Which Tow Vehicle

Larry, I agree.
I drove at one point an extended version of the old Aero Star. This
combination was good for about 60m/h max no wind, with the same sort
of trailers I am towing now. This was ok for the odd retrieve and
contest.


The points you raised were also the things I was looking for in a new
Mini Van. But only one Mini Van met those criteria, the Honda Odyssey.
Low C of G, short coupled between ball hitch and rear independent
suspension. Powerful and fun to drive, comfortable and reasonably good
on gas. In any case I found it handled the Schreder trailer as well as
a Cobra unit, The Schreder trailer Van combination use more gas then
the cobra trailer combo.

With the currant cobra trailer I noted a difference, even though this
one is newer and has shocks. It was not as stable as the other cobra
trailer. Lucky for me I marked my drive way for my first cobra
trailer wheels. I noticed that the trailer was to close to the
garage door. It turns out the wheels are to far forward by at least
10". Also the trailer hitch would not stay down when the trailer is
empty, which all other trailers did with about 15 lb down force
empty. I think that would explain the slightly less stable set-up
In time I will move the axle.

Udo


and everything will be fine" approaches. In addition to the obvious
things that have been written about in this thread (vehicle weights,
tongue weights, tires and tire pressures, etc.) there are _many_ other
significant factors in play. To name a few (very incomplete list):

--moment arm of the hitch ball to rear axle of the car (one of the most
significant from my experience)

--suspension dynamics of tow vehicle

--aerodynamic shape of the trailer

--combined aerodynamic interactions between tow vehicle and trailer

--environmental considerations where you tow ( prevailing wind, etc.)

--proximity to field effects of passing vehicles, etc.

--necessary or desired speed for trip

-- on and on.......

So to say that "Towing is simple. Follow these rules, and your rig will
be stable in all conditions and not need stabiliser hitch." is in my
experience a gross oversimplification.

Larry
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