tips for a smooth trailer ride

TheShanMan

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I have a utility trailer that I use for picking up games (among many other uses), but with the potential prospect of hauling a game long distance, I'm more concerned than usual with how to make the ride as easy on the game(s) as possible.

Assuming it is just one game, it would be lying on its back. And though I haven't done it for short trips, I'd plan on pulling the boards + wiring so connectors and what not don't have to suffer through the bouncing/vibration.

Beyond that, any suggestions on making it as easy on the cab as possible? My trailer does have suspension but it's certainly not the greatest. I'm thinking maybe lay down a sheet of closed cell foam. Would that be worthwhile? Other ideas?
 
Maybe find an old mattress to lay down in there. People are throwing them away all the time. Just take a nicer looking one and put an old sheet over it, lay that down in your trailer then put the game on it...strap it down if necessary so it doesn't bounce all over the place...that might help cushion some of the vibration.
 
I think you're likely over thinking this. The games will be fine. Just make sure to bring a tarp just in case of rain.
 
I've hauled from LA to Reno with a U-haul trailer and didn't pull anything. I didn't lay any on their backs though. I would personally check for anything loose and maybe pull the monitor depending on how well it is mounted and if I have tools to tighten it up with me. I kindof feel that these things survived 30+ years of moving from location to location and having kids abuse them. A little road trip usually could never hurt.
 
I pull neck boards usually and make sure all the bezels/marquees are secure.

Tape the coin door is there is no look..so I dont hear the clang clang noise the whole trip

Lots of ratchet straps and a tarp.. and hope there is no rain!!
 
Well, I just hauled a bunch of games 60 miles, 2 trips, on their backs, in a utility trailer without a problem.
Along with the advice above, I'd use shrink wrap available at the hardware store if they were mine.
Dave
 
i just hauled a cab back from Bellingham on Monday and took a scenic side-trip on the Mountain Loop Highway (which upped the total to about 250 miles.) 15+ miles of unpaved NFS road with the cab on it's back in my Astro and it survived with no problems. i just made sure that everything was secure before i loaded it and double-checked connections when i pulled it out of the van, but those are steps i would take regardless of my route home.
 
I have a 12' enclosed trailer, and haul games on their backs, 2 at a time, side by side. Never had an issue yet. Make sure there is nothing else in the trailer that might become airborne during braking (or high speed pursuits).

Connectors get loose no later how you haul machines. It's always a good idea to open the rear door and give everything a good eyeball inspection once you get them unloaded, anyway.

Here's one last thing to consider. Just think of how the operators handled these machines for the decade before you got them. 99% of them were not handled with kid gloves. They were beat, bounced, slammed, jiggled, jarred, and served as a home for mice. Nothing you can do with your trailer is going to affect them much.
 
I hear what you're saying about how they were treated in the past, but they also weren't ~30 years old at the time. I do want to be more careful than operators probably were. Plus when transporting them hundreds of miles I'd rather do more than necessary instead of doing less (and possibly regret it).

So perhaps a sheet of closed cell foam is overkill, as is removing any boards that are mounted firmly. I do think removing wiring harnesses is a good idea though WRT the solder joints of the connectors (and anything else that is loose).

Anyone think that's NOT enough for a trailer that doesn't have a very soft ride?
 
+1 Over thinking this for sure. Do you think NAVL or any of those types do anything special to move a game? Pallet, cardboard, saran wrap and on the truck it goes.
 
Understood (and point taken), but I'm sure their trucks have better suspension than my trailer. I'd rather over think it and have no problem than under think it and cause some kind of failure, but by asking I don't have to over think or under think :).

Thanks for the input btw.
 
Deadly makes a good point. Go out and buy a roll of shrink-wrap. That will ensure no issues with moisture. Make sure to lay the shrink wrap down first, then put the cab on top of it to start.... then end at the bottom again. That way if it does rain, everything is protected...from the top to the bottom (and underside).
 
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