Moving Trailer with Forklift?

Aug 1, 2011
3,972
Catalina 270 255 Wabamun. Welcome to the marina
I could take my single axle Mac through the proverbial drive-through. You have to consider where you're going with the Cat. Yes, the turning circle is bigger, but only because I like my tires, and wheel bearings. That requires thinking about where you're going in a little more depth, so you don't get caught.
 
Aug 1, 2011
3,972
Catalina 270 255 Wabamun. Welcome to the marina
But I will add this; there was a LOT of doom and gloom conversation when this mod was being considered, the original setup was a very poorly designed two axle installation. Three has provided a very, very significant increase in ride quality. I've inadvertently left stuff in the cabin and that stuff was right where it was left 100 miles later. Also, there's a degree of comfort in knowing that at 11,000-odd lbs, three 6k axles are not at their loaded capacity so we can blow a tire or wheel bearing in the middle of nowhere and not be sidelined.
People said that three axles wouldn't go around a corner, and increased tire wear (that doesn't make any sense) and on and on. What I see is 6 brakes, the controller is down at 2 from 6 on a scale of 10, rides way better, tracks like it's not even there, and is a pleasure with shiny wheels to drive down the road.
 
Jul 30, 2019
216
Seaward 25 777 Fort St. James
One proviso on triple axle trailers: Braking in an emergency where you also are attempting to steer.

The 6 brakes when actuated hard stop the trailer from steering. The trailer carries on straight and does its very best to take the towed vehicle with it. This effect is evidently greater with increased towed weight, and is especially dependent upon the difference in mass between the towed weight and that of the towing vehicle. Add in any slipperiness of the road surface, like loose gravel, surface water, ice or oil and you have a potential liability. Yes, twin axle trailers also are subject to this, but to a lesser extent, and by definition triple axle trailers will likely be carrying a greater relative load.

I have seen this scenario on only a small number of occasions. But then again triple axle trailers are not very common. The careful and experienced driver who anticipates potential trouble ahead will be fine. But, be aware that there is an increased risk and greater caution required.
 
Jun 4, 2019
17
Catalina, Newport Catalina 22, Newport 17 Landlocked in NE PA
we use forklifts to move trailers where I work all the time... but we just have a hole drilled through one fork and out the ball in there.
 
Mar 2, 2019
507
Oday 25 Milwaukee
One more thing .
Depending on how your trailer brakes are configured ,you may have to supply 12 volts to a solenoids when backing up a trailer with surge brakes . Other wise you will be fighting a losing batttle with the trailer . Been there ,done that .
 
Aug 1, 2011
3,972
Catalina 270 255 Wabamun. Welcome to the marina
One more thing .
Depending on how your trailer brakes are configured ,you may have to supply 12 volts to a solenoids when backing up a trailer with surge brakes . Other wise you will be fighting a losing batttle with the trailer . Been there ,done that .
Surge brakes should be illegal. They are dangerous.
 
Jul 30, 2019
216
Seaward 25 777 Fort St. James
Surge brakes should be illegal. They are dangerous.
I think that is a baseless statement. The same might be said of electric brakes, with equal validity. Both varieties must be well maintained and used with intelligence.

To go back a post or two where you stated that the idea that 3 axles increase tyre wear does not make sense, I am afraid that yet again I must disagree. A trailer with more than one axle will exhibit scuffing, since the wheels are in line and yet are being dragged sideways by the towing vehicle when it steers off that straight line, all but one pivoting axle at any given moment. If you have ever seen one of the mega-loads being moved along highways by trailers with multiple axles, you will have noted that those axles all steer. Otherwise all except one pivoting axle at any given moment would be being dragged laterally. This scuffing happens with a dual axle trailer too, but not as much as with a triple.
 
Sep 24, 2018
3,066
Catalina 30 MKIII Chicago
To go back a post or two where you stated that the idea that 3 axles increase tyre wear does not make sense, I am afraid that yet again I must disagree. A trailer with more than one axle will exhibit scuffing, since the wheels are in line and yet are being dragged sideways by the towing vehicle when it steers off that straight line, all but one pivoting axle at any given moment. If you have ever seen one of the mega-loads being moved along highways by trailers with multiple axles, you will have noted that those axles all steer. Otherwise all except one pivoting axle at any given moment would be being dragged laterally. This scuffing happens with a dual axle trailer too, but not as much as with a triple.
:plus:
 

PaulK

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Dec 1, 2009
1,313
Sabre 402 Southport, CT
With a hefty enough forklift you should be able to lift the entire trailer with the boat on it. New stone forklift wheel loader for sale from manufacturer 20 tons XJ968-20D