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#501916 - 04/13/08 12:50 PM
Re: Tow Vehicle Safety Seminar????
[Re: Ron Green]
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R W Burgess
Long Time Member
Registered: 06/13/02
Posts: 10080
Loc: Warsaw, Va.
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Earl Beauchamp has had many tire problems in the past, so he has ordered a set of these Denman Tires for his trailer. He says they are guaranteed for 5 years. Check it out.
http://www.denmantire.com/catalog/22.pdf
Wayne
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#503386 - 04/18/08 09:44 PM
Re: Trailer Towing Safety Seminar????
[Re: novaman]
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Paul Dobbin
Member
Registered: 12/23/03
Posts: 169
Loc: Florida's West Coast
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I didn't get an opinion from the "New Forum", so I'll ask here.
I usually tow with a Motorhome and think I'm pretty good at it. I tow either an enclosed car hauler or an open aluminum car trailer (my preferrred choice).
Now I would like to be able to tow either with other than the motorhome and I'm selling my extened cab pickup and want a Tahoe or Yukon with a short wheel base that will fit in my garage.
I've been told that a short wheel base is a nightmare to tow with. So, what do the experts think??????
Anybody have an opinion? And rational.
_________________________
Paul Dobbin
PinMAR (Pinellas Model A Restorers)
EFV8CA (Early Ford V8 Club of America)
AACA (Antique Automobile Club of America)
VMCCA (Veteran Motor Car Club of America)
NSRA (National Street Rod Association)
BSRA (Buick Street Rod Association)
TCT (Tin Can Tourists)
Current Fleet (after about 100 old cars)
1934 Ford Fordor V8, 1935 Ford V8 Pickup,
1935 Buick Resto-Rod, 1966 VW Bug.
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#503802 - 04/20/08 07:53 PM
Re: Trailer Towing Safety Seminar????
[Re: R W Burgess]
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Matt M, PA
Member
Registered: 12/24/03
Posts: 31
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I'll put my .02 in...I towed for 10 years with a full size Ford Bronco, trailer tow package, 351 automatic. I can't say I ever had a "real" problem. Obviously, this is a very short wheelbase vehicle.
My trailer is a 22' enclosed.
In 2005, the Bronco found a new home as I wanted to get one of the last year Excursions. Agreed, this is based on a Super Duty, compared to a F150 series...much more engine 400 V10 compared to 351 V8.
The biggest difference is the amount of "correction" needed with the WD hitch. I still use the WD hitch, but do not need anywhere near the same amount of assistance.
Braking is another area that is much better...a bigger vehicle is equipped with bigger brakes.
Wheelbase too helps keep things going straight with less steering wheel correction. I still use sway control on the highways.
One big help to any towing vehicle is the Roadmaster Active Suspension set-up. I installed this on the Excursion and wow what a difference. Unloaded...better cornering...a bit more control...but it did not harm the ride quality. Towing is much improved too. The RAS is a bolt-on coil spring that mounts in line above your rear leafs.
Back on topic...a "nightmare" to tow with a Tahoe? I can;t speak for that...but I'd bet a Suburban...if that would fit in your garage would be better. My stubby little Bronco took my trailer everywhere for a decade...but I am much more comfortable with the bigger rig.
One other note...a shorter wheelbase can make the tail wag the dog more than a longer wheelbase vehicle would allow.
A friend of mine said it best....the most important vehicle you own is behind you, the second most important is towing it....don't skimp on safety.
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#503858 - 04/20/08 11:40 PM
Re: Trailer Towing Safety Seminar????
[Re: Paul Dobbin]
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jrbartlett
Member
Registered: 01/10/03
Posts: 304
Loc: Houston, Texas
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I have a friend who spun a Tahoe/trailer combination going down a steep hill. He parked the Tahoe and went back to using a longer-wheelbase tow vehicle.
_________________________
James Bartlett
jamesandeileen@comcast.net
19 Locomobile Sportif
29 Packard Super 8 roadster
35 Auburn S/C convertible
38 Chrysler convertible coupe
64 Lincoln convertible
66 Buick Riviera Gran Sport
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#503885 - 04/21/08 06:39 AM
Re: Trailer Towing Safety Seminar????
[Re: jrbartlett]
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MCHinson
Member
Registered: 06/27/06
Posts: 762
Loc: Wilmington, NC
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Here is what I posted under the "Do I need Stabilizer Bars" question...
From my experience, it depends on exactly what you are towing on the trailer and it depends on what you are towing it with.
For example, I can pull my enclosed trailer with a Model A Phaeton in it in heavy winds behind a full size long wheel base pickup without an anti-sway bar without any problem. If I want to pull that same combination any distance with my 2003 Chevy Tahoe, I have to use an anti-sway bar.
A Suburban would be better than a Tahoe, but this vehicle has to double as an everyday driver for my wife and she can't seem to handle parking a Suburban.
For me, The Tahoe works fine with a weight distribuiting hitch and an anti-sway bar. It is scary without the anti-sway bar.
_________________________
Matthew C. Hinson
1929 Model A Phaeton
AACA, MAFCA, MARC
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#503897 - 04/21/08 08:40 AM
Re: Trailer Towing Safety Seminar????
[Re: MCHinson]
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charlier
Member
Registered: 03/26/05
Posts: 245
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I have a 20 ft, enclosed car trailer (~ 5200-5400 lbs loaded) that I tow with a Toyota 4Runner (body on frame SUV).
The 4Runner came standard with a weight distributing hitch and I added sway control.
The combination of the WD hitch & sway control make the 4Runner a competent tow vehicle even though it has a somwehat short wheelbase.
I use a Prodigy brake controller which does an excellent job handling the braking duties.
I agree with other's here that a longer wheelbase tow vehicle may be a better choice for towing longer, heavier trailers.
One thing I have noticed in my travels is that there appears to be a fairly large number of longer wheel base trucks towing trailers that are not using the proper
equipment (ie WD hitch & sway control) and/or are not loaded properly.
Wish I had money for each one of these "big trucks" that I have seen on the roads that is sagging and swaying under the load of the trailers they are towing.
I simply give them PLENTY of room because they are an accident waiting to happen that I want to avoid being involved in.
FYI, I have always been told by every single person who tows that having the trailer brakes set properly and keeping them maintained is VERY IMPORTANT.
Having a tow vehicle with good brakes is important but one should not rely on the tow vehicle brakes for stopping the trailer on a daily basis.
That is what the trailer brakes are there for. Tow vehicle brakes should be able to handle stopping the trailer (in the event of a trailer brake failure) but that is all.
BTW, when I am towing I get interesting reactions from professional truck drivers when they see my rig at turnpike plazas, etc.
When I tell them I seldom feel a thing when I am passed by a tractor trailer they are amazed.
They seemed shocked when I tell them I have encountered 40 mph cross-winds and have felt nothing more than a very gentle "nudge".
Edited by charlier (04/21/08 08:41 AM)
_________________________
Charlie
AACA Member No: 800449
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#503910 - 04/21/08 09:15 AM
Re: Tow Vehicle Safety Seminar????
[Re: Ron Green]
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Ron Green
Member
Registered: 05/24/00
Posts: 1826
Loc: Camp Hill, PA. USA
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I used to tow the same 24' trailer / car combination with a Suburban and it was dangerous. Not enough power, to short of wheelbase and inadequate braking. Towing was beating the Suburban to death. Same trailer car behind a 4 door pickup and you don't even know it is there.
_________________________
Ron Green
AACA Member #337715
AACA Gettysburg Region (board member)
President Amphicar Club (IAOC)
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#504097 - 04/21/08 07:49 PM
Re: Trailer Towing Safety Seminar????
[Re: R W Burgess]
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charlier
Member
Registered: 03/26/05
Posts: 245
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Hey Charlie, can you take a picture of your hitch equipment? I'm not sure some of us know exactly you have on the tow vehicle.
Thanks,
Wayne
Wayne, I do not have any photos of my hitch setup at this time.
When I have an opportunity to take a picture, I will but it might be a while.
Until then, the following link shows the setup I have.
http://www.reese-hitches.com/products/St...Hitch_Bar,66084
The weight distributing hitch on the 4Runner came standard with the V8 model I purchased.
This receiver is bolted to numerous places on the undercarriage/frame with some fairly beefy bolts.
Edited by charlier (04/21/08 07:53 PM)
_________________________
Charlie
AACA Member No: 800449
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#504100 - 04/21/08 08:02 PM
Re: Trailer Towing Safety Seminar????
[Re: charlier]
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R W Burgess
Long Time Member
Registered: 06/13/02
Posts: 10080
Loc: Warsaw, Va.
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That picture is fine, Charlie. I'd never seen a sway system like that. It's completely different from the old style Reese that I have.
Wayne
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#504128 - 04/21/08 09:57 PM
Re: Trailer Towing Safety Seminar????
[Re: R W Burgess]
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charlier
Member
Registered: 03/26/05
Posts: 245
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That picture is fine, Charlie. I'd never seen a sway system like that. It's completely different from the old style Reese that I have.
Wayne
I think I have seen some of the older style Reese systems that you are talking about.
The design I have also handles very sharp turns and dips in road surfaces. That can come in handy.
_________________________
Charlie
AACA Member No: 800449
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#504337 - 04/22/08 03:13 PM
Re: Trailer Towing Safety Seminar????
[Re: Paul Dobbin]
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Tom
Member
Registered: 12/09/99
Posts: 531
Loc: Minnetonka MN
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I didn't get an opinion from the "New Forum", so I'll ask here.
I usually tow with a Motorhome and think I'm pretty good at it. I tow either an enclosed car hauler or an open aluminum car trailer (my preferrred choice).
Now I would like to be able to tow either with other than the motorhome and I'm selling my extened cab pickup and want a Tahoe or Yukon with a short wheel base that will fit in my garage.
I've been told that a short wheel base is a nightmare to tow with. So, what do the experts think??????
Anybody have an opinion? And rational.
Paul, I towed full sized '59 and '63 Buicks on an 18' open aluminum trailer behind a short wheelbase '03 Yukon and while it did it without any problems, I was never real comfortable with it. I got the tail wagging the dog feeling with it. Always felt like the trailer wanted to pull the back end of the truck around on curves. Seemed to be more pronounced on urban highways at highway speed where curves tend to be sharper than those out on the open road. I switched last year to a Chev 2500 HD gas crew cab pickup and I feel much more confident with this setup. More power, better brakes and more stable. Just my thoughts.
_________________________
Tom Liddy, BCA # 33837
'59 Invicta 2dr Hardtop w/factory air
'63 Electra 225 Sport Coupe
'05 Rendezvous
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