Yesterday, as we
were trailering two horses to our favorite conditioning trail, a very dangerous
thing happened, my R rear tire and rim broke loose from the wheel-studs on my
trailer; cracked through and broke off!
Providentially, we
were in a highway work- zone when it happened and a very alert eighteen wheeler
who was in the right lane slightly behind us saw what was happening and allowed
me to move over and in front of him and across to an exit ramp before the wheel
rolled off the trailer and to a grassy side of the exit ramp! We
picked up the tire and pulled into a wonderful travel center where we had all
the conveniences to make our plight most bearable until we were rescued by one
of our husbands and another trailer to take our critters back home safely
while I pulled our injured, empty trailer home on 3
wheels. The longer distant this event becomes, the more evident the
horrible possibilities become to me. I know my God is good and I don't deserve
it!
I have a 95'
Kieffer Built Golden Eagle 3HS. It has proven to be a very good trailer except
in this one problem area. I have had two flats that we can remember on this same
wheel in the past and both times the tire has shredded off the rim because of
the impact/damage done by the pothole. In retrospect and analysis of this most
recent event, it makes sense that the wheel studs that hold the rim in place had
too much metal stress to continue holding the rim and tire on this trailer.
Further evaluation shows this trailer to not have any suspension system i.e.,
steel suspension struts, or anything except the tires it rides on to
cushion impact. The axles are welded directly to the steel
frame.
My questions to
the group is: 1- What kind of suspension system do your trailers have to cushion
impact? and
2- Should I get an after market suspension system installed on this trailer?
or
3- Should I buy
another trailer? or
4- Should I leave
the trailer the way it is and just be aware of the potential for this to occur
again.
I value this
group's vast experience and knowledge of such things and welcome your opinions.
The safety of my beloved horses depends on your
recommendations.
In His Hands,
Susan, Fly Bye & Dandy
"All you have to
decide is what to do with the time that is given you."
-Gandalf the Grey from Lord of the Rings
