Secondary Transportation Advice

DougE wrote:
I didn't mean to get your panties in a bunch Davydd. Out of 3 pages of posts I have 1 OK and 1 NO. Likewise no response to the toad question. Believe me, I will load it up and take a test run to feel it out. I've done this with other rigs in the past. Some folks won't run Hwy 1 in California. I was quite comfortable in a Class A pulling a toad. Folks have different comfort levels. Davydd - how far was the center of your load from the bumper and are you familiar with the polar moment of inertia concept? Were you using a carrier because you already had your van loaded to the gills? I'm a single traveler and my unit will be lightly loaded.

Lightly loaded is no help. Think teeter totter. That's something we learned at an early age.

If you want to pull a toad, that's a different topic and dynamic, and easily done. You can pull theoretically 5000 lbs with a T1N Sprinter. However, if I had to resort to pulling anything I would not own a Class B. That to me negates all the main advantages and you might as well go with a bigger RV and have the comforts of space at sometimes a cheaper price.

After doing your calculations and getting it attached, you still have to get an Engineers certificate here, that the modification is safe. Your word is not enough.

I didn't mean to get your panties in a bunch Davydd. Out of 3 pages of posts I have 1 OK and 1 NO. Likewise no response to the toad question. Believe me, I will load it up and take a test run to feel it out. I've done this with other rigs in the past. Some folks won't run Hwy 1 in California. I was quite comfortable in a Class A pulling a toad. Folks have different comfort levels. Davydd - how far was the center of your load from the bumper and are you familiar with the polar moment of inertia concept? Were you using a carrier because you already had your van loaded to the gills? I'm a single traveler and my unit will be lightly loaded.

Davydd wrote:
I answered from EXPERIENCE. It was not the answer you wanted to hear. So why don't you buy the T1N Sprinter you mentioned, get a carrier and put your 400 lb. scooter on it. Then come back and tell us YOUR experience.

Could you help me find the " like" button please?

I answered from EXPERIENCE. It was not the answer you wanted to hear. So why don't you buy the T1N Sprinter you mentioned, get a carrier and put your 400 lb. scooter on it. Then come back and tell us YOUR experience.

The math is interesting. The "I think" cause thought. My original question was:
"Your experiences - good or bad?"
I'm an engineer. I've had every type of RV there is other than a 5th wheel or a "B".
I'm looking for people that have EXPERIENCE. What have you thrown on a carrier? What have you dragged behind you?

Gene - as you probably know, that's an over-simplification since your pivot point is sprung and there are yet more factors involved in the manufacturer's recommendation, but it's good enough as a rule of thumb. So going your way:
WB=170". Axle to Bumper=63.5". Say bumper to ball=9.5". Added length to scooter=7".
500x(170+63.5+9.5)/170= 715# on rear axle rated.
(385+50)x(170+63.5+9.5+7)/170= 640# on rear axle proposed.
By your approach, and assuming the receiver itself is capable, I would be OK.
But - part of the reason I'm posting this is to get real world experiences rather than opinions.

Davydd wrote:
I drove with a heavy load the first time and kept taking stuff out until the handling and steering felt right again. That left about 150 lbs which left me with the rule of thumb that carrier and goods should weigh not much more than 250-300 lbs max on a T1N Sprinter.

That is called the scientific method....experimentation.

Maybe a visual would explain the seesaw effect. Pretend the fulcrum is the rear axle. Distance D1 times weight or force F1 must equal Distance D2 times weight or force F2. I do not think calculus is needed.

My fat ass in the driver's seat will cancel out the 217# reduction on the front axle.