Is this tow rig a little overkill?
03-16-2012 | 10:34 AM
#21
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From: Seattle, WA
Just for the record, I did get this was a joke. That said, it does appear the back end hasn't squatted nearly as much as I'd expect.
What is the tongue weight for the rig in the original post? I've always understood that if you drop your tongue weight under 10% of gross weight you're at much higher risk of catastrophic sway. Does that only count for RV's and utility trailers where the axles are normally moved much further forward than on boat trailers?
It makes sense to me that having a much shorter lever length behind the axles will diminish the sway but my physics are too rusty to try and prove that.
Tongue weight on a trailer is all dependant on the balance of the load over the wheels. If the boat is far enough back, there can be very little downward weight on the front of the trailer. I knew a guy who had an old Chris Craft that when loaded on the trailer, you could lift the front of the trailer by hand and place it on his hitch.
Still doesn't allow the vehicle to tow that weight over the road, but around a yard or storage is fine.
Still doesn't allow the vehicle to tow that weight over the road, but around a yard or storage is fine.
It makes sense to me that having a much shorter lever length behind the axles will diminish the sway but my physics are too rusty to try and prove that.
03-16-2012 | 12:54 PM
#22
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From: Oneida Lake NY
What is the tongue weight for the rig in the original post? I've always understood that if you drop your tongue weight under 10% of gross weight you're at much higher risk of catastrophic sway. Does that only count for RV's and utility trailers where the axles are normally moved much further forward than on boat trailers?
It makes sense to me that having a much shorter lever length behind the axles will diminish the sway but my physics are too rusty to try and prove that.
Years ago a friend of mine had a steel snowmobile trailer repaired. The framing in the back was rotted from rust. The guy did a great job making it sound, however he used so much heavy metal that my friend actually lost the trailer bringing it home empty. It went into a sway and actually ripped the trailer off the ball, and flew off the side of the road into trees.
CG is very important when towing or flying
03-16-2012 | 02:40 PM
#24
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From: Hollywood, MD, USA
Just for the record, I did get this was a joke. That said, it does appear the back end hasn't squatted nearly as much as I'd expect.
What is the tongue weight for the rig in the original post? I've always understood that if you drop your tongue weight under 10% of gross weight you're at much higher risk of catastrophic sway. Does that only count for RV's and utility trailers where the axles are normally moved much further forward than on boat trailers?
It makes sense to me that having a much shorter lever length behind the axles will diminish the sway but my physics are too rusty to try and prove that.
What is the tongue weight for the rig in the original post? I've always understood that if you drop your tongue weight under 10% of gross weight you're at much higher risk of catastrophic sway. Does that only count for RV's and utility trailers where the axles are normally moved much further forward than on boat trailers?
It makes sense to me that having a much shorter lever length behind the axles will diminish the sway but my physics are too rusty to try and prove that.
03-17-2012 | 10:34 PM
#25
AKA "BAZOOKA JOE"
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From: NEW JERSEY
Yep white F150 with Outerlimits across the bottom of the doors....clueless
03-18-2012 | 07:21 AM
#27
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03-19-2012 | 02:05 PM
#30
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From: Pittsburgh
I dont know what the tongue weight would be on the first vehicle. I was just making the point that if balanced, you can hook up a large amount of weight to a vehicle and not have any sag in the rear suspension. That still would not make it safe for that vehicle to actually tow that weight. That is what gets alot of people into physical trouble. A vehicles tow rating is based on strenght of the frame, axles, wheels, tires, brakes and drivetrain.
I realize that the first post was probably a joke cause we all see people do that in real life thinking that it is perfectly ok...
I realize that the first post was probably a joke cause we all see people do that in real life thinking that it is perfectly ok...
