Tow me Down

[astraelraen]

I have no idea if the physics are accurate in this article, but I thought it was pretty interesting.

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/tow-me-down-1609112611

[RobertRyan]

Francesca Knowles wrote:
Interesting article, but I'm puzzled by the several references to a "60 mph speed limit" when towing in Europe. That's really only true in a very few countries over there- most restrict towing setups to around fifty mph. Link
A very sensible approach to the whole stability problem, I think.

theoretical in the UK and some other parts of Europe.You do see 70pmh plus. Yes supposed to be 55mph

[Keith_Haw]

Interesting. Don't know how factual the article is but I've always wondered how they get away doing what they do over there.

[Dog_Folks]

Don't they capitalize proper names such as "forester" across the pond?

The author claims to be a communications major. If he does not know how to capitalize, I have to wonder about his other "findings."

He also admits to having only one year in a mechanical engineering training.

[Francesca_Knowl]

Interesting article, but I'm puzzled by the several references to a "60 mph speed limit" when towing in Europe. That's really only true in a very few countries over there- most restrict towing setups to around fifty mph. Link

A very sensible approach to the whole stability problem, I think.

[mkirsch]

Love the, "We used to do it with the...." replies.

Maybe you did. It was a different time and place. Lots less traffic. Lots less distracted/fatigued/unskilled drivers on the road. Different vehicles. Lighter trailers (i.e. fewer "creature comforts"). Different attitudes (i.e. you didn't get shot for going slower than the flow of traffic, for example).

Bet if you could ask him now, Dad would probably admit that towing with that old wagon was pretty sketchy.

No doubt you got away with it, but that does not mean things were better back then.

[Campfire_Time]

Interesting article. Thanks for the link!

[sljkansas]

Yes, but the station wagons back then were full framed and had rear leaf springs.
My Dad pulled a travel trailer with Mom, Dad and 5 kids in the car. The last wagon was a 73 Ford wagon with the 460 C.I. and had coil springs, he traded it in on a 76 Suburban, because even with the W/D hitch he could not get the hitch setup to handle the trailer that the old wagon would. The suburban was a puller.
as a family we covered 46 of the 50 and across both borders pulling a camper.

Since then I have now completed the last 4 states. cross another one off the Bucket list.

[Community Alumni]

Back in the 60's we pulled travel trailers and race haulers with station wagons. :E

[RobertRyan]

astraelraen wrote:
I didn't necessarily mean the European/US standard difference, but some of the physics behind dampening forc
e / oscillation / sway and different speeds was pretty interesting if accurate.

A bit of exaggeration, but Euro Caravans can be pulled at 70mph with the proper friction damping

[astraelraen]

I didn't necessarily mean the European/US standard difference, but some of the physics behind dampening force / oscillation / sway and different speeds was pretty interesting if accurate.

[Old-Biscuit]

Interesting.....

IF I even go to Europe and tow I'll consider the difference.....but for now I'll stick to the US standards and let the Europeans use theirs.

Fact is I still use inches/feet vs centimeters/meters and MPH vs KPH