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

[Jim Dunmyer <jdunmyer@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Phil,
 We're arguing semantics.

TAKEN BY ITSELF, more tounge weight equals more stability. Right up
until the hitch breaks. :-(

Again, I was assuming that you had proper a weight distribution setup to
keep the front wheels of the tow vehicle on the ground, changing only
the tounge weight on the trailer. And of course, I was thinking in terms
of a fairly heavy tow vehicle such as a P/U truck, simply because that's
what *I* tow with.

The entire point of this discussion is to help the newbie get his
trailer and tow vehicle configured and equipped for safe towing. I think
we can all agree on these factors:

You MUST know what your trailer weighs, and you're wasting your time
asking about it here. You must take it to a motor truck scale and get it
actually weighed. The spring bars must be unhooked while weighing the
trailer alone, of course.

You MUST know what the tounge of your trailer weighs. Use either a
Sherline scale or a lever lashup with a bathroom scale. Or, weigh your
tow vehicle alone, alone but with the trailer hitched up, then the
entire rig. Do the math.

You MUST have a proper weight distribution hitch. Although it isn't
necessary to have a Hensley, PullRight, or Reese Dual-Cam hitch, any of
these is probably better than a standard weight distributing outfit.

None of the above is difficult or especially time-consuming, but all of
it is very important if you're to have a stable rig. All of it becomes
more critical as the size of your trailer increases; a 34' outfit needs
more care than a Bambi.

                                       <<Jim>>