Serpent Express West Coast

Maiden Test Run 7/3/04

Some details:

Side clearance

Removable fender (pull clevis pin)

Rear deck height when hooked to Explorer with 4" drop hitch.

Note tail lights built into rear of frame.

Rear tie-down directly to bar for loading.

Optional Flush Rear Tie Downs:

Front tie-down fixed 24" chains to frame eye.

Went to NASCAR scales in Tucson Nov 12, 2004 at Mike Treece's place:

Serpent Express Model SE-14DA with enclosed top: 1860 lbs

FFR roadster #3850 with 1/2 tank of gas: 2277 lbs

Stuff in truck of roadster: 31 lbs

Weight on trailer wheels loaded: 3737 lbs

Tongue weight: 431 lbs

Total towed weight: 4168 lbs

Easy for Explorer to pull, brake package hooked up on one axle.

Dual axle brakes recommended for added safety.

Note: a 4437 mile trip was taken pulling this load with the Explorer 5.0 1997 All Wheel Drive staring at 111,000 miles. After the trip the transfer case had to be rebuilt at a cost of $1650.  The transmission people say the extra strain of the extended trip, Western USA mountains and all (hard driving), shortened the life of the transfer case "viscous coupler" and input shaft.

SE-48 Tongue