In a message dated 98-10-25 20:25:10 EST, you write:

There does seem to be many factors to consider. It wasn't that long ago that the group was discussing the relationship between the length of the tow vehicle and the length of the trailer. As a newcomer at the time I naturally figured that was the main criteria. Now I am not so sure. After gathering opinions here on the matter of tow vehicles for over a month I would summarize the list of criteria as follows:

(1) wheelbase of the tow vehicle in relation to length of the trailer
(2) weight of the tow vehicle (1\2 - 3\4 ton)
(3) engine size \ horse power
(4) rear end gear ratio
(5) type of hitch
(6) towing experience and level of acceptable risk to the driver

Have I missed anything or explained it incorrectly?

If this is the list what is the most important criteria assuming you want to be prepared for anything? Or is this one of those times when the "right" combination can't really be defined and it comes down to experience and personal choice?

This is one area that those of us who are new really need the experience of those with lots of miles under their belt. Too much at stake so the opinions here (and one on one in other correspondence) are very much appreciated.

Brian
63 24'Safari
(and still thinking about a tow vehicle)

I believe cars are underrated as tow vehicles considering the current popularity of trucks and SUV's. A full size, rear wheel drive american car is roughly equivelant to a 1/2 ton truck in construction and if properly set up, can be a really nice tow vehicle. By properly set up, I mean a 3:73 or 4:10 rear axle, heavy duty, fade resistant brakes, big radiator and a transmission cooler and filter. It occurs to me that a used Cadillac would do fine. Some models had huge, high torque engines that should pull a trailer easily.

Late model Caddy's are one of the few cars left with a substantial tow rating. I would hesitate to use a car for anything larger than 25', preferring a 3/4 ton truck for larger ones.

Axle ratio is one of the most important factors in a tow vehicle. A low ratio, (high numerically) insulates the engine and drivetrain from the load so to speak by multiplying torque. A big engine might be able to tow with a high axle, but the strain on the transmission would be severe.

Stability of the tow vehicle is another consideration. In a perfect scenario the trailer would trail directly behind the tow vehicle. In the real world, trailers are constantly swaying back and forth. The slightest pebble on the road will deflect the trailer to the side till friction overcomes the sideways force. Then it swings back to the other side of center like a pendulum untill the friction damps out the oscillations and the trailer is centered again. On a smooth road this tiny swaying is unnoticed by the driver. Hit a little bit larger bump and the movement is felt a little. Get passed by a semi-truck and the movement is felt a lot! Stability of the trailer is determined by such factors as the center of gravity. and center of effort and their relationship to the pivot point (axle) and is beyond the scope of this rambling rant. (I like to have at least 10% of the gross weight as the hitch weight) Stability of the tow vehicle is largely dependent on the length of two levers, the distance from the trailer pivot, (usually the ball) to the tow vehicle's rear wheels and the distance from the rear wheels to the front wheels. (wheelbase) When the trailer sways back and forth it puts sideways torque on the ball and attempts to move the vehicle sideways. This is resisted by the rear wheels. If there is a long lever behind the wheels, the trailer can pivot the tow vehicle around the wheels and move the front side to side. The longer the distance from front to rear wheels, the more leverage the front wheels have to resist the movement. In other words, a long rear overhang is bad, and a long wheelbase is good. A Pullrite hitch is stable by virtue of having the pivot point near the rear axle and giving the swaying trailer, little leverage to exert on the tow vehicle's front wheels. (This is not an endorsement of Pullrite, just an observation)

Now, if only there was a hitch that would insulate the tow vehicle from the sideways swinging of the trailer tongue and insulate instinctive driver input from swaying the trailer, and selling for a reasonable price!!! ; ) Oh well, thats another story altogether.

Hope this semi-coherent musing has been of some value, if only to amuse!

Jerry D
70 Safari