The failure of a leaf spring on a boat trailer can have disastrous consequences when you’re going down the road, usually at high speeds. When a leaf spring fails, there is no longer anything to hold the weight off the spinning tire.
As a result of the unpredictable snapping of a spring blade, the weight of the trailer falls onto the tire, setting off a chain reaction that can ruin the tire and damage the trailer (and perhaps the boat) by allowing the axle to twist.
There’s no way to predict exactly how bad such a mishap may be. But clearly there is potential for a major accident involving your tow vehicle and surrounding vehicles.
Enter RMD.
Now Research Machine Development (RMD) of Santa Clara, CA, has introduced a safety device to eliminate the potentially deadly consequences of leaf spring failures on boat trailers.
RMD’s Trailer Safety Device is entirely American made, and it uses a small air bag to counteract the effect of a spring failure.
The product is simple but effective. It keeps the axle perpendicular to the frame, eliminating its tendency to twist when a spring breaks.
The tire does not come into contact with the frame because the small air bag, inflated instantly upon spring failure, lifts the trailer frame to a normal operating height, permitting you to continue to a safe location for repairs. Passive when not in use, the Trailer Safety Device operates only when a leaf spring breaks.
I spoke with RMD’s George Yonekura, inventor and developer of the device via e-mail and asked him the obvious question: Can this device be used on travel trailers, toy haulers, pop-up campers and similar units.
“… we are presently not set up to manufacture the device for anything other than boat trailers. It is our goal in the future to be able to equip any trailer, be it RV, boat or utility, with our device.”
The Trailer Safety Device installs easily and quickly on most boat trailers. According to George, the placement of the brake line on some trailers requires moving the line slightly.
If you visit RMD online, you can watch a video interview with George and see an animated demonstration of how the product works. Or you can call the company at 408/988-1785.
Previous: Travel collecting
Next: Travel traditions
Like what you are reading? Get our latest articles via e-mail every week!
No information will be given to outside parties. Unsubscribe
Article Comments
Leave a Reply