So, This Happened Today
#11
instigator

Join Date: May 2003
Location: Miami, Fla
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why is it Rocket's fault? Rocket doesn't make their axles or frame mounts... they buy them from the same place(s) the rest of the builders too....
#12
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But they cut corners everywhere! Look how far inside the axle the trailer I-beam is mounted, allowing a lot of flex of the exterior axle. They cut more corners than a first year woodshop teacher; meager-engineering vs. over-engineering.
#13
instigator

Join Date: May 2003
Location: Miami, Fla
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actually the frame rails with the bunks on top of them are exactly under the flat of the strakes, where they should be... but you have a valid point that the overall axle width could have been narrower to decrease that *gap* due to the narrower rails... length is fine, beam thickness is fine, overhang is fine..
at least it's not 2_foot_too_short, like most of them down here are built
at least it's not 2_foot_too_short, like most of them down here are built
#15
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This looks like it was one of the first low low budget Rocket trailer builds. They decided to delete the large vertical wood bunks and started mounting thinner wood bunks to the tops of the frame rails. I can see this being better for support. However, this trailer appears to be BEFORE they started going to narrower axles which actually put the fenders almost completely under the hull.
Many, many Sonics were delivered on Rocket trailers, especially in the Mid-Atlantic. This goes back to a strong alliance that Jay had with Armando at Rocket way back in the day.
My Sonic had a Rocket under it. I speak from experience. That trailer was terrible.
Many, many Sonics were delivered on Rocket trailers, especially in the Mid-Atlantic. This goes back to a strong alliance that Jay had with Armando at Rocket way back in the day.
My Sonic had a Rocket under it. I speak from experience. That trailer was terrible.
#16
Ginger or Mary Ann?

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Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Lafayette. IN
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My 1st thought too. Those tri axles really like to twist up when turning. Someone ought to make the 3rd axle a floater, for lack of the correct name. Wheels turn instead of scuffing.
Be thankful is was the last axle and not the 1st!
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Some people are like Slinkies - Not really good for anything, but they
bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs.
#17
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Minnesota
My Boat: 30 Spectre 300X OB's
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Thinking back, I believe I know what started this. In early August, I was coming back from Michigan through Wisconsin on Hwy 29. It's an odd highway in that there are crossing roads. Someone had spilled chunks of concrete all the way across both lanes. I saw it as I was passing a semi and had nowhere to go but over it. The trailer bounced up a bit. I stopped and inspected everything which all looked good, But, I bet this caused stress that led to the welds breaking.
#19
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Many folks and manufactures run LT truck tires on their trailers. (That is what Myco ships on their trailers that are not dually trailers?
Anyone have a rubber comparison on LT vs. ST tires?
Last edited by Sydwayz; 09-16-2012 at 08:16 PM.
#20
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Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: williamsport pa
My Boat: 1990 Jay Ross custom marine aka sonic 30ss
Posts: 346

This looks like it was one of the first low low budget Rocket trailer builds. They decided to delete the large vertical wood bunks and started mounting thinner wood bunks to the tops of the frame rails. I can see this being better for support. However, this trailer appears to be BEFORE they started going to narrower axles which actually put the fenders almost completely under the hull.
Many, many Sonics were delivered on Rocket trailers, especially in the Mid-Atlantic. This goes back to a strong alliance that Jay had with Armando at Rocket way back in the day.
My Sonic had a Rocket under it. I speak from experience. That trailer was terrible.
Many, many Sonics were delivered on Rocket trailers, especially in the Mid-Atlantic. This goes back to a strong alliance that Jay had with Armando at Rocket way back in the day.
My Sonic had a Rocket under it. I speak from experience. That trailer was terrible.
Did rocket ever have any other names my sonic that i bought from kentucky is on a "fast load" and I had the rear axle snap last spring just wondering if there's any connection