Phoenix and Then Phoenix II - Part 3

Having done the research on electric and gasoline trailer movers, and having tested over the counter vs. home built pullers, it was an easy decision to design and build a trailer mover with the objective of having the puller do the complete job.

In this Series:

PART 1

PART 2

PART 3

PART 4

PART 5

PART 6

PART 7

As usual, for Scott's Garage projects, if the market price for a trailer mover was $1,500, we'll do it for half, or less, using as much metal in the garage as possible. Game on- measurements of the trailer tongue geometry were made, design was completed, vendors selected, and orders placed.

The mover was designed with a tandem chain drive and five wheels for traction requirements. The first photo shows the chassis and handle tacked ready for motor, transmission and axle. On arrival of all the parts, it was discovered that the chief engineer (yeah really- multiple degrees, 11 patents, 32 yrs experience. . . .) mis-read a drive wheel specification in which the existing chassis would not work with. Not acceptable. So, the Team (father, son, refrigerator with beverage encouragement) disassembled the mover, channeled the chassis, made a new adjustable, multi-position handle, and re-positioned the non-drive wheels. Motor, transmission, gearing and axle/wheels were added after this change. See the second slide for this phase. And, because the machine was fully re-made, reborn again, put differently, it was christened the 'Phoenix'.

Control of the Phoenix was the brainchild of the other design Team member; the guy that does complete car suspension bagging, body drops, audio, and misc all-car interiors. Given the challenge, Phoenix was given a motorcycle cockpit with Honda CRF handlebars, Suzuki LTZ quad thumb control of forward/reverse, and Shimano XTR bicycle brake mechanical conversion of the electric trailer brake controller. Okay. See the third attachment. Later the handlebar pad would come into use during initial shakedown.

Phoenix was ready to pull! The fourth slide shows it ready to haul. Cool. During initial pull tests on the Dico MX trailer, the gearing of Phoenix was determined to be too high, i.e. too fast at just above a walking speed. And, just to make sure everyone was paying attention, mechanical actuation of the forward/reverse switch fouled, driving Phoenix into a block wall pulling the small trailer, nearly pinning the senior designer between the handlebars and wall. Ummm, Phoenix needs a fix!

Enter Phoenix II. A new transmission was procured and installed, a new forward/reverse switch installed, and a safety 'kill' switch installed. Previously, if a switch failed, the only way to interrupt power was to pull the plug. That wouldn't be airworthy for Phoenix II.

Phoenix II was supposed to pull the trailer out, and push the trailer back into position unassisted. Ideally, one person and a spotter were to have been all that necessary. I had estimated that the complete process might take 20 minutes. This objective wasn't 100% met for a couple of reasons; next installment expands on new challenges.

by: Glenn Thompson