R 27 trailer

[dreamer*65]

Any recommendations regarding the appropriate size trailer needed for safe towing of the R 27? I've had VERY knowledgeable folks (professional cross-country haulers, marina owners, boat owners, truck mechanics, etc.) tell me that the RT standard issue double-axle torsion suspension EZ Loader is MINIMAL for towing the weight of the R 27; and they recommend a triple axle with spring suspension(?) If interested, I have some impressive pics of what my EZ loader trailer/tires/fenders looked like when it arrived after a 3,000 mile cross-country delivery trip. I'm curious if it was just my particular trailer (used) and its arrival condition was an exception.

 

[NorthernFocus]

Like any equipment trailers should be sized with the expected operating context in mind. If all you need to do is trailer the boat a few miles over mostly level roads to the launch ramp and back then no need for an overly beefy trailer. However if you plan on a lot of highway miles, then an "oversized" trailer is a good idea.

The rating(on paper) of the trailer that was supplied with my boat is marginal. That fact is evident in practice by simply observing how heavily loaded the tires are and by how high it has to be jacked before the load comes off the springs. With tires, bearings, and springs operating continuously near their design limit there is higher likelihood of failure if/when you hit potholes etc. on the highway.

Edit: one cautionary note on leaf springs vs. torsion springs is that a trailer equipped with leaf springs will likely ride higher and require that you sink the trailer farther during launch/recovery.

 

[knotflying]

I have an R-27 and have towed it quite a bit on my Float-on, all aluminum dual axle trailer. I have about 20,000 mikes of towing with it. No issues. It is a bit larger in capacity than the standard trailer, but dual axle works fine for me. two less wheels to maintain and blow out.

 

[NorthernFocus]

I have an R-27 and have towed it quite a bit on my Float-on, all aluminum dual axle trailer. I have about 20,000 mikes of towing with it. No issues. It is a bit larger in capacity than the standard trailer, but dual axle works fine for me. two less wheels to maintain and blow out.

Mike makes a good point. Double vs triple axle isn't a problem and can be a good thing. It's the overall load rating on the trailer that's relevant. A bit of margin between rated vs actual load is what matters.

 

[nzfisher]

Get heavy duty truck tires for the trailer instead of trailer tires. Most RV users have gone to this and they tow way more than we do.

 

[knotflying]

Get heavy duty truck tires for the trailer instead of trailer tires. Most RV users have gone to this and they tow way more than we do.

There are different trains of thought on this. It is my understanding that trailer tires have reinforced sidewalls to deal with the tremendous side pressure put on them during turns. Also, insurance companies like to find any reason why not to pay a claim. So if a mishap happens while using truck tire will they use that as an excuse not to pay.

Just some thoughts to ponder.

 

[NorthernFocus]

Tires won't make any difference if the axles and suspension aren't rated for the load. Pics referenced in the OP look like tires were bottoming out against fenders. Quite a mess. Definitely something bad wrong.

 

[ALICE J]

I went from "E" rated trailer tires to "H" rated trailer tires because I knew I was pushing the upper limits of my trailer. I put Tire Minders on the trailer tires to monitor the pressure and temperatures. The Tire Minders saved my "bacon" three separate times. twice with leaking valve stems and once with a cracked rim. I hauled my R 27 from Florida to BC, Canada, then down the Rocky Mountain Spine from 9000 ft to -286 ft elevation, temperatures from 30 degrees to 110 degrees F, via Big Bend, Texas and back to Florida Replaced the flimsy trailer fenders because of cracking due to flexing; with welded 3/16 aluminium, in BC, Canada. Faulty installation of trailer brake calipers lead to replacing two of them, the brake line and pump for the electric/hydrolic on the trailer. Guessing I put about 14,000 miles on R27 RV Float-on, Pioneer Classic trailer. I did tighten all the bolts on the trailer twice on my trip, despite the nylon lock nuts, guessing that the flexing contributed to their loosening. I kept my speed to 55 mph of less most of the entire trip and had big flashing yellow light on the swim platform to warn approaching high speed drivers coming up behind me.