Quote:
Originally Posted by wilsonintexas
I have a good tpms.
The problem I had was in a 33 foot rv and a 20 foot trailer there were few places to safely pull over and fix a flat. So by having two axles when I did get a flat I could slow down and have time to get to a safe spot to change the tire.
I had two flats and each time I had to go several miles before I could safely pull over.
With a single axle if you get a flat, you have little choice about where you stop,
If it is on the drivers side you may not have much space to safely change the tire.
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Draw yourself a Plan View (top) of your proposed dolly. Make sure to include fenders and your towed vehicle in place.
With a single axle the pivot for the wheel supports will be directly over the axle.
On a tandem axle the pivot should be directly over the center point between the two axles. This will place the towed vehicle farther forward and create two serious problems. First will be the clearance between the ramps on the wheel support and towed vehicle chassis/frame/body. Second will be on turns such as pulling into a fuel station, entering a grocery store parking lot, etc. Since the front wheels will be farther forward your turn radius will be limited as the fenders can come in contact with towed vehicle's body.
It's a good idea but really unnecessary. If it was practical you'd see a lot more "tandem dolly's on the road. Only ones I've ever seen are on Heavy Haul trailers where they are necessary for the heavy loads that a single axle wouldn't be able to carry the load.
The IDEAL transport device for a TOAD would be the same kind of wheel lift/under-lift that is used by tow trucks from 1-Ton all the way up to the largest Heavy Wreckers. A boom extending from the rear of the chassis with wheel/frame lift adapters that are attached to the boom using a pivot. One less pivot point and you can actually back up without having to unhitch.
With a tandem axle you've really only increased your chance of a flat tire with two more on the road and still have the remaining rear tires on the towed vehicle on the road where one of them could go flat.
I still say the best way to prevent flats is to purchase good tires, inspect before every trip (and during long trips) and use a TPMS.
With a simple nail puncture a tire will usually lose air slow enough so when the TPMS warns you there's plenty of time to find a safe place to pull over (after you slow down to lessen the heating in the tire). If you are using "cheap" tires then the problem is their total failure due to poor quality/construction. THAT is very preventable.
To add:
If I were faced with a tire failure and didn't have a safe place to change it, and couldn't really drive any distance to one, I'd pull over as far as possible, put out my warning triangles (You do carry them don't you?) then call for a "Trooper" to provide safe "cover" while I changed tires. Chances are one will show up anyway.
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