How not to transport your car on a trailer..
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Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Under Your Car
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A bigger tow vehicle isn't going to help an incorrectly loaded trailer or driver error, but rather help mask inexperience towing a load. Had a buddy who spun his F250 superduty on the interstate after he picked up his trailer from the shop who replaced an axle that was causing a sway, so the big trucks aren't immune to it either.
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Joined: Jun 2009
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From: wilmington NC
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A bigger tow vehicle isn't going to help an incorrectly loaded trailer or driver error, but rather help mask inexperience towing a load. Had a buddy who spun his F250 superduty on the interstate after he picked up his trailer from the shop who replaced an axle that was causing a sway, so the big trucks aren't immune to it either.
From my experience you can get a good feel for how a load will ride within the first 2 or 3 miles. Way before you get on the interstate at 70 plus MPH.....
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Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Under Your Car
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Agree... Of course this is a hypothesis but it looks like that trailer in the video is much more than that vehicle can handle. I am no expert but my time in the military always emphasized when towing a critical necessity to center balance the load and distribute the weight equally across each axle on the trailer. It appears this load was distributed unequally, not to mention the high center of gravity. This driver noticed the problem did not correct properly like another member posted. Once it starts to sway you can only gain control by speeding up to straighten the load.... You don't need training to tow unfortunately.. Just money to purchase the trailer. Kind of like boating From my experience you can get a good feel for how a load will ride within the first 2 or 3 miles. Way before you get on the interstate at 70 plus MPH.....
From my experience you can get a good feel for how a load will ride within the first 2 or 3 miles. Way before you get on the interstate at 70 plus MPH.....
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Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Toledo Ohio
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Trailer
Holy sheeetola,
I had something similar happen to me trailering my TT down to a track event. Fortunately, I kept the vehicle under control and the trailer went bye bye the next day.
I had something similar happen to me trailering my TT down to a track event. Fortunately, I kept the vehicle under control and the trailer went bye bye the next day.
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Joined: Mar 2009
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From: CA
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Guy just doesn't know how to drive with a trailer. You can also compensate lack of knowledge with a huge truck.
When you sense oscillation (usually due to too much weight rear, and too high speed) you can do 2 things:
- If you have a strong engine: Accelerate (floor it) to straigthen the trailer up (stops oscillation) then brake gently but adequately to slow down to a safe speed
- Brake in segments at the "sweetspot" when the trailer is exactly centered, until the oscillation stops.
This dude brakes continuously which just increases the oscillation.
That stuff is why a lot of countries requre a certain license level / training to be permitted to tow trailers of a certain weight.
Or if you don't know the basics of towing a trailer, just buy a big-a** truck.
When you sense oscillation (usually due to too much weight rear, and too high speed) you can do 2 things:
- If you have a strong engine: Accelerate (floor it) to straigthen the trailer up (stops oscillation) then brake gently but adequately to slow down to a safe speed
- Brake in segments at the "sweetspot" when the trailer is exactly centered, until the oscillation stops.
This dude brakes continuously which just increases the oscillation.
That stuff is why a lot of countries requre a certain license level / training to be permitted to tow trailers of a certain weight.
Or if you don't know the basics of towing a trailer, just buy a big-a** truck.
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Joined: Jul 2006
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From: ga
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I always wonder why people insist on towing their prized possessions (be they Cars or Horses or Boats) using a clearly inadequate tow vehicle.... Spend the money and buy a PROPER tow vehicle like a Dually or similar... You can buy them used for $5k - $8K in great working order.... Seems like money well spent to avoid exactly this kind of issue.
I know someone who had a 4 horse trailer (with 4 horses worth over $200k in it) who had the same thing happen to them.. they were using a Volvo X-Country as a tow vehicle... All the horses either died on the spot or had to be euthanized.... Madness!!!!!
I know someone who had a 4 horse trailer (with 4 horses worth over $200k in it) who had the same thing happen to them.. they were using a Volvo X-Country as a tow vehicle... All the horses either died on the spot or had to be euthanized.... Madness!!!!!
Really, 5-8k for a dually? Please post a link, I would greatly appreciate it, I'm looking for a truck.
Also, I've had my tow vehicle blow a tire which sent my trailer into a tank slapper while headed back from the drag strip. Tank slappers aren't solved with brakes on the track or towing a vehicle on the highway, get the car straightened first, then brake. I do agree that some gas can help because trailers inherently follow the lead of the tow vehicle, if the tow vehicle accelerates, the trailer will follow.
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