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Forum
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RE: Wind while towing
Perhaps we could limit this discussion to the more "conventional" TV/TT combinations -- i.e. the vast majority which are not an Airstream trailer towed by a Dodge Intrepid (or something similar).
Ok........... yaw-n!
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Road Ruler
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10/07/09 06:17am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Wind while towing
Can you please list some factors which you consider to be much more important than TV and TT weight and explain why?
Ron
If folks paid more attention to balance, aerodynamics, suspension, centre of gravity, brake controller quality/setup, and hitches they wouldn't have to be so concerned about weight and length.
Some of the best handling combinations that have ever graced this earth have....
A. A tow vehicle that weighs 1/2 as much as the trailer and
B. A 30' plus trailer that is being towed by a TV that has a wheel base less than 120"
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Road Ruler
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10/06/09 04:56pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Wind while towing
IMO, we have no clear understanding as to how TT length affects TV/TT yaw stability. However, IMO, it is pretty clear that there are four primary factors which do affect stability. These are:
Tow Vehicle Weight
Tow Vehicle Wheelbase
Hitch Overhang (distance from TV rear axle to ball coupler)
TT Weight
Also include about another 45 factors. When optimally connected weight and a long wheelbase can be way down on the list.
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Road Ruler
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10/06/09 05:35am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Wind while towing
In many cases following the so called rules will put folks in dangerous or marginal towing situations. There is more to towing and towing safety than rules.
I respectively disagree with your junk comment
Perhaps a better way of saying it would have been " In many cases the old school rules may NA (not apply) which is the truth".
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Road Ruler
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10/05/09 08:22pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Wind while towing
We live around the Great Lakes where the wind is always blowing.
A well designed aerodynamic trailer with a low center of gravity and independent suspension is what makes a trailer handles well at all times.
I have towed our trailer dry and fully loaded in the wind. Light or heavy there is no difference.
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Road Ruler
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10/04/09 01:54pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Downsizing to Lightweight Trailer
Agree with jml. Go with the V6 and you will have so many more options for a PU or TT. Also consider an aerodynamic trailer. This will allow you to have more space for the same amount of pulling power as the box type trailers.
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Road Ruler
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10/04/09 07:31am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: What is your limit for a pop-up
As a teen my parents had a nice Jayco pop-up and Crown Vic tow vehicle
The Crown Vics can tow just about anything but with modern technology many V6 cars can do the job just as well.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v213/CF105/108-0881_IMG-2-1.jpg height=300 width=400
You have so many choices for TV's and trailer combinations. Lets start with the question. What vehicles do you prefer to drive on a daily basis?
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Road Ruler
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10/03/09 08:30pm |
Folding Trailers
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RE: How do I convince a friend NOT to do this?
Road Ruler is in agreement.
Well there you have it. OP, you need to tell your friend that even the most open minded among us can't support her endeavor.
CASE CLOSED
Yup, with 8 passengers and a 30'TT she would be much better off with a real tow vehicle with a lower center of gravity...lol
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v213/CF105/Mini-XXL-Stretch-Limo-Side-1600x120.jpg height=300 width=400
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Road Ruler
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10/03/09 06:54am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: How do I convince a friend NOT to do this?
We could try to give you arguments against, but 'cult of the minivan' representatives will be here in a little while to give you the real scoop. Might tell you to slap WD bars on and go. I don't know.
Caddy and Road Ruler.....got one for you to tackle. All yours.
With 8 passengers...... I don't think I'll get involved with this one thnxs.
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Road Ruler
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10/02/09 07:24pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Aerodynamic Lightweights - Does Shape Make a Difference?
Actually you would not give up much at all. I think you are way overrating the capabilities of your Infiniti.
I believe the Infiniti would perform in the same ball park as a Caddy DTS or Dodge Intrepid. Without a doubt the Infiniti solo has shorter stopping distances, better handling capabilities, and a quicker acceleration rate.
A few years ago Colin Connell from Hensley Mfg held a rally and this interesting account came out of the event.
"One year a junior engineer from one of the auto companies really took me to task during my seminar at the Hensley rally. His issue was the liability of the stopping distance of Colin Connell’s combination. At the time he was towing a 34 Airstream with a Cadillac DTS. The engineer was towing a 32' conventional trailer with a HD 3/4 ton pick-up.
I asked him if he had spent time on the proving grounds which he had. I then asked him which would stop in a shorter distance his truck or the DTS as solo vehicles. He had to admit that the DTS would stop in a much shorter distance. Then I asked him if you could stop just the trailers which would stop faster. His with four 12" brakes and Light truck tires or Colin’s with six 12" brakes and 60 series, sticky high performance tires. Well it was obvious that Collin’s trailer had way more stopping ability and he admitted that. Then asked him why would your truck which needs more room to stop and your trailer that needs more room to stop suddenly stop in less distance when you hook them together? That was without getting into the lousy brake control he had. He then asked about brake fade in mountain driving which again was no contest as the Diesel without an exhaust brake would not be able to control speed like the gas engine in the Cadillac. I rarely use the brakes in mountains as even the 3.5 Liter Intrepid has enough engine braking to control the combination. After the seminar I took him out for a test drive in the Intrepid and 34'Airstream and he just could not believe how it stopped and the violent maneuvers it could handle. He had to admit it was likely better than his truck solo. He did buy a Hensley before left. "
As I have said many times before Jim you will never understand how something performs unless you actually get behind the wheel and experience it.
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Road Ruler
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10/02/09 12:13pm |
Towing
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RE: Aerodynamic Lightweights - Does Shape Make a Difference?
Road Ruler, just buy a real tow vehicle and you will not have to over-pay for an Airstream. It is as simple as that!
ROTFL.... Too funny!
I guess I could do that Jim but then I would have to give up the outstanding performance, handling, comfort, fuel efficiency, safety, etc etc etc. Think we will keep the grocery getter, lol
Test Drive in a 30klm cross wind...
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Road Ruler
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10/01/09 05:53am |
Towing
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RE: Aerodynamic Lightweights - Does Shape Make a Difference?
Have you priced a NEW Airstream lately ? My NEW barn door cost $11k. My complaint is that you have to pay considerably more for the aerodynamic product if you want it NEW.
What you are paying for is a lot more than an aerodynamic trailer. What you get for the big bucks is the whole package which makes it "the best towing trailer on the planet?
The guy down the street from here bought his Airstream Argosy 37 years ago and has spent about 10 years of his life in it or traveling with it.
For his $8,000. investment of the trailer when new one could say he has has good value for the money.
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Road Ruler
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09/30/09 05:08pm |
Towing
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RE: Aerodynamic Lightweights - Does Shape Make a Difference?
This is kind of a 'duh' thread isn't it ?
What isn't mentioned is that the super duper aerodynamic trailers are often much more expensive to acquire on a per square foot basis than your standard box on wheels. At the end of the day, aren't you are going to pay either way ? :h
How many gallons of gas or diesel could you purchase with the extra money that you have to spend on an Airstream or other botique TT that slices through the wind....not to mention air springs, etc. for the mini-van ? :h
We payed $6,000 for our 1973 super duper aerodynamic trailer. How much did you pay for your barn door?
Also, aerodynamic efficiency alone won't save you on long and steep grades. I sure wouldn't want to be pulling that sleek 25' TT at camping weight with a mini-van up a 6% grade in 100 degree temperatures. When my Chrysler Ultrabrokenmatic transmission goes kaput midway up I could at least comfort myself that I had saved a lot of gas on the straightaways.
You seemed to be full of PCI (pre conceived ideas). Aerodynamics works going up hill as well as on the level.
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Road Ruler
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09/30/09 03:42pm |
Towing
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RE: Aerodynamic Lightweights - Does Shape Make a Difference?
Don't forget the aerodynamics of the TV as well.
Once up to speed the weight of the trailer in tow has little bearing on fuel usage.
The issue is the wall of air resistance that you have to cut through every inch of the way. Having an aerodynamic TV will poke a hole though this barrier with little effort and create the space for the trailer to slip into.
My buddy tows a 24' 5er and tows it with a V8 Chev. If a headwind is more than 25kph he parks his rig. With a 25kph head wind we easily carry on with our 23' Airstream and aerodynamic V6 TV.
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Road Ruler
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09/30/09 06:46am |
Towing
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RE: Town and Country for TV
The new T & C's are much better and more capable.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v213/CF105/003.jpg
There is quite a bit of info on the forum about the older automatics. Do a search on forum member "Caddywhompus". He is a Chrysler mechanic and had talked a lot about them.
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Road Ruler
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09/29/09 04:01pm |
Folding Trailers
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RE: Put hole in trailer
Back in the 60's my dad had an RV dealership. I was a kid and accidently shot an arrow (bow and arrow) in the side of one of the new Mallards on the lot. I lucked out with the location of the hole and my dad simply installed a .99 reflector over the hole and I would guess no one ever new the real story.
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Road Ruler
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09/28/09 12:24pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Travel Trailer Height
Lowering the Hd would be a much better idea for handling and stability.
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Road Ruler
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09/22/09 08:12pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Best rim/tire size to reduce sway ?
I am using a P215x55x17 V Rated high performance tire for daily driving and towing 4,500lbs. Stability is 10/10. The tire is a Yokohama Avid V4S. So far they are 2/3 worn out and I have 50,000klm's on them.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v213/CF105/My%20Cars%20and%20Toys/Yoko2155517AVIDV4S.jpg
Can Am in London have set up over 500 Freestars for towing and I know they have experimented with various tires and sizes. You may want to pay them a visit and pic Andy or Kirk's brain on the subject.
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Road Ruler
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09/18/09 07:57pm |
Towing
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RE: how to control sway/after axle flip
I have flipped axles. The sway only happens when I make moderate to sever steering corrections, so it's tolerable.
:S
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Road Ruler
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09/18/09 07:34pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: how to control sway/after axle flip
I would not tow an RV that had flipped axles.
I guess you don't realise that many MFRs produce them that way!
Many companies produce and market cigarettes and ironicly many butt users try to tell us smoking them won't will not be a health hazzard....LOL
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Road Ruler
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09/17/09 08:46pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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