[A/S] in an emergency ...

["bleipper" <rv@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

This canard seems to come up anytime there is a difference of opinion
in regards to rigging or tow equipment. 

There are other means to prepare for an emergency than just brute force. 

Not all of us like to drive tanks! With the size of the trailers many
of us have, it is impractical to use a tow vehicle that will overwhelm
them and a fiction to think that even a large truck can tell a trailer
what to do in a bona fide emergency.

For safety, and considering emergencies, there are some other
considerations to keep in mind. Here are a few.

-> In an emergency with a large RV, you do not want to engage in any
rapid maneuvers except perhaps a panic stop. You are not driving a
sports car. Any rapid change in direction is a recipe for disaster. 

-> Trailers have brakes because they cannot be controlled by hitch
forces alone (i.e. the tow vehicle). These brakes should allow the
trailer to stop as fast or faster than the tow vehicle would by
itself. They are your primary means of trailer control in unusual
situations.

-> You avoid emergencies by proper driving (You have to know your rig
and its limits) and by proper attention to all of the factors that
affect the safety and handling of your rig.

-> Not matter what you drive or how you drive, you still run a risk
anytime you get on the road (or get out of bed for that matter). There
is no magic bullet to minimize those risks.

Yes you want tow equipment that will comfortably pull your trailer
without undue stress or strain. Yes you want rigging, suspension,
tires, configuration and so on that will make your RV handle well (one
reason why we choose Airstreams!). But these goals can be achieved by
means other than using some high center of gravity over powered
monstrosity [ ;-) I am currently towing with a 190! ] that is
difficult to use to tour downtown or park in your average parking lot
when the trailer is left at camp.

So let's leave the 'in case of emergency ...' argument to discussions
about emergency preparedness rather than as a means to disagree about
someone's choice of tow vehicle. Let's be a bit more constructive in
our differences of opinion and be open to avenues for desired outcomes
other than those we hold dear for ourselves.