ACME vs American/Stehl - turning explanations needed
Hello all--
In a previous post I asked for input on a few different dollies.
Now I need assistance in understanding the differences in how they turn.
The ACME is rigid and uses the towed vehicles steering to make right and left hand turns. Steering wheel is left UNLOCKED. Not sure of the physics behind this and if the turning causes stresses on the towed vehicles suspension, body, chassis, steering, etc. Since the turning is not the same as if the towed vehicles wheels/tires were on ground turning, it seems as though there are different physics going on that I do not fully understand.
The American/Stehls and other dollies use a swivel platform whereby the towed vehicles wheels are strapped down and steering wheel is LOCKED. When turning under tow, the platforms swivel and the vehicles steering never moves. Not sure what actually swivels and could not find any videos or pics showing how this works. Again, the physics of this type of dolly are also not clear to me.
Seems that most dollies use a swivel platform and the ACME may be the only one using a rigid frame with no swiveling, relying on towed vehicles steering to be what steers dolly.
According to American: the ACME puts undue stress on the towed vehicles front suspension, body, chassis, etc. Tires also wear very fast, are small in size (10") and difficult to find replacements. LED lights are expensive to replace (they tend to break as all others from kids, bicycles hitting them, storage accidents, etc.... where American lights are easily found at Walmart and much less expensive). And finally, the surge brakes experience quick failure from all of the debris tossed at them from being towed behind motor home (I am assuming exposed calipers vs enclosed drums)
So, what gives with all of this?
Swivel or no swivel AND why yes or no to each style?
In a previous post I asked for input on a few different dollies.
Now I need assistance in understanding the differences in how they turn.
The ACME is rigid and uses the towed vehicles steering to make right and left hand turns. Steering wheel is left UNLOCKED. Not sure of the physics behind this and if the turning causes stresses on the towed vehicles suspension, body, chassis, steering, etc. Since the turning is not the same as if the towed vehicles wheels/tires were on ground turning, it seems as though there are different physics going on that I do not fully understand.
The American/Stehls and other dollies use a swivel platform whereby the towed vehicles wheels are strapped down and steering wheel is LOCKED. When turning under tow, the platforms swivel and the vehicles steering never moves. Not sure what actually swivels and could not find any videos or pics showing how this works. Again, the physics of this type of dolly are also not clear to me.
Seems that most dollies use a swivel platform and the ACME may be the only one using a rigid frame with no swiveling, relying on towed vehicles steering to be what steers dolly.
According to American: the ACME puts undue stress on the towed vehicles front suspension, body, chassis, etc. Tires also wear very fast, are small in size (10") and difficult to find replacements. LED lights are expensive to replace (they tend to break as all others from kids, bicycles hitting them, storage accidents, etc.... where American lights are easily found at Walmart and much less expensive). And finally, the surge brakes experience quick failure from all of the debris tossed at them from being towed behind motor home (I am assuming exposed calipers vs enclosed drums)
So, what gives with all of this?
Swivel or no swivel AND why yes or no to each style?
