Re: [SilverStreak] Flipped axels sound decesion

[<thetansedan@xxxxxxx>]

Do you seriously think that raising the trailer DOESN"T change the CG,
thus magnifying any problems of sway? Your compromise should be stated as
such, that this modification will LESSEN safe handling. It may be a
compromise you are comfortable with, but as an educated man your obligation to
present the other side is expected. There is no free lunch, and there should
be no minimization of risk.


I thought you did a nice job of presenting the information, and I enjoyed
reading and viewing the post.

I also asked for the specs on the shock absorbers used in another post, do you
have them (or, the corrected MONROE part number)?

I have offered information in other areas that others may disagree with, and I
would hope that they would.


-----Original Message-----
From: Bussiere, Curtis L SFC RES USAR TRADOC <curtis.bussiere@us.army.mil>
To: sslist@tompatterson.com
Cc: sslist@tompatterson.com
Sent: Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:01 am
Subject: [SilverStreak] Flipped axels sound decesion


Sir, your assumption that I am just taking on tasks without concern for my or
other drivers safety is insulting at best. I am a 1994 graduate of Mack
University in Detroit. I have worked as a heavy truck mechanic for Olmos
Construction. In 1998 I returned to my Military careear and have just retired
from 30 years in uniform. I have a proven record of sound decesions and
understand torque, materials and center of balance issues. The unit is a 1974
SS
trailer not the space shuttle. Good day

----- Original Message -----
From: thetansedan@aol.com
Date: Wednesday, April 23, 2008 18:26
Subject: Re: [SilverStreak] Flipped axels (again)
To: sslist@tompatterson.com

> All it takes is once. B Modifying the suspension w/o input from a
> pro isn't a
> good idea on something this heavy. B My parents vehicles were
> beautifullymatched, and his skill as a driver B is almost
> unmatched. B While it might be
> "okay" so far as performance goes, it is still poor by comparison
> to the
> original.
> A systematic approach would be best: tires, axle design, spring
> rate and shock
> absorbers.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Keneth Wilson <ke5dfr@sbcglobal.net>
> To: sslist@tompatterson.com
> Sent: Wed, 23 Apr 2008 6:34 am
> Subject: Re: [SilverStreak] Flipped axels (again)
>
> Anytime you raise a trailer or a truck, you decrease the stability
> due to a
> higher center of gravity (CG).  The higher CG makes the vehicel
> tippy in plane
> terms, so you are always beeter off keeping the trailer or truck
> lower than
> higher.
>
> As for the axles over or  under the springs, aand the use of
> dropped axles
> over
> staight axles, it is all done to keep the CG lower.
>
> With the taller tow vehicles, you se more and moer trailer that
> set high...but
> if you notice, the olser trailers like the SS all tow better with
> fewerproblems
> than the current trailer.  Part of the reason for towing better is the
> aerodynamics and part is the lower CG.
>
> By going from an over spring to an under spring arrangement, is a
> minimal lift
> and probably will not be noticed on a properly matched tow vehicle.
>
> Ken Wilson
> KE5DFR@sbcglobal.net
> Cypress, Texas
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----
> From: "thetansedan@aol.com" <thetansedan@aol.com>
> To: sslist@tompatterson.com
> Sent: Tuesday, April 22, 2008 9:34:45 PM
> Subject: Re: [SilverStreak] Flipped axels (again)
>
> My parents raised their first one, a 1975 model. I am convinced,
> that after
> exhaustive talks with my father ten years ago, that this was a
> contributingfactor to their trailer having rolled in an emergency
> lane change on the
> highway. I would not ever do my own, nor would I ever recommend
> it. My
> father wanted the extra ground clearance, but the tradeoff is not
> worth it.
> You can bet he did not do the axle flip on the second S/S. There
> is only so
> much movement (rocking) that, first, the shock absorbers and,
> second, the
> springs can handle when the trailer starts to tip for whatever
> reason. The
> design of the suspension needs to be different to accommodate this
> increasedheight.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bussiere, Curtis L SFC RES USAR TRADOC
> <curtis.bussiere@us.army.mil>To: sslist <sslist@tompatterson.com>
> Sent: Mon, 21 Apr 2008 5:51 am
> Subject: [SilverStreak] Flipped axels (again)
>
>
> I am trying to post pictures of my 1974 Continental Supreme. Last
> summer I
> flipped the axels and installed new shocks in order to give the
> unit more
> ground
> clearance and present a better appearance when hooked up to a more
> modernhigher
> tow vehicle.
> At that time there was much discussion about center of balance and
> somespeculated that the additional 4 inches would make the rig a
> tipping hazard.
> This has proven to not be the case with us. We have put several
> hundred miles
> on
> since the flip and if anything it seems to handle better. It
> required new
> center
> pins and guide holes and of course anytime I remove a U bolt I
> replace it.
> The
> old shocks were a couple of inches to short and the boys at Auto
> Zone let me
> go
> back and dig through their shocks to find the size I needed. Of
> course all
> was
> torqued then routinely checked along the road for the first
> hundred miles as
> new
> U bolts will stretch. There has been no slipping and the axels
> track is true.
> This was a driveway project and I recommend it to anyone who wants
> to stop
> dragging their tail over every dip and improve the look of their
> unit when
> towing with a higher clearance vehicle.
> I will await directions for posting my pictures.
> This was not a 180deg flip it was moving the axels from top to the
> bottom of
> the springs. a 180deg flip will not work as the axels are designed
> to flex
> one
> way only. (dot ask me how I know this) Thanks Curt
>