I don't know how many boats out there have a single-axle Triad Trailer and I haven't spoken to Triad about this problem, but I'm not at all convinced that the trailer is fitted properly. The trailer was built last year around this time and I towed the boat down to Baltimore from MA in Feb. 2001. It was not a pleasant trip that, at the time, I credited to the shortish wheel base of my '97 Pathfinder. The problem was a lot of bouncing, lifting of the back end of the truck, fishtailing, etc.

Anyway, when the boatyard pulled her and put her on the trailer this year, they called me and complained about a lack of tongue weight when the keel was centered over the axle in the keel pan. They had to shift the keel forward significantly and it now over-hangs the pan by at least 3 inches. That's fine for keeping it in the yard with blocks under the trailer, but with the keel not centered over the axle, I'm more than a little apprehensive about long trips...although my lack of confidence about the way it currently trailers was enough to call-off going to Detroit NOOD last year (among other things).

Not to drag this out, but I recall having had to twist Triad's arm just get them to make this trailer a single-axle and am wondering if that isn't the problem, i.e. double-axle weight distribution on a single-axle. Right now, I don't have a solution and if anyone else has had this problem, let me know what you did to fix it. I know mine is not the only single-axle Triad out there...in fact, didn't the former Midnight Express get trailered out to the Bay with a single-axle Triad? Help.

-Jason

Brendan Busch on 11/29/101 5:34 PM said:

>>Here's what I learned about replacing trailer pads and keel support for one of those original Trail-Rite trailers:

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>>Trail-Rite sells pads & supports. Pads are $21.40 each, the pipe for the pads are $27.00 each. And the keel support (channel, board, and carpet) is $46. They are in Southern California, very helpful and shipped the items promptly. They can be reached at 1-800-443-2304.

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>>Triad Trailers will sell the screw-type poppet pads with carpet and locking nut for $42.00 each + shipping. They ship from Conneticut, so shipping might add up on these. I'm not exactly sure what modifications might be necessary to fit them to a Trail-rite trailer, but it seemed like they'd fit right in.

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>>Triad makes beautiful new trailers for E27s--$2950.00 for a single axle (simplest model), $3490 - $5292 for double axle (simplest model up to super-fancy galvanized model). Shipping for a whole trailer is approx $900. They also have been very helpful and responsive.

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>>Triad can be reached at [email protected] or 860-354-1146.

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>>I'll be having Orlandi Trailers in San Jose do some work on the trailer. I've worked with them before and they do great work at a reasonable price with quick turnaround. They are somewhat knowledgeable about sailboat trailers.

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