Dan G wrote:
On Oct 12, 11:09 pm, Eric Greenwell wrote:
Even glider trailers can differ markedly from one another, so it's no
stretch to imagine caravans (less than half the length, 30% wider, and
twice as tall as a glider trailer of the same weight) might act very
differently behind the same tow vehicle.

One of the findings I remember from the Bath University study was that
aerodynamics had little effect on stability

That would be my guess for a caravan, as it's area is relatively close
to it's axle. My guess for glider trailers is their relatively greater
length would make it a factor. The "tail fin", since it is mounted far
from the axle (much farther than the end of a small caravan is from it's
axle), seems like it could have a noticeable effect. A number of pilots
have reported putting spoilers on the trailer fin improved the stability.


- it was all about weight
distribution.

That is what I was thinking about when I mentioned the big differences
in shape between a caravan and a glider trailer. In addition to weight
distribution, geometry is very important (such as distance from the tow
vehicle's axle to the hitch), as are tires.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA
* Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly
* "Transponders in Sailplanes" http://tinyurl.com/y739x4
* "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane Operation" at www.motorglider.org