Truck vs Car as a tow vehicle

On Thursday, October 29, 2020 at 4:41:08 AM UTC-7, wrote:
On Wednesday, October 28, 2020 at 10:30:16 PM UTC-7, 2G wrote:
On Tuesday, October 27, 2020 at 6:43:15 PM UTC-7, wrote:
On Sunday, October 25, 2020 at 11:23:41 AM UTC-7, Chris Behm wrote:
I am wondering how often a truck for towing a glider trailer might be an advantage? I have yet to buy my first glider, but of course and thinking that the next vehicle I purchase should be a good one to tow with (Incidentally, thinking of the GMC/Chevy Canyon/Colorado, with the 2.8L inline 4 diesel).
But I am wondering how often that a truck is a better choice, all things considered.

Thanks.

Regards,
"Target"

I tow with a 1997 F150 and a Lexus RX300 SUV which is AWD and has a tow package. They both do a pretty good job towing my single seat glider in a Komet trailer. I prefer the Lexus as it drives nicer and you can haul the guys to dinner when out on an encampment. There’s plenty of room in the back with the seats folded down for equipment.

I would recommend 4WD/AWD pickup or mid size SUV. Make sure it comes with a tow package in either case.
AWD is significantly different from 4WD - AWD delivers power only to the rear wheels until traction is lost, then it transfers power to the other wheels. 4WD delivers power to all wheels, regardless of whether or not they have traction. In the time period that AWD senses traction loss and transfers power, you can lose control.

Tom
I was thinking about when you need to get in that muddy pasture or farmers field. I typically drive my F150 in 2WD. No control issues at all.

The time will come when you realize that you need 4WD because you will be stuck. I needed 4WD just to get into my backyard. It came in particularly handy when I did a long retrieve in Nevada and was in 4WD for 50-60 miles of back roads, some of which were flooded. Remember, you only need one bad point to get stuck.

Tom

Remember also two truisms about 4WD: 4WD gets you further in before you
get stuck, and ALL vehicles (these days) have 4 wheel brakes (that's for
all the 4WD guys that jam the throttle on icy roads).

Dan
5J

On 10/29/20 9:36 AM, 2G wrote:
On Thursday, October 29, 2020 at 4:41:08 AM UTC-7, wrote:
On Wednesday, October 28, 2020 at 10:30:16 PM UTC-7, 2G wrote:
On Tuesday, October 27, 2020 at 6:43:15 PM UTC-7, wrote:
On Sunday, October 25, 2020 at 11:23:41 AM UTC-7, Chris Behm wrote:
I am wondering how often a truck for towing a glider trailer might be an advantage? I have yet to buy my first glider, but of course and thinking that the next vehicle I purchase should be a good one to tow with (Incidentally, thinking of the GMC/Chevy Canyon/Colorado, with the 2.8L inline 4 diesel).
But I am wondering how often that a truck is a better choice, all things considered.

Thanks.

Regards,
"Target"

I tow with a 1997 F150 and a Lexus RX300 SUV which is AWD and has a tow package. They both do a pretty good job towing my single seat glider in a Komet trailer. I prefer the Lexus as it drives nicer and you can haul the guys to dinner when out on an encampment. There’s plenty of room in the back with the seats folded down for equipment.

I would recommend 4WD/AWD pickup or mid size SUV. Make sure it comes with a tow package in either case.
AWD is significantly different from 4WD - AWD delivers power only to the rear wheels until traction is lost, then it transfers power to the other wheels. 4WD delivers power to all wheels, regardless of whether or not they have traction. In the time period that AWD senses traction loss and transfers power, you can lose control.

Tom
I was thinking about when you need to get in that muddy pasture or farmers field. I typically drive my F150 in 2WD. No control issues at all.

The time will come when you realize that you need 4WD because you will be stuck. I needed 4WD just to get into my backyard. It came in particularly handy when I did a long retrieve in Nevada and was in 4WD for 50-60 miles of back roads, some of which were flooded. Remember, you only need one bad point to get stuck.

Tom

On Thursday, October 29, 2020 at 9:31:24 AM UTC-7, Dan Marotta wrote:
Remember also two truisms about 4WD: 4WD gets you further in before you
get stuck, and ALL vehicles (these days) have 4 wheel brakes (that's for
all the 4WD guys that jam the throttle on icy roads).

Dan
5J

On 10/29/20 9:36 AM, 2G wrote:
On Thursday, October 29, 2020 at 4:41:08 AM UTC-7, wrote:
On Wednesday, October 28, 2020 at 10:30:16 PM UTC-7, 2G wrote:
On Tuesday, October 27, 2020 at 6:43:15 PM UTC-7, wrote:
On Sunday, October 25, 2020 at 11:23:41 AM UTC-7, Chris Behm wrote:
I am wondering how often a truck for towing a glider trailer might be an advantage? I have yet to buy my first glider, but of course and thinking that the next vehicle I purchase should be a good one to tow with (Incidentally, thinking of the GMC/Chevy Canyon/Colorado, with the 2.8L inline 4 diesel).
But I am wondering how often that a truck is a better choice, all things considered.

Thanks.

Regards,
"Target"

I tow with a 1997 F150 and a Lexus RX300 SUV which is AWD and has a tow package. They both do a pretty good job towing my single seat glider in a Komet trailer. I prefer the Lexus as it drives nicer and you can haul the guys to dinner when out on an encampment. There’s plenty of room in the back with the seats folded down for equipment.

I would recommend 4WD/AWD pickup or mid size SUV. Make sure it comes with a tow package in either case.
AWD is significantly different from 4WD - AWD delivers power only to the rear wheels until traction is lost, then it transfers power to the other wheels. 4WD delivers power to all wheels, regardless of whether or not they have traction. In the time period that AWD senses traction loss and transfers power, you can lose control.

Tom
I was thinking about when you need to get in that muddy pasture or farmers field. I typically drive my F150 in 2WD. No control issues at all.

The time will come when you realize that you need 4WD because you will be stuck. I needed 4WD just to get into my backyard. It came in particularly handy when I did a long retrieve in Nevada and was in 4WD for 50-60 miles of back roads, some of which were flooded. Remember, you only need one bad point to get stuck.

Tom


Sounds more like urban myths to me. I have heard similar things said about open class gliders. I have used my 4WD vehicles MANY times to avoid getting stuck and spinning out, especially when I was skiing. With 2WD once you have lost traction on either driven wheel you ARE stuck or are spinning out because of how the differential works. 4WD, however, is not a substitute for common sense.

Tom

On Sunday, November 1, 2020 at 9:20:07 PM UTC-5, 2G wrote:
With 2WD once you have lost traction on either driven wheel
you ARE stuck or are spinning out because of how the differential works.

Incorrect for modern vehicles equipped with limited-slip differentials...

I've towed many years and many miles with both a Toyota Tacoma and Acura MDX. Both towed my gliders very well. Choose a vehicle that best suits your off gliding needs that is also robust enough to tow. FWIW.
Craig

Dave Nadler wrote on 11/2/2020 6:27 AM:
On Sunday, November 1, 2020 at 9:20:07 PM UTC-5, 2G wrote:
With 2WD once you have lost traction on either driven wheel
you ARE stuck or are spinning out because of how the differential works.

Incorrect for modern vehicles equipped with limited-slip differentials...

And with various styles of "electronic stability control", which use methods like braking the
spinning wheel to allow the differential to send power to the wheel with traction.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to email me)
- "A Guide to Self-Launching Sailplane Operation"
https://sites.google.com/site/motorg...ad-the-guide-1

On Monday, November 2, 2020 at 11:49:02 AM UTC-5, Eric Greenwell wrote:
Dave Nadler wrote on 11/2/2020 6:27 AM:
On Sunday, November 1, 2020 at 9:20:07 PM UTC-5, 2G wrote:
With 2WD once you have lost traction on either driven wheel
you ARE stuck or are spinning out because of how the differential works.

Incorrect for modern vehicles equipped with limited-slip differentials...

And with various styles of "electronic stability control", which use methods like braking the
spinning wheel to allow the differential to send power to the wheel with traction.
--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to email me)
- "A Guide to Self-Launching Sailplane Operation"
https://sites.google.com/site/motorg...oad-the-guide-

In 15 years I have had 10 off - airport landouts in a TX-PA-FL triangle. None required 4wd, though one benefited from the high clearance a truck or truck-based SUV would provide. Thanks, KG!

On Monday, November 2, 2020 at 7:10:34 PM UTC-5, Tony wrote:
In 15 years I have had 10 off - airport landouts in a TX-PA-FL triangle.

Thats a hell of a triangle Tony!
Is it on OLC??

On Monday, November 2, 2020 at 4:10:34 PM UTC-8, Tony wrote:
On Monday, November 2, 2020 at 11:49:02 AM UTC-5, Eric Greenwell wrote:
Dave Nadler wrote on 11/2/2020 6:27 AM:
On Sunday, November 1, 2020 at 9:20:07 PM UTC-5, 2G wrote:
With 2WD once you have lost traction on either driven wheel
you ARE stuck or are spinning out because of how the differential works.

Incorrect for modern vehicles equipped with limited-slip differentials...

And with various styles of "electronic stability control", which use methods like braking the
spinning wheel to allow the differential to send power to the wheel with traction.
--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to email me)
- "A Guide to Self-Launching Sailplane Operation"
https://sites.google.com/site/motorg...oad-the-guide-

In 15 years I have had 10 off - airport landouts in a TX-PA-FL triangle. None required 4wd, though one benefited from the high clearance a truck or truck-based SUV would provide. Thanks, KG!

I have had several, including the one I mentioned that was on 50 miles of bad roads. Plus, it is very handy in wintertime (even in TX). The bottom line is you never know in advance if you need it.

Tom

On Monday, November 2, 2020 at 6:27:33 AM UTC-8, Dave Nadler wrote:
On Sunday, November 1, 2020 at 9:20:07 PM UTC-5, 2G wrote:
With 2WD once you have lost traction on either driven wheel
you ARE stuck or are spinning out because of how the differential works.

Incorrect for modern vehicles equipped with limited-slip differentials...

Limited-slip differentials are primarily used on 2WD sports cars. 4WD is a MUCH better option: if you lose traction on one wheel you have 3 others providing traction vs one. I haven't seen any SUVs where this is an option, anyway.