[SilverStreak] Flipped axels sound decesion

["Bussiere, Curtis L SFC RES USAR TRADOC" <curtis.bussiere@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

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. B 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. B I would not ever do my own, nor would I ever recommend 
> it. B My
> father wanted the extra ground clearance, but the tradeoff is not 
> worth it.
> B 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. B 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
>