towing

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   I have spent a lot of time trying to figure out towing. They ought to offer a course in it in junior college. Here's what I have surmised. But those of you who are still learning you need to science the crap out of it yourselves - dont trust me cause my head is still spinning from all this stuff.
1.Car/truck dealers dont know squat about towing and that includes the mechanic dept. 
2. RV dealers know a lot about towing but have a conflicting agenda to sell RVs.
3. The max trailer weight spec should not be exceeded.
4. Trailer tongue weight should be 10 - 15% of trailer weight 
5. Trailer tong weight can be controlled by moving cargo around.
6. WD hitch can increase the TV tong weight capability.
7. WD is not needed if the trailer is not near the max trailer spec if the rig is running near level
8. Frontal area matters for stress on the TV engine & trans  and mpg
9. Streamlined trailer can increase the frontal area capability of the TV.
10. How ,where you are going to use the trailer will affect performance.
11. Different people may or may not be satisfied with that performance (EX. driving at 55mph instead of 75).
12. Trailer brakes and sway control are important.
13. There are as many opinions on line as there are electrons in the internet.
14. Most credible on line opinions are those experienced with your type TV and TT
15 Finally as an engineer I can tell you that any engineer worth his salt who is designing anything always throws a considerable fudge factor into specifications and 150% is not uncommon.

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malkbean2 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 31 Jan 2017 Online Status: Offline Posts: 80	Topic: towing Posted: 03 Mar 2017 at 1:22pm
	I have spent a lot of time trying to figure out towing. They ought to offer a course in it in junior college. Here's what I have surmised. But those of you who are still learning you need to science the crap out of it yourselves - dont trust me cause my head is still spinning from all this stuff. 1.Car/truck dealers dont know squat about towing and that includes the mechanic dept. 2. RV dealers know a lot about towing but have a conflicting agenda to sell RVs. 3. The max trailer weight spec should not be exceeded. 4. Trailer tongue weight should be 10 - 15% of trailer weight 5. Trailer tong weight can be controlled by moving cargo around. 6. WD hitch can increase the TV tong weight capability. 7. WD is not needed if the trailer is not near the max trailer spec if the rig is running near level 8. Frontal area matters for stress on the TV engine & trans and mpg 9. Streamlined trailer can increase the frontal area capability of the TV. 10. How ,where you are going to use the trailer will affect performance. 11. Different people may or may not be satisfied with that performance (EX. driving at 55mph instead of 75). 12. Trailer brakes and sway control are important. 13. There are as many opinions on line as there are electrons in the internet. 14. Most credible on line opinions are those experienced with your type TV and TT 15 Finally as an engineer I can tell you that any engineer worth his salt who is designing anything always throws a considerable fudge factor into specifications and 150% is not uncommon.

mcarter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 07 Apr 2016 Location: Greenbrier, TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 3419	Posted: 03 Mar 2017 at 4:35pm
	Funny, I agree with you. This isn't high school stuff, good, responsible haulers know there is a lot to towing safely. This forum is one of the best if not the best to discuss or learn more about safe practices, there are a number of engineers of all types on here and a number of seasoned pros. A lot of what I learned about towing came from experience, and a lot of that came from bad experience. Unfortunately some in the retail, just like to see the thing leave the lot, be it a car, truck or RV.
	Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

Leo B Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 13 Jan 2012 Location: Lyndonville, VT Online Status: Offline Posts: 4517	Posted: 03 Mar 2017 at 4:36pm
	Nice summary!!
	Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171

Moose Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 22 Feb 2017 Location: Georgia Online Status: Offline Posts: 23	Posted: 03 Mar 2017 at 8:24pm
	so true...LOL

fwunder Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 04 Oct 2013 Location: New Jersey Online Status: Offline Posts: 1676	Posted: 03 Mar 2017 at 9:04pm
	Great list. If I may add: 16. At least once every other time you hitch or unhitch, you will get a spot of grease on hands, legs or some article of clothing. 17. Wife will be sure to point out said grease. fred
	2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!

Leo B Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 13 Jan 2012 Location: Lyndonville, VT Online Status: Offline Posts: 4517	Posted: 04 Mar 2017 at 6:02am
	so true!
	Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171

StephenH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6326	Posted: 04 Mar 2017 at 7:24am
	18. Pack disposable nitrile gloves (Harbor Freight sells them at a good price). They are useful for many things like hitching and unhitching and dealing with the sewage hose (AKA the stinky slinky).
	StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

Blue Highways Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 20 Sep 2016 Location: NC mountains Online Status: Offline Posts: 84	Posted: 04 Mar 2017 at 7:56am
	Excellent thread you started, MB2.... plus all the good comments that followed... I've been contemplating that another factor of good towing experiences is connected to one's developed skill in predictive driving. (which I'm sure we all have). Now weather and traction? That can be a different thing. Common scenario: you're moving along smoothly in the stream of traffic, burning your 13.5 m.p.g's of fuel. A big rig rumbles by, mixed with two amped-up drivers sort of playing horsepower tag with each other. (We've all seen it.) Everyone ahead is cresting the next hill in a collective clump; banked curve afterwards to the right. Just as they all drop over, 3 out of 5 vehicles still in view flash their brake lights. Response: off on the throttle a touch, finish the move to the right lane (before bypassing the debris of a centerline tire shred); ....open up space for the steadily-gaining 5th wheel to complete the pass. Grow the open space cushion. Eye the hazard button position. TANGLE UP: Damage here & there; one trailer with 2 bicycles softly (but sadly) laid over in the median grass, TV still upright....everyone's emerging from their various vehicles on foot OK. Lots of help around. Thankful for trailer brakes. Roll past the scene unscathed, behind the 5th wheel family. Later in the evening: (back at the campsite following grocery supply-run): "dang. Trailer ball grease got me again !...." <sorry, had to throw that in.) As my old friend Jim B. always says..... "Keep it safe out there...." ----------------------- 17 HRE 179 (WanderPod) BG (10 Tundra CM) B & L Nottingham Western NC

StephenH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6326	Posted: 04 Mar 2017 at 8:16am
	Put on disposable gloves. Take paper towels along when unhitching to wipe grease off ball and WDH pivot points. Slide cover on ball. Remove gloves when done. Voila! no trailer grease on clothing.
	StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

cjscinta Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 21 Nov 2016 Location: Franklin, TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 84	Posted: 04 Mar 2017 at 10:00am
	Newbie here. Grease vs no grease. The dealer told me not to use grease. Negligible benefit and gets everywhere. What is your experience? Also,when I was hooking up the other day I got the coupler to drop down on the ball but could not for the life of me lock it down. Raised it up and down, moved the truck back and forth to no avail. What do you think the problem was? My driveway is not level so I towed it to a flat spot and still couldn't get it. I hooked up the weight distribution and pulled it anyway cause I only had a short distance but obviously not a safe or acceptable option. Any ideas? It worked when I picked it up.
	2017 R-pod 179