[VAC] Re: New to a '64 Globetrotter

["Jim Dunmyer" <jdunmyer@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Bill,
 You won't be saving much money when you smoke the transmission in that
Toyota.

Another thing to remember about "Engine Power" is that there's 'power', and
then there's 'Power'. Today's "200 HP engines" will provide that output
while merging down that OnRamp, foot on the floor for maybe 10 seconds or
so. Hang a trailer behind it, and head up that hill where you have to keep
the throttle open for several minutes straight, and it's a different story.
You'll soon find out that the cooling system is totally inadaquet, and
that's just for starters. I have some old tractors around here that have
radiators several times the size of those on a small vehicle, and the
engines are under 50 HP rating. Difference being that the tractor can
provide that power all day long.

The other thing is that a typical SUV-type vehicle isn't really built to
tow. They're built LIGHT, so as to maximize fuel economy and performance
when driven in their normal mode. (1 or 2 passengers, over the road) The
axle ratios are way too low (numerically) for good towing performance and
the brakes are too small.

You're right that you don't need a lot of horsepower to tow with,
semi-tractors of 40 years ago had less than 200 HP. BUT: they had the
gearing, cooling, and brakes to handle a load, things that an SUV doesn't
have.

I'm not saying that everyone needs a one-ton dually pickup to haul a 4000#
GlobeTrotter, they don't. But the least a person should do is look at the
manufacturer's tow ratings and stay well within them. Bear in mind that the
manufacturer is probably rating his vehicle on the optimistic side.

                                                 <<Jim>>