Re: [a/s] My First Tow: A Lesson in Fear

[TOM WALDEN <twalden1@xxxxxxxx>]

Warren,
The bare minimum for the tow vehicle and the trailer you have is not
merely a ball hitch - unless you are towing it nice and slow to the RV
faciility/garage to install weight distributing hitch and anti-sway
device.  You will have noted the posts telling you you need a bigger tow
vehicle, too.  If you can afford to get a Hensley, go ahead; but, if
not, get a weight distributing hitch with good anti-sway system.  The
brake lights may go on even though the brakes themselves aren't
operating.  Check to see if they are working while your partner hits the
pedal.  If there is a brake control device, try different settings.  A
small trailer can be towed without brakes (it can still jackknife, tho);
yours should be towed without brakes only to the garage where they are
going to fix them. 
This is from someone who has towed Vintage units from all over the
country and made a few dumb judgment calls.  I just towed my 55 Safari
from Moscow, Idaho to Clearwater.  My brother's truck had no weight
distributing setup, his tow package had no brake outlet and there were
of course, no antisway devices.  I felt relatively ok about towing the
22 foot trailer empty.  My brother (who had previously towed only a
small pop up trailer) insisted he drive.  The trailer handles so well
and the big ford pickup was so heavy that he didn't get it.  He was
taking the Lewiston grade with one hand while feeding the dog ice cream
on a spoon with the other doing 55 mph down a grade that should be taken
in second gear.  My sister in law and I were not pleased.  Needless to
say, he won't have that opportunity ever again and I have reconsidered
his offer to fly me from the Spokane airport next time I am out for a
visit.  One idiot in front of us slamming on the brakes would have
caused the idiot driving us to do the same causing a jackknife and a
probable roll over down one of the steeper grades in the country.  Lady
Luck and the grace of God make it possible for me to be here to harass
you about your tow setup and encourage you to at least get the brakes
fixed before you go back home.
Tom