From there , English discovered that for maximum shock absorption , the load line needed to stop between the ball and the axles and required a large range of motion in the threeaxis system . A triangular shape , made from the ball and coupler attachment , the hinges below and the air cushion bags , offers a huge range of motion and a lot of different opportunities .
English found in testing that with a fixed-neck trailer , the truck and deck will squat forward in an unsafe position . This allowed him to conclude that if you can make your deck line level , you will have longer lasting tires , faster braking and an impossibly smooth ride .
According to English , the trailer is two to three times more rugged than a fixed-neck , incredibly reliable and delivers everything you need . He also believes the deck leveling and braking performance is phenomenal .
“ When we looked at it , we found the braking to be a top feature of the product ,” explained English . “ When you hit the brakes with a payload on the back of a FloatRide Air Cushion Neck trailer , the airbags compress anywhere from one to four inches , the deck dives down and the gooseneck hitch shifts weight onto the front axle of the trailer . In a pickup or car , most of the stopping power is done with the front brakes . This is the same effect , but in a much larger vehicle . It ’ s one of our top features .”
All FloatRide Trailers ’ parts are readily available at any Class-8 truck supply or dealership and easy to switch out with basic tools .
Initially , the trailers ’ shock absorbers were spread across different places , but simple maintenance was an important selling point .
A friend once told English that he had essentially now created two categories of trailers – a fixed gooseneck and an air cushioned neck .
“ I guess I have ,” admitted English . “ Goosenecks are wonderful tools . I don ’ t think the economy could work without them . What frustrated me , though , was that the gooseneck came out over 50 years ago and basically still has the same design today . I ’ ve seen companies making the same goosenecks - with minor improvements - but the same geometric structure ; it has not changed . We felt that change was sorely needed . In fact , we believe this may be the last trailer many people ever buy .”
While many of those people will purchase from the ranks of FloatRide Trailers ’ current dealer network along Interstate 40 , English is hoping to expand his connections through this year ’ s NATDA Trailer Show .
“ It ’ s going to be our ‘ coming out party ,’ shared English . “ We ’ re excited for everyone to see it .”
After decades of frustrating , unreliable trailers , English redesigned the gooseneck into a sturdier , smoother version than the industry has ever seen .
It may just be the last trailer you ever buy .
www . natda . org NATDA Magazine 41