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#505948 - 04/29/08 08:02 AM
Re: Do I need Stabilizer Bars?
[Re: Paul Dobbin]
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Ron Green
Member
Registered: 05/24/00
Posts: 1826
Loc: Camp Hill, PA. USA
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Excellent points Paul. I have never been one to scrimp on equipment to save a few dollars and in my many tow miles throughout the years have seen just about everything. It does seem that with a dually sway bars don't seem to be as critical.
One thing I do need to do a better job of is keep track of the newer products coming on to the market.
_________________________
Ron Green
AACA Member #337715
AACA Gettysburg Region (board member)
President Amphicar Club (IAOC)
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#505954 - 04/29/08 08:41 AM
Re: Do I need Stabilizer Bars?
[Re: Paul Dobbin]
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charlier
Member
Registered: 03/26/05
Posts: 245
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Paul you do make some excellent points.
Kind of interesting that I passed a big Chevy pickup towing a travel trailer last weekend.
Had a nice long wheelbase and I believe it was a "Heavy Duty" model pickup.
The thing that caught my eye immediately was that the trailer was not not very large yet the truck and trailer were both bobbing up and down (ie. porpoiseing) on a relatively smooth, flat road.
Obviously, that towing setup had serious issues that even a long wheelbase, HD pickup was not equipped to handle.
Sad part is that this is not the first (or last) time I have seen a big pickup truck tow vehicle that lacked the proper equipment and/or had serious tongue weight issues.
Edited by charlier (04/29/08 08:42 AM)
_________________________
Charlie
AACA Member No: 800449
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#508749 - 05/10/08 05:29 PM
Re: Do I need Stabilizer Bars?
[Re: charlier]
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Paul Dobbin
Member
Registered: 12/23/03
Posts: 169
Loc: Florida's West Coast
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Charlie,
That big dually may have had negative tongue weight or been close to a balanced trailer. Either one can cause the trailer to first push the rear wheels of the tow vehicle down, which in turn lifts the traction to the two front wheels that are steering the whole rig. On a straight that may not a big problem but when it happens in a curve,
it can cause real difficulties in control when the trailer wants to continue momentum it a direction other than what the driver wishes. Then if the pushing weight is enough it can turn the towing vehicle around before the driver knows what's happening.
The old 10-12% rule on tongue weight important.
_________________________
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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