GB2070535A - Two-wheel trailers - Google Patents

Two-wheel trailers Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2070535A
GB2070535A GB8103476A GB8103476A GB2070535A GB 2070535 A GB2070535 A GB 2070535A GB 8103476 A GB8103476 A GB 8103476A GB 8103476 A GB8103476 A GB 8103476A GB 2070535 A GB2070535 A GB 2070535A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
trailer
wheels
axes
wheel
spaced
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB8103476A
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GB2070535B (en
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB8103476A priority Critical patent/GB2070535B/en
Publication of GB2070535A publication Critical patent/GB2070535A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2070535B publication Critical patent/GB2070535B/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D61/00—Motor vehicles or trailers, characterised by the arrangement or number of wheels, not otherwise provided for, e.g. four wheels in diamond pattern
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D53/00—Tractor-trailer combinations; Road trains
    • B62D53/04—Tractor-trailer combinations; Road trains comprising a vehicle carrying an essential part of the other vehicle's load by having supporting means for the front or rear part of the other vehicle
    • B62D53/08—Fifth wheel traction couplings
    • B62D53/0871—Fifth wheel traction couplings with stabilising means, e.g. to prevent jack-knifing, pitching, rolling, buck jumping
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D63/00—Motor vehicles or trailers not otherwise provided for
    • B62D63/06—Trailers

Abstract

In a two-wheel trailer such as a caravan having a towing hitch 4 on a longitudinal trailer axis 8 for connecting to a towing vehicle and two wheels 6, one on each side of the longitudinal axis, the wheels are mounted on separate but parallel axes 12 spaced in the longitudinal trailer direction. Only two wheels are provided which are arranged assymetrically in this way to provide a trailer having a reduced tendency to yaw. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Two-wheel trailers Field of Invention The invention relates to two-wheel trailers for being towed for example behind a car. The trailers may be load carrying trailers or caravans.
Background of the Invention Two-wheel trailers may swing to and fro when towed behind cars at speed. The motion is often referred to as "yawing". The yawing can lead to instability of the car-trailer combination, particularly under adverse circumstances such as when braking.
Trailers are known which have four wheels mounted on two parallel axes. These trailers have a reduced tendency to yaw, but are a great deal more expensive than two-wheel trailers.
It is an object of the invention to provide a twowheel trailer which has a reduced tendency to yaw and which can be constructed economically.
Summary of Invention According to the invention there is provided a two-wheel trailer having a towing hitch on a longitudinal trailer axis for connecting to a towing vehicle and two wheels, one on each side of the longitudinal axis, in which the wheels are mounted on separate but parallel axes spaced in the longitudinal trailer direction.
The wheels of the trailer are thus arranged asymmetrically. Only two wheels support the trailer when it is towed, although legs or other support wheels may be lowered to hold the trailer level when it is disconnected from the towing vehicle and the trailer is stationary.
Preferably the wheels are supported by stub shafts secured to the side of a trailer frame. By using this arrangement the trailer according to the invention is similar in cost to conventional twowheel trailers.
Advantageously the axes of the wheels are spaced by at least one half of the outside wheel radius.
Preferably the axes of the wheels are spaced by no more than the length of the trailer body (i.e.
excluding tow bar length).
Suitably the axes are spaced by from one to two times the wheel radius.
Conveniently the axes are located in proximity to one another near the middle of the trailer. In this way the trailer can still be manhandled into a desired position and turned when it is disconnected from the towing vehicle.
Suitably the axes are located spaced forwardly and rearwardly respectively of the trailer centre of gravity. The trailer construction is particularly suitable for caravans which are sensitive to side winds and are frequently towed by light vehicles which do not sufficiently restrict the yawing motion.
Surprisingly, in spite of the fact that only two wheels are used, the trailer construction greatly improves the yaw stability of two-wheeled trailers.
Drawings Figure 1 shows schematically a conventional two-wheei trailer; and Figure 2 shows schematically a two-wheel trailer according to the invention.
Specific Description With reference to Figure 1, a conventional twowheel trailer 2 has a hitch point at 4, and a wheel 6 on each side of the trailer on either side of a centre of gravity 7 lying on the longitudinal axis 8 of the trailer 2. The trailer is connected to a towing vehicle 10 at the hitch point 4.
With reference to Figure 2, the constituent elements of the trailer are the same as for a conventional trailer as shown with reference to Figure 1. However in a trailer according to the invention, the wheels 6 are spaced in a longitudinal direction so that the axes of the respective wheels 6 are no longer coincident but are separate and parallel. The centre of gravity 7 is arranged between the axes 1 2 of the respective wheels 6. The wheels 6 are arranged on the sides of the trailer 2 and the wheel axes 12 are arranged in proximity to one another. The wheels 6 are arranged on the sides of a trailer frame (not shown).
In use when the trailer, whether in the form of a load carrying trailer or a caravan, is connected to the towing vehicle 10, the longitudinal spacing of the wheel axes improves the yaw stability.
1. A two-wheel trailer having a towing hitch on a longitudinal trailer axis for connecting to a towing vehicle and two wheels, one on each side of the longitudinal axis, in which the wheels are mounted on separate but parallel axes spaced in the longitudinal trailer brection.
2. A trailer according to claim 1 in which the wheels are supported by stub shafts secured to the sides of a trailer frame.
3. A trailer according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the axes of the wheels are spaced by at least one half of the outside wheel radius.
4. A trailer according to any one of the preceding claims in which the axes of the wheels are spaced by no more than the length of the trailer body (i.e. excluding tow bar length).
5. A trailer according to claim 4 in which the axes are spaced by from one to two times the wheel radius.
6. A trailer according to any one of the preceding claims in which the axes are located in proximity to one another near the middle of the trailer.
7. A trailer according to any one of the preceding claims in which the axes are located spaced forwardly and rearwardly respectively of the trailer centre of gravity.
8. A trailer according to claim 7 in which the centre of gravity is located substantially on a line inter-connecting the wheel centres or
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (10)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Two-wheel trailers Field of Invention The invention relates to two-wheel trailers for being towed for example behind a car. The trailers may be load carrying trailers or caravans. Background of the Invention Two-wheel trailers may swing to and fro when towed behind cars at speed. The motion is often referred to as "yawing". The yawing can lead to instability of the car-trailer combination, particularly under adverse circumstances such as when braking. Trailers are known which have four wheels mounted on two parallel axes. These trailers have a reduced tendency to yaw, but are a great deal more expensive than two-wheel trailers. It is an object of the invention to provide a twowheel trailer which has a reduced tendency to yaw and which can be constructed economically. Summary of Invention According to the invention there is provided a two-wheel trailer having a towing hitch on a longitudinal trailer axis for connecting to a towing vehicle and two wheels, one on each side of the longitudinal axis, in which the wheels are mounted on separate but parallel axes spaced in the longitudinal trailer direction. The wheels of the trailer are thus arranged asymmetrically. Only two wheels support the trailer when it is towed, although legs or other support wheels may be lowered to hold the trailer level when it is disconnected from the towing vehicle and the trailer is stationary. Preferably the wheels are supported by stub shafts secured to the side of a trailer frame. By using this arrangement the trailer according to the invention is similar in cost to conventional twowheel trailers. Advantageously the axes of the wheels are spaced by at least one half of the outside wheel radius. Preferably the axes of the wheels are spaced by no more than the length of the trailer body (i.e. excluding tow bar length). Suitably the axes are spaced by from one to two times the wheel radius. Conveniently the axes are located in proximity to one another near the middle of the trailer. In this way the trailer can still be manhandled into a desired position and turned when it is disconnected from the towing vehicle. Suitably the axes are located spaced forwardly and rearwardly respectively of the trailer centre of gravity. The trailer construction is particularly suitable for caravans which are sensitive to side winds and are frequently towed by light vehicles which do not sufficiently restrict the yawing motion. Surprisingly, in spite of the fact that only two wheels are used, the trailer construction greatly improves the yaw stability of two-wheeled trailers. Drawings Figure 1 shows schematically a conventional two-wheei trailer; and Figure 2 shows schematically a two-wheel trailer according to the invention. Specific Description With reference to Figure 1, a conventional twowheel trailer 2 has a hitch point at 4, and a wheel 6 on each side of the trailer on either side of a centre of gravity 7 lying on the longitudinal axis 8 of the trailer 2. The trailer is connected to a towing vehicle 10 at the hitch point 4. With reference to Figure 2, the constituent elements of the trailer are the same as for a conventional trailer as shown with reference to Figure 1. However in a trailer according to the invention, the wheels 6 are spaced in a longitudinal direction so that the axes of the respective wheels 6 are no longer coincident but are separate and parallel. The centre of gravity 7 is arranged between the axes 1 2 of the respective wheels 6. The wheels 6 are arranged on the sides of the trailer 2 and the wheel axes 12 are arranged in proximity to one another. The wheels 6 are arranged on the sides of a trailer frame (not shown). In use when the trailer, whether in the form of a load carrying trailer or a caravan, is connected to the towing vehicle 10, the longitudinal spacing of the wheel axes improves the yaw stability. CLAIMS
1. A two-wheel trailer having a towing hitch on a longitudinal trailer axis for connecting to a towing vehicle and two wheels, one on each side of the longitudinal axis, in which the wheels are mounted on separate but parallel axes spaced in the longitudinal trailer brection.
2. A trailer according to claim 1 in which the wheels are supported by stub shafts secured to the sides of a trailer frame.
3. A trailer according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the axes of the wheels are spaced by at least one half of the outside wheel radius.
4. A trailer according to any one of the preceding claims in which the axes of the wheels are spaced by no more than the length of the trailer body (i.e. excluding tow bar length).
5. A trailer according to claim 4 in which the axes are spaced by from one to two times the wheel radius.
6. A trailer according to any one of the preceding claims in which the axes are located in proximity to one another near the middle of the trailer.
7. A trailer according to any one of the preceding claims in which the axes are located spaced forwardly and rearwardly respectively of the trailer centre of gravity.
8. A trailer according to claim 7 in which the centre of gravity is located substantially on a line inter-connecting the wheel centres or substantially vertically above the inter-connecting line when the trailer is level.
9. A trailer substantially as shown in and as described with reference to the drawings.
10. A caravan according to any of the preceding claims.
GB8103476A 1980-02-19 1981-02-04 Two-wheel trailers Expired GB2070535B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8103476A GB2070535B (en) 1980-02-19 1981-02-04 Two-wheel trailers

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8005475 1980-02-19
GB8103476A GB2070535B (en) 1980-02-19 1981-02-04 Two-wheel trailers

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB2070535A true GB2070535A (en) 1981-09-09
GB2070535B GB2070535B (en) 1983-10-12

Family

ID=26274545

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB8103476A Expired GB2070535B (en) 1980-02-19 1981-02-04 Two-wheel trailers

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2070535B (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2805794A1 (en) * 2000-03-06 2001-09-07 Julien Jaume Trailer with single two wheeled axle located halfway along trailer has wheel and shaft fixing points at vertices of scalene triangle

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2805794A1 (en) * 2000-03-06 2001-09-07 Julien Jaume Trailer with single two wheeled axle located halfway along trailer has wheel and shaft fixing points at vertices of scalene triangle

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2070535B (en) 1983-10-12

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee