Re: [VAC] SUV"s for towing

["terry tyler" <tylerbears@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

John, without such a hitch, you lighten the front wheels of the tow 
vehicle, a situation that gets worse when you're braking  AND gets 
doubly worse when you're braking or steering on a rain soaked road. 

A simple measurement is to park your vehicle on macadam and with a 
yard stick, measure the distance from the wheel well trim strip to 
the ground. With a piece of chalk, write the number of inches on 
the macadam beside that wheel. Do the same on both sides, front and
back. 

Then, put the trailer on the hitch ball without using the equalizing
hitch. Retract the jack as though ready for traveling. Next, measure 
the distance from the wheel well trim strip to the ground. With a piece
of chalk, write the number of inches on the macadam beside that wheel.
Do the same on both sides, front and back. 

Analyse the data. If the front end of the truck is higher with the 
hitch on the ball, then your opportunity for hydroplaning on wet 
roads has just increased. You can be cavalier about it and discount
the amount as irrelevant. That may not be the most prudent decision.

Terry