[VAL] Re: VAL Digest V1 #182 - Explorer tow vehicle?

[waymark1@xxxxxxxx]

Get the longest wheelbase, shortest rear overhang, heaviest tow vehicle
you can afford.
To pull our 8,000 GVW trailer (actual loaded weight 6,400#) we selected
the longest wheelbase (155"), shortest rear overhang (Chevy/GMC),
heaviest (1T rated, 7,200# loaded) vehicle we could afford, a Chevy
Express 1T long wheelbase van. We got a van for our large family. For a
small family a 3/4T or 1T long bed PU might be more suitable. We would
have liked a more powerful engine than the 350 but all the 454s and 496s
we found were cargo vans with no windows and only 2 seats. At least the
1T van has the heavy duty transmission and cooler that the 3/4T van does
not have.
We have never had any vestige of tailwagging even with no sway control.
We could get away with no weight distribution but it's better to have it
as it improves the grip of the tow vehicle's front wheels. The only
trouble we ever had was on glare ice and a tremendous side gust of wind
in the mountains.
It's best for your tow vehicle to outweigh your trailer (dog wags its
tail, not the tail wags the dog) but this isn't always practical.
I see Jeeps pulling BIG trailers and gargantuan boats. The Jeep with a
big V8 may have the power but it is too short and lightweight to be
stable. An accident looking for a place to happen in my opinion. The only
thing the Jeep has going for it is the very short rear overhang.
Wheelbase is WAY too short for anything more than a popup.
Al