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Old November 3rd 09, 05:01 PM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
Larry Goddard
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Posts: 66
Default towing a sailplane trailer / vehicle

"Burt Compton - Marfa" wrote in message
:


What's the hurry? I tow my glider trailers (DG-1000 in a Cobra /
ASK-13 in a Swan / Cirrus in an Eberle trailer) long distances to/from
Marfa, west Texas (USA) at no more than 60 mph behind my 2001 Ford Van
(6 cylinder). Why risk damaging a glider by driving at higher
speeds? At slower speeds you can maneuver around potholes, junk in
the road, wayward critters, or manage a blowout better. I've been
towing glider trailers at 60 mph across the USA for decades. No
problems, yet.

The Germans must know something if they limit glider trailers to 100
km/h (62 mph), while also driving their well-tuned cars without
trailers much faster on their Autobahns.

So put in a long day and get there with a lot less stress and fatigue
on glider, driver and tow vehicle. I find that driving off the US
Interstates the "blue" roads are often smoother, less traffic passing
you and the scenery is great, with small-town diners, tractors in
fields, cool junkyards, vintage "motorcourt" motels -- classic
Americana! Listen to audiobooks and your favorite CD's if you find
60 mph "tedious".

I also get a bit better gas mileage for my Ford van as the glider
trailer creates an aerodynamically favorable "after body" behind the
big van.

Start early, slow down, save gas, enjoy the trip, keep our trailer /
gilder insurance premiums from being raised because of highway
accidents due to "get-there-i-tis".

Burt -- just easin' on down the road . . .



C'mon Burt...

You're completely forgetting "Crosina's Law".

:-)

Larry