siding or possibly drop the trailer low enough to drag the bottom of your trailer off and wreck the rim. Yes, trailer rated tires are your best bet but proper inflation is critical as is checking the tires frequently for abnormal wear patterns. I've seen more ruined tires from bent axles, broken springs or broken u-bolts than anything else... except for under inflation, that is.
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junior
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Post by junior on Jun 1, 2017 5:55:09 GMT -8
As someone who has pulled little single axle one and two horse trailers a zillion miles I can tell you there's no problem with this style of trailer. Horses don't stand still while being hauled. They shift and move and rock the trailer almost continuously. Much harder on a trailer than a secured load in a camper trailer. I will say that having only two tires makes you much more attentive to the condition of those two tires. You don't want to have a blow out and beat the snot out of your fender well or siding or possibly drop the trailer low enough to drag the bottom of your trailer off and wreck the rim. Yes, trailer rated tires are your best bet but proper inflation is critical as is checking the tires frequently for abnormal wear patterns. I've seen more ruined tires from bent axles, broken springs or broken u-bolts than anything else... except for under inflation, that is. I did read that about under-inflated tires and I have a tire pressure monitor system on my list to buy when it's ready to tow. Thanks!
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Post by bigbill on Jun 1, 2017 6:27:05 GMT -8
As someone who has pulled little single axle one and two horse trailers a zillion miles I can tell you there's no problem with this style of trailer. Horses don't stand still while being hauled. They shift and move and rock the trailer almost continuously. Much harder on a trailer than a secured load in a camper trailer. I will say that having only two tires makes you much more attentive to the condition of those two tires. You don't want to have a blow out and beat the snot out of your fender well or siding or possibly drop the trailer low enough to drag the bottom of your trailer off and wreck the rim. Yes, trailer rated tires are your best bet but proper inflation is critical as is checking the tires frequently for abnormal wear patterns. I've seen more ruined tires from bent axles, broken springs or broken u-bolts than anything else... except for under inflation, that is. Very well said. I agree that the most important thing to check is the tire pressure. Most people have no idea how the load capacity of a tire is reduced as the pressure is decreased. like you I have pulled all types of trailers for over a half century and I would rather pull a single axle trailer than a multiple axle unit.
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