Oct-18-2013 01:30 AM
Oct-20-2013 06:23 AM
Oct-19-2013 10:55 PM
The Dung Beetles wrote:
Ahhhhh! Like that concept a lot! We are going to hit the Seattle RV show in Feb 6-9. I hope they have some display units there with this concept. Hub would love to get a better look at that. I'm a super cautious/wary driver but... bad things can and do happen fast. My hope once I retire is to be RVing at least 3 -4 months out of the year. It never hurts to have as many safety features as possible when on the open roads. Thanks!
Oct-19-2013 02:06 PM
gmw photos wrote:
Here in north america, the sway control issue is often addressed by designing the required geometry into the weight distributing head. In effect, what we get is the ability to tailor in the varying amounts ( the correct amount ) of weight distribution ( both restoring weight to steer axle and also transferring weight to the trailer axle(s), plus we are able to control sway at the same time.
I don't know what the percentages are industry wide here in NA, but I would guess that a majority of folks here use some form of weight distribution and mechanical sway control. Also, a fairly large percentage of tow vehicles here are body on frame construction, which lends itself readily to using a mechanical WD system. They work very well in actual practice when setup correctly.
Oct-19-2013 01:57 PM
Oct-19-2013 01:20 PM
Francesca Knowles wrote:
I didn't realize it was an Aussie invention- isn't it also used in Europe? Thought I read about it on a Caravan site based in GB.
In any case, wherever it came from, it's brilliant. Brains instead of brawn- that's the ticket!
Oct-19-2013 01:17 PM
RobertRyan wrote:Francesca Knowles wrote:
From what I can see of the underside of the trailer in the O.P. (below), it looks like the trailer may have Al-Ko's very ingenious braking system that does practically all the work- and even the thinking- of stopping the trailer.
When equipped with "ATC", it even automatically controls sway by brake application. Demonstration at this link
I think this to be a much more efficient sway control method than the cumbersome hardware so many depend on in North American built trailers.
Francesca it was developed by Al Ko's development facility in Melbourne, that is why a lot of local Caravans are being fitted with it.Notice the braking and avoidance ability of the car towed lightweight sedan.
Al Ko Australian Research Centre stability control
Oct-19-2013 01:11 PM
Francesca Knowles wrote:
From what I can see of the underside of the trailer in the O.P. (below), it looks like the trailer may have Al-Ko's very ingenious braking system that does practically all the work- and even the thinking- of stopping the trailer.
When equipped with "ATC", it even automatically controls sway by brake application. Demonstration at this link
I think this to be a much more efficient sway control method than the cumbersome hardware so many depend on in North American built trailers.
Oct-19-2013 11:19 AM
Oct-19-2013 11:03 AM
Oct-19-2013 10:54 AM
Francesca Knowles wrote:The Dung Beetles wrote:
Sure.. it can tow it because it rolls ... but can it STOP IT??? Having hauled a lot of horses around the PNW (live shifting weight) - STOPPING is my fear of that set up!
.
One of the important differences in overseas-designed trailers is the way braking is provided for.
From what I can see of the underside of the trailer in the O.P. (below), it looks like the trailer may have Al-Ko's very ingenious braking system that does practically all the work- and even the thinking- of stopping the trailer.
When equipped with "ATC", it even automatically controls sway by brake application. Demonstration at this link
I think this to be a much more efficient sway control method than the cumbersome hardware so many depend on in North American built trailers.
Oct-19-2013 10:13 AM
The Dung Beetles wrote:
Sure.. it can tow it because it rolls ... but can it STOP IT??? Having hauled a lot of horses around the PNW (live shifting weight) - STOPPING is my fear of that set up!
.
Oct-19-2013 10:00 AM
Oct-19-2013 09:58 AM
Oct-19-2013 06:47 AM
MontanaCamper wrote:
When we were over in the UK visiting my wifes brother and his family. Their neighbor had a boxy square diesel wagon that towed a 22' single axle trailer..he said he towed it up to Ireland, we were in Edinburgh. I asked him how it towed, he said we didn't set any land speed records, but were not the slowest either...they don't push it. He had 14" brakes (metric of course..I measured with a US dollar bill. I told him what I towed with and what I towed (pic below) he said hop in..we will take it for ride and get a nip...soon as we got in the country he let me drive...Man, that boxy square wagon was snappy...lots of horse power. Was a 4 banger with a turbo and a 5 speed. Felt a lot like my friends supra when I was shifting through the gears.
UK's cars have a lot more spunk then the US that's for sure...I'm sure the Ozzy's are the same...
made this disbeliever...believe.....
Oct-19-2013 06:36 AM
Doug33 wrote:
The major issue with towing using a car nowadays is not necessarily the power, it is that they are not actually framed vehicles.