Morgans wrote:

"Paul Tomblin" wrote

Only twice as heavy and more susceptable to side winds.


twice as heavy (which they really are not) means more weight on the wheels,
which give a higher coefficient of friction, plus the fact that they have
bigger tires. It also helps if you don't drive faster than your ability to
stop for the conditions.

More weight means more total friction all else being equal, but it
doesn't, to a first order, change the coefficient of friction. That is
largely a function of the materials that are in contact. The total
friction force is the coefficient of friction times the normal force
(weight in this case) clamping the two surfaces together.


If you don't like SUV's, OK, but this is a stupid argument to base the cons
on.

That's a fact. My pickup is blown around much less in cross winds than
are my minivans.


Matt