What model? FORD E-350 w/ V10 and a 373 rear end.
A diesel with a 410 rear end is better. The V10 is 6 MPG towing the boat but 14 alone on the highway. I understand the diesel is more like 12 mpg all the time and a $5,000.00 premium over the V10. If I was doing it again I would probably use a F350 (1 ton rated) extended cab pick-up because it has a higher towing and overall load rating than the Van does. And I think more use on a day to day basis.
What transmission? Automatic - Not in Overdrive when towing.
It MUST have the heavy duty Towing Package Transmission Cooler. This is a Factory Installed option not aftermarket.
Any comments on a 3 axle trailer compared with a 2 axle? Since I have never driven a 2 axle trailer I cannot compare. I know that the Triad trailer I am looking to purchase for my J/30, Defiant, has two.
The co-owner of Circus has this to say: I like three axles just because of the blown tire issue and no wandering but 2 are ok.>
How did you like the "performance trailer" trailer? I would not use performance again unless you get them to do the changes we did for ourselves.
You need an axle with 10,000 Lbs ratings and brakes on at least two of the axles. We have surge brakes which I do like but the new electric breaks with the trailer mounted battery for broken hitch protection are good as well.
The Tire Wear issue is because of the underrated axles that allow flex on the road. Once we upgrade the axles we should not have that issue.
The Performance trailer was designed to have the weight centered over the middle axle but that makes the boat too tall so we put in a keel box to lower it. That put the weight too far forward and caused flex and tire wear.
In addition you need to watch the brake ratings because they need to be on all axles bearing the rating weight. If you have 3 - 5,000# rated axles and a 10,000# trailer rating you need brakes on 2 of the axles to be legal not on just one with a 10,000 # power unit driving it. The same applies to electric brakes as I understand it.
Larger axles are a minor cost in the trailer as we are finding out but a pain to change later.
[This message has been edited by Bernie Kucharski (edited 12-01-2004).]
[This message has been edited by Bernie Kucharski (edited 12-01-2004).]
