[A/S] Re: Tow vehicles for 32ft. & 34ft.

["bleipper" <rv@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

It is no wonder some 'discussions' can get rather heated!

While I value the opinions and tend to agree with the primary points
to some extent, I also think these are issues that do not need this
sort of hyperbole and easy to misconstrue assertion. I'd prefer a bit
less hubris ;-) (but hubris is only my perception so take it for what
its worth)

For instance, if your braking does not influence the motion of your
vehicle, what good are brakes? What happens when your input does not
generate 'normal' vehicle response (on a slick road for instance)? (I
think a part of this is a confusion between velocity and acceleration
because of how it was stated but can't tell for sure).

For another, if your load is loose the thin cab wall behind the
passenger compartment on a truck is not suitable armour in case of
disaster. The point is that people should always secure their load!
(the best solution I have seen in this regard is a sedan with a good
trunk)

I agree that the Hensley and Pullrite are good hitches but I think
your dismissal of the alternatives is perhaps a bit too strong. It is
one thing to try to understand the mechanism whereby a hitch improves
handling and yet another to assess the cost versus benefit they bring
to towing comfort and safety. Any survey of hitches on the road will
show that the HA and Pullrite are more in the luxury class than in the
necessity class as there are very very many people comfortable with
other choices. 

I find I can tow an Ambassador with a 'burb comfortably without
needing anything other than a load leveling hitch. I have also
determined that "oppose the truck turning the trailer as much as they
oppose the trailer turning the truck," while being a simple assertion
of a basic physics law, implies a false flaw (both with a friction
system and with the EQ). It is like worrying about what the HA does to
your steering judgment when trying to back around some obstables.

As far as sway and roll you are right on, there was an Airstream by
Bordertown with an orange hitch that was upside down by the road a few
months ago. The zephyrs around here are why there are warning signs
for high profile vehicles to get off the road at times.

Watching these forums for trends and patterns is also interesting.
Elsewhere I find the Prodigy tends to edge out the Jourdan in
popularity but here it is almost entirely Jourdan. That qualifies the
forum participants that needs to be carefully considered in evaluating
opinions, I think. (but there is always care needed not to confuse
correlation with causation!)