Ron in Atlanta Posted July 25, 2016 Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 I've recently gone from a single axel to a twin axel trailer (both AmeraTrail) as I sold the 2000V and purchased a 2200 TRS. Here's the question, is it my imagination or does the twin axel trailer NOT FOLLOW THE TRUCK AS WELL AS THE SINGLE?? The old boat and trailer stayed right in my tracks on right and left turns. It seems that the new trailer is "cutting the corners", i.e., not following behind me. I have to swing much wider on turns, especially right turns. Is it just me or is this what twins axel trailers do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imsnookyrd Posted July 25, 2016 Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 Mine is the same but I think it is more a question of distance between hitch and axle. The single axle that came with mine ( not Ameratrail ) did the same as this tandem Ameratrail I have now. Probably the longer boat that mandates axle placement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fin-addict Posted July 25, 2016 Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 1 hour ago, Ron in Atlanta said: I've recently gone from a single axel to a twin axel trailer (both AmeraTrail) as I sold the 2000V and purchased a 2200 TRS. Here's the question, is it my imagination or does the twin axel trailer NOT FOLLOW THE TRUCK AS WELL AS THE SINGLE?? The old boat and trailer stayed right in my tracks on right and left turns. It seems that the new trailer is "cutting the corners", i.e., not following behind me. I have to swing much wider on turns, especially right turns. Is it just me or is this what twins axel trailers do? I felt the same way going from single to tandem, wider turns. thought it might be the pivot point of the tires on the single if you know what I mean that allowed for tighter turns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mulligan Posted July 25, 2016 Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 Along with the longer the wheelbase the wider the turn you have to remember that when you have multiple axles the trailer wants to track straight. When you turn with multiple axles the tires tend to skid through a tight turn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishmanjj Posted July 25, 2016 Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 Hey Ron, are you pulling your new PF 2200TRS with the Corvette ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grant Posted July 25, 2016 Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 As Mulligan stated, two tires on a tandem axle trailer will actually skid sideways through a turn. We are actually dragging the trailer through a tight turn. The rear of the trailer can't swing around as quickly as a single axle. It makes sense that you have to turn a little wider. It is also what keeps the trailer tracking straight at high speeds. Of course the longer total wheelbase will affect your turn radius as well. I made the switch from a single to tandem 2 years ago. I instantly regretted not doing it sooner on it's very first trip. For me the highway safety more than makes up for the differences in maneuverability, but very little of my trailering is less than 120 miles one way, and most is at high speed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smooth move Posted July 25, 2016 Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 the only reason i have a 2 axle trailer is for flats. if you have a flat on a single axle, you're immediately down. on a twin, you can keep on going untill you reach a safe place to change. a single axle tows much easier and is better on gas. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustang190 Posted July 27, 2016 Report Share Posted July 27, 2016 Tandem axels are more for the weight load and stability. No need for a tandem axle with a light boat or a smaller one (less than 19'). And yes they do turn wider than a single axle. If you think your Ameritrail turns wide try pulling a 48' spread axle! lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobbi B. Posted November 7, 2019 Report Share Posted November 7, 2019 I just bought a 2019 2200 TRS and have to drive it from Florida to Texas. It is set up with a VF200LA Yamaha on a jack plate. Should I support the engine in any special way for the trip? Or just have the engine in the full down position? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Headhunter Posted November 9, 2019 Report Share Posted November 9, 2019 I would for sure. The VF doesn’t have a tilt lock on it to start and that’s a big lever sitting on the jack plate. I have the old school bar type that goes from the rear trailer roller to the lower unit. There are others out there but this one has worked for me for years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoneyB Posted November 9, 2019 Report Share Posted November 9, 2019 I tow mine motor down jack plate up. Not to say it’s correct but my though is no bouncing on the trim cylinders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bamaskeet Posted November 11, 2019 Report Share Posted November 11, 2019 Yes you need to support your engine while towing. Something as simple as a 2X4 will work. My Wedge and Motormate are two more elegant solutions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustang190 Posted November 12, 2019 Report Share Posted November 12, 2019 I tow mine with the jack plate set to between 2 1/2 and the 3inch setting. Don't laugh but, I set a piece of 2x4 between the motor and the bracket and drop the motor all the way down. I did use one of those tilt things that go over the trim actuators but id caused the actuators to leak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron in Atlanta Posted November 12, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2019 12 hours ago, mustang190 said: one of those tilt things that go over the trim actuators but id caused the actuators to leak I've used the "My Wedge" to hold up the motor in a tilt position while towing for years on both the 115 Yamaha on the Pathfinder 20 footer and the Yamaha 150 on the 2200 TRS. Since I live near Atlanta, I do many long tows to salt water, e.g., the Everglades NP, GA Coast, Gulf Coast of FL. etc. Never had a problem with trim actuator leakage. It is important to use the MY Wedge ON THE PORT SIDE ACTUATOR. There is a grease fitting on the starboard side which may have caused your leakage problem (I understand that age can also cause that problem😊). Just one warning about the MY Wedge. Here is what it looks like... it's about 9 inches long. I ordered it online and when the package was delivered and I was unwrapping it, Laurie took one look and ran out the back door! 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smilemaker Posted November 13, 2019 Report Share Posted November 13, 2019 Depending on height it is always better to keep the jack plate down. Sunday I passed a boat being towed with the jack plate up and the motor tilted and the amount of flex at the plate was astronomical. Almost looked like it was ready to snap.If there had been a safe place for him to pull over I would have flagged him down Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bernieNC Posted November 13, 2019 Report Share Posted November 13, 2019 Read your manuals guys! Last line of the Atlas manual clearly states: (below is a direct copy and paste) 6. Always trailer with the jackplate in the lowest “down” position! Yamaha sells the My-wedge relabeled. I would say that is an endorsement. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanaflatsfish Posted November 13, 2019 Report Share Posted November 13, 2019 7 hours ago, bernieNC said: Read your manuals guys! Last line of the Atlas manual clearly states: (below is a direct copy and paste) 6. Always trailer with the jackplate in the lowest “down” position! Yamaha sells the My-wedge relabeled. I would say that is an endorsement. Been using one since they first came out .... dc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D-linesider Posted November 13, 2019 Report Share Posted November 13, 2019 10 hours ago, bernieNC said: Read your manuals guys! Last line of the Atlas manual clearly states: (below is a direct copy and paste) 6. Always trailer with the jackplate in the lowest “down” position! Yamaha sells the My-wedge relabeled. I would say that is an endorsement. I also use this my wedge but with the weight of my F-250 the plastic keeps splitting. I have had to resort to using two, one on each ram. Problem solved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smilemaker Posted November 13, 2019 Report Share Posted November 13, 2019 Can't remember the name but I use a similar product but it fits on both rams and has an adjustable cross member at the top. The top has worn to the shape of the motor but no breakage. I feel better with the weight on both cylinders. It came from bass pro. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geeviam Posted November 13, 2019 Report Share Posted November 13, 2019 On 11/9/2019 at 9:38 AM, HoneyB said: I tow mine motor down jack plate up. Not to say it’s correct but my though is no bouncing on the trim cylinders. I thought about doing it that way too, but like BernieNC said, the Atlas JP manual specifies to tow with it all the way down. The problem is some jack plate installations don't allow enough clearance for the hydraulic steering when JP is down and the motor is tilted. Mine is ok because I've got enough setback for the steering to clear the transom, so I use a MotorMate and drop the JP all the way down. But if I couldn't, I thought about cutting a M-Y Wedge Universal down to the right length with a hacksaw, to place on the JP cylinder ram, to drop the JP down until it touches, to keep the entire weight of the motor/JP combo from bouncing on the JP actuator. Just an idea. https://www.amazon.com/M-Y-Wedge-universal-support-engines/dp/B07D1BBWL9/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=m-y+wedge&qid=1573660203&sr=8-2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smilemaker Posted November 13, 2019 Report Share Posted November 13, 2019 On pre2007 2200TE you can not trim real high with jack plate down. I raise the JP, trim up and place my wedge and lower the trim. Once it is on the wedge I can lower the jp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunstone Posted November 13, 2019 Report Share Posted November 13, 2019 My last 2 boats I run with the motor just down to the power pistons jack plate half up. Been doing it since 2005 with no problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laid Back Posted November 18, 2019 Report Share Posted November 18, 2019 On 11/13/2019 at 8:39 AM, D-linesider said: I also use this my wedge but with the weight of my F-250 the plastic keeps splitting. I have had to resort to using two, one on each ram. Problem solved. Take the sleeve (pvc pipe) off and saw off about an inch. This will keep it from cracking as easily. If you put one on the starboard side it will crack the grease fitting. On my VF250LA the dealer cracked it towing it home from the boat show. I had them switch the tilt/trim switch from the starboard side of the cowling to the port side to reduce the urge of placing it on the wrong side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D-linesider Posted November 18, 2019 Report Share Posted November 18, 2019 18 hours ago, Laid Back said: Take the sleeve (pvc pipe) off and saw off about an inch. This will keep it from cracking as easily. If you put one on the starboard side it will crack the grease fitting. On my VF250LA the dealer cracked it towing it home from the boat show. I had them switch the tilt/trim switch from the starboard side of the cowling to the port side to reduce the urge of placing it on the wrong side. My buddy has a 250 SHO and you are correct it will hit the grease fitting oh his motor. Mine is an older F250 25” shaft and it isn’t even close to the fitting on my motor. I like your work around on the cracking PVC, I am going to give that a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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