On ANOther forum there's a pic of what happens if you load a trailer rear heavy:-
linky.
This shows what happens when the weight distribution's incorrect linky - scary or what?
I have to admit I did this once when the car I wanted to tow was too long for the trailer but fortunately only did 1/2 mile before deciding it was too
unstable.
quote:Originally posted by Andy D
If the black car on the trailer is front engined, loading it rear first will make the trailer very tail heavy.. snakey snakey!
I must admit I had a brown trouser moment when i was bringing the GKD home from its registration inspection, I nearly got sideswiped by an artic and
the swerve put me into a snake at 60mph, The trailer was only (just) big enough for the kit and a home brew affair. My dad whos an artic driver had
always told me in this situation to back off the accelerator and let it disipate and do not touch the brakes. However i was on the M77 dropping down
the hill towards Glasgow at the time so it wanted to run away. Luckily it recovered after a few weaves and a very oh so gentle touch of brakes. I was
shaking afterwards, my newly IVA'd and inspected toy very nearly never made it onto the road.
That trailer got cut up for scrap after that and a much better one built! I also took a lot of time to understand the dynamics of the loading of it
and got the weight distribution spot on.
I was once travelling along a road in Norfolk and saw a car towing a caravan coming towards me that was snaking badly , I pulled completely off the
road to let it pass. The woman driving the car look absolutely terrified. Not sure of the outcome.
Have witnessed the aftermath of two caravan towing accidents, one tow vehicle on its side, the other on its roof. Both Landrovers, a defender and a
disco. So yes towing can be risky business if you don't use your loaf.
quote:Originally posted by Wadders
Have witnessed the aftermath of two caravan towing accidents, one tow vehicle on its side, the other on its roof. Both Landrovers, a defender and a
disco. So yes towing can be risky business if you don't use your loaf.
There are two problems with big Landies
1) The view is 'it'll tow anything so i dont have to think about it' which leads to poor loading
2) The massive rear overhang (particularly discos) which make them particularly sensitive
I towed a poorly designed, empty box car transporter with a Disco 2 and it was a bit scary! Above 50mph any sort of crosswind had it going. The same
trailer behind a SWB Vito was no problem at all.
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So yes towing can be risky business if you don't use your loaf.
