[A/S] Re: VW Touareg towing an Airstream

["alabmwstretch" <alabmwstretch@xxxxxxxxx>]

My "bicycle" is a 94 Ford crew cab long bed power stroke Diesel with 
a 5 speed manual trans. The wheelbase fits better into the formula 
to eliminate the dreaded swaying which causes so many accidents with 
private tow vehicles. I drive a class 8 semi truck and trailer for 
my living. I understand there is no substitute for wheelbase 
distance between the tow vehicle and the weight center of the 
trailer. The inheirant design of a semi with the trailer wheels all 
the way at the rear is best, BUT this puts an equal amount of the 
trailer weight on the tow vehicle as on the trailer wheels. Our 
typical weight is around 11,500 on the steer wheels, 30,000 to 
34,000 on the drive axles and then anything under 34,000 on the 
trailer axles. The unladen empty weight of our tractor is right at 
16,000. If one compares those percentages to what is seen in travel 
trailers there is no wonder why the typical travel trailer accident 
occurs from high speed whipping actions. 
A typical travel trailer only puts at maximum 1,000 pounds on the 
tow vehicle yet has a gross weight of at least nearly equal to that 
of the tow vehicle if not greater. That 1,000# represents much less 
than an amount equal to what the trailer wheels carry. Also having 
an overhang way beyond the trailer axles, with a great deal, near = 
percentage, of weight, is a further contributor to unstable whipping 
at speed. Part of the appeal of Airstreams is their weight balance 
and ease of towing. They are far more stable than many other brands.
This basic design does however make all travel trailers inheirently 
unstable. To my way of thinking there is no substitute for a long 
whelbase and wide stance. I, however, don't have dual rear wheels. 
It seems to me that most of the trucks which also are driven as 
other than tow vehicles the fenders over the dual wheels get knocked 
off. Drive safely whether towing your Airstream or riding your 
bicycle.
Stretch Hendrix