Using a Snowmobile Trailer for Spyders

[FREDRUTH]

I have a 2 sled snowmobile trailer that I would like to use to tow 2 Spyders. When the trailer is flipped up, the Spyder will bottom out. I wanted to put them on with one facing forwadr and the other backwards as the Spyder is wider then a sled. Anyone have any ideas on ramps etc. Using a fixed loading ramp would be hard especially when trying to unload in an unfamiliar area. Thanks:doorag:

 

[LittleJohn]

I have a 2 sled snowmobile trailer that I would like to use to tow 2 Spyders. When the trailer is flipped up, the Spyder will bottom out. I wanted to put them on with one facing forwadr and the other backwards as the Spyder is wider then a sled. Anyone have any ideas on ramps etc. Using a fixed loading ramp would be hard especially when trying to unload in an unfamiliar area. Thanks:doorag:

It sounds like you need either an additional folding ramp or other type of ramp for the trailer. The longer it is, making it a less extreme angle, the less likely the Spyder will be to bottom out.

 

[Rokonman]

Have you measured to make sure two SpYders will fit? I would think you may have a problem unless it's a 12' trailer.

 

[NancysToy]

Have you measured to make sure two SpYders will fit? I would think you may have a problem unless it's a 12' trailer.

I doubt you'd make it with a 12' trailer, even if you let the bodywork hang over on both ends. Even then, you would have precious little length to tie down the wheels except straight down, which is not good. I'd say 16' to do it right. Also, be careful of the trailer capacity. You will need a trailer with at least 1,500 pounds load capacity, and for anything further than across town slowly, I would go for substantially more.
-Scotty

 

[FREDRUTH]

Thanks,

Did not measure the trailer...this is a great idea. A 16' will proabaly be needed and can also accomdate the sleds. I was hoping to avoid having 2 separate trailers, but, maybe the time to sell the sled trailer and get one that accomadates both. Thanks to everyone for your advice.

 

[SpyderMark]

Even then, you would have precious little length to tie down the wheels except straight down, which is not good.

You can tie your Spyder down in a remarkably small area if you get creative with your tiedown straps. You'll need the most restraint in the forward direction (vehicles stop MUCH faster than they accelerate). In the USAF, we assumed a required eight Gs of forward restraint -- that's eight times the weight of the object your are tying down. For road hauling, I use three forward Gs and one G for left, right and aft (up takes care of itself, if you hit a bump large enough to lift the machine off the floor of your trailer, you have bigger problems than the tiedown strap size). For the Spyder, I use enough straps to equal 3,000 lbs. If you have straps rated at 500 lbs each, that's at least six straps for forward restraint; three if you use 1,000 lb straps.

For the forward facing machine run a strap around the back side of each front wheel angled inward toward the rear wheel. If you attach each end of the strap to a different tie down point you double its strength -- one 500 lb strap supplies 1,000 lbs of restraint; one 1,000 lb strap supplies 2,000 lbs.

Because the strap is angled, you'll get restraint in both the forward and left/right directions. You lose some restraint capacity as the angle increases from zero, but if you keep the attach points near the rear wheel, you'll retain the majority of the restraint capacity in the forward direction. Therefore, one 1,000 lb strap around the left front wheel with each end attached to a different attach point near the rear wheel yields approx 1,600 lbs of forward restraint, and 1000 lbs of left restraint.

For the aft facing machine, use two straps around the back wheel. Angle them both toward the front wheels, again attaching each end to a different tie down point.

Aft restraint is the opposite for each machine. The forward and aft straps will cross over/under each other, but that does not affect restraint capacity.

Done my way, you provide more than adequate restraint in all directions within the footprint of the machine.

Regards,

Mark

 

[NancysToy]

Nice write-up Mark
-Scotty

 

[FREDRUTH]

Thanks Mark,

Your use of the scientific method is well appreciated! Done your way the Spyders will be certain to arrive at our destination unscathed!