GB Gord B Ultra Moderator Location: Ontario, Canada Join Date: 01/17/2006 Age: Possibly Wise Posts: 80 Rally Car: None at this time |
What ever works for you go for it, I would never preach that you must go smaller, unfortunately it doesn't work the same way back towards my set up. Most "BIG TRUCK" mindset will always make it a point to come over to my campground and tell me how dangerous of a set up /combination mine is without even knowing what teh set up is, yet they are towing a xxxxx lb trailer without WD or sway control with the truck nose in the air like it's going to take off to the moon and then you see them on the highway trying to go 75+ mph swaying all over the place but they will tell you "With my truck I don't even know the trailer is back there" to me this is more dangerous then actually feeling and knowing what your trailer is doing behind you. Also the stopping issue is a bit funny as if you are towing something heavy (most states & provinces have a min weight #) then your trailer is required to have brakes. Mine does and with my progressive force brake controller the combination stops really well. Control is also no problem as I will not ever tow even from our storage yard to the house without WD and sway control in place even though it is a 10 min trip down an 55 mph road. Our combination sits perfectly level and no sway at 65 mph the speed I tow at even when large rigs pass me. Do I know the trailer is there of course I do. Can I feel when a large transport is passing me, absolutely, but am I under control, yes 100% of the time. Also if you needed to swerve to me it is safer with a vehicle that has a lower center of gravity and a bit more modern suspension design than something like a full size truck that sits higher and has leafs in the back. As far as insurance denial or legal issues can't comment on these without having more details on the specific incidents. In your friends instance there might have been other circumstances other than overloaded....possibly no brake controller on the vehicle, no WD or sway control, etc. Was the trailer registered as a commercial trailer, therefore other laws applying over that incident then in a personal/recreational vehicle incident. Possible there was a charge by police for careless driving or something else and therefore the insurance co could deny depending on how the policy is written. I can tell you though in Canada at least, there is no case history in the courts of anyone ever being charged or sued after a motor vehicle accident for being overloaded with a trailer. I have personal been stopped by our provincial police on our holiday long weekends when they do safety blitzes/checks and have never been told you are towing beyond the manufacturers suggested tow rating or pulled off the road. I can tell you though I have seen full size trucks pulled off to the side of the road and their licence plates pulled off by the police meaning the vehicle was too dangerous to operate. Or in one case the guy beside me did get charged for not having the safety chains from the trailer hooked up to the truck and he was towing a 30ft travel trailer (probably 6000 lbs) using the bumper ball no proper hitch!! Hey but he had a full size truck so must be OK. Anyhow all my post was about was that towing can be done with vehicle other than large trucks didn't mean to ramble. ...If you don't go off at least once a season you are not trying hard enough... Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/22/2015 07:24PM by GB. |
Paddy1337 Tim Patrick Godlike Moderator Location: Raleigh, NC Join Date: 01/26/2011 Age: Settling Down Posts: 175 Rally Car: Galant VR-4 |
I think the most dangerous part of towing with my F350 is that you really could forget you have a load.
For the average idiot that doesn't set up the load properly, or drive differently with a trailer, I think a big truck is the safer option for everyone. The same people that cut off 18-wheelers |
GB Gord B Ultra Moderator Location: Ontario, Canada Join Date: 01/17/2006 Age: Possibly Wise Posts: 80 Rally Car: None at this time |
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Paul Buck Paul Buck Professional Moderator Location: Portland, OR Join Date: 03/23/2015 Age: Midlife Crisis Posts: 156 Rally Car: Volvo 242 in progress |
Perry Perry Seaman Infallible Moderator Location: Pittsburgh-ish Join Date: 12/15/2013 Age: Midlife Crisis Posts: 66 Rally Car: under construction |
A lot of the big vs small tow rig debate comes down to skill of the operator and expectations.
That being said, I started out with smaller vehicles which towed fine, then moved up to larger ones as I become more aware of the risks involved and the insurance issues that can happen if you wreck the thing. I have a buddy that has been in two accidents with trailers and after I saw what the trailer did to his heavy pickup truck I started worrying about the camper crushing the unibody tow vehicle cab in a collision on the highway (with my 4 kids inside). Plus it's a thermal management thing. bigger stuff is designed to put out those higher power loadings over the long haul and just holds up better. And I feel better when the wife drives the bigger stuff because it takes less "strategy". Lately though, a base model 1/2 ton is built heavier duty than the older 1 tons. And, most of the 1 ton diesel pickups aren't towing anything anyway (big truck syndrome) To each his own. Perry FE570s course bike KTM 950 ADV 74 Beetle turbo-efi etc.. 72 Beetle stage rally project WRX powered Attended about 15 rallies, usually a volunteer in a course car. |
hoche Michel Hoche-Mong Professional Moderator Location: Campbell, CA Join Date: 02/28/2006 Age: Possibly Wise Posts: 1,156 Rally Car: Golf, Golf, RX-3 |
The #1 reason I wish I had a Sprinter or one of the new Fords instead of my current E350. On the other hand...crosswinds. Self-righteous douche canoe |
Josh Wimpey Josh Wimpey Godlike Moderator Location: VA Join Date: 12/27/2006 Age: Midlife Crisis Posts: 649 Rally Car: Sneak the Golf |
Well, towing anything in crosswinds can suck. However, we towed to Idaho and back with plenty of cross/head/tail winds and it never seemed much worse than driving an SUV in the wind without a trailer. I think the new Sprinters have a cross-winds assistance electronic stability program when you buy the tow package (bigger sway bars, hitch, harness, etc...) ____________________________________________________________- One. Class -- 2WD www.quantumrallysport.com http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Quantum-Rally-Sport/281129179600?ref=nf |
AaronJMcConnell AaronJMcConnell Elite Moderator Location: Evergreen Colorado Join Date: 04/11/2006 Age: Midlife Crisis Posts: 76 Rally Car: Subaru Impreza |
I would suggest you get real and get yourself an appropriate vehicle for the loads that you're hauling. If you need a van, get a Duramax van. If that's out of your price range, find a Powerstroke van. I'm a heavy haul truck driver and I see a lot of incidents caused by or involving meager tow vehicle setups. Do what you want but I hope you're never in a situation of regret due to poor vehicle choice. Good luck.
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NoCoast Grant Hughes Infallible Moderator Location: Whitefish, MT Join Date: 01/11/2006 Age: Midlife Crisis Posts: 6,818 Rally Car: BMW |
U-Haul won't rent me a 18' bumper pull car hauler as my truck doesn't have the capability to handle the trailer + car. I told them you had hauled 9000# heavy equipment with it. They don't really care though. Grant Hughes |
AaronJMcConnell AaronJMcConnell Elite Moderator Location: Evergreen Colorado Join Date: 04/11/2006 Age: Midlife Crisis Posts: 76 Rally Car: Subaru Impreza |
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Paddy1337 Tim Patrick Godlike Moderator Location: Raleigh, NC Join Date: 01/26/2011 Age: Settling Down Posts: 175 Rally Car: Galant VR-4 |
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tdrrally edward mucklow Godlike Moderator Location: charleston,wv Join Date: 05/31/2011 Age: Possibly Wise Posts: 763 Rally Car: ford mustang LX 5.0, 1973 VW Beetle |
i did flat tow a full size g20 van full of scrap metal to the crusher with eagle summit awd wagon once, not the best idea stopping was not an option but it did do for the mile drive.
i would like to have another awd summit wagon for a dd again I would rather drive a slow car fast as a fast car slow! first rule of cars: get what makes you happy, your the one paying for it! |
NoCoast Grant Hughes Infallible Moderator Location: Whitefish, MT Join Date: 01/11/2006 Age: Midlife Crisis Posts: 6,818 Rally Car: BMW |
Oh, we know it can easily. Grant Hughes |
Mad Matt F Matt Follett Godlike Moderator Location: La Belle Province, Montreal Join Date: 03/13/2006 Age: Midlife Crisis Posts: 645 Rally Car: Don't Laugh, the Justy is Fun! |
Sorry Aj... but this was point of my original post. i started "pullin'" at age 17, before i was legal to get my heavy license. i started a post here again about the diff between Europe and NA towing capacity... I'll get it done after Christmas. GD's towing setup would be completely cool here in real mountains... with real grades. NA needs to get over needing 400 hp and 7000 lbs to pull 3000 lbs... |
john vanlandingham John Vanlandingham Senior Moderator Location: Ford Asylum, Sleezattle, WA Join Date: 12/20/2005 Age: Fossilized Posts: 14,152 Rally Car: Saab 96 V4 |
This..I was curious what semi rigs had for engines..I though they were 8-10 liters . Here is a truck that was called by many as one of the best things EVAR: Engines: 9 or 11 liters... And somehow they manage to haul a 16,000 truck and 40 tons of cargo.. And to haul a measly little 1300kg rally car and a trailer "we" need 7-8 liters John Vanlandingham Sleezattle, WA, USA Vive le Prole-le-ralliat www.rallyrace.net/jvab CALL +1 206 431-9696 Remember! Pacific Standard Time is 3 hours behind Eastern Standard Time. |