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Old 04-09-2013, 08:49 AM   #12 (permalink)
slowmover
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Good thread idea. Folks need to know that their car/trucklet can do actual work (and they may be in circumstances that force it).

One can also see what U-Haul allows (interactive site). They have liabiity concerns weighted against profit. And their trailer designs ought to be studied for closer-to-innate understanding of what works best over the decades.

FWIW, "tow ratings" are usually too low for the majority of vehicles. If they are well set-up they can easily do the job. They also have little to do with reality (as auto manufacturers rig the game towards super high profit pickups).

A Crown Vic, for example, is easily capable of a 5k trailer. Same for minivans "rated" at 3500-lbs; they can tow a large aerodynamic trailer easily twice that weight (given hitch rigging that keeps the front axle planted).

FWIW, in this kind of discussion, I'd rather have an open trailer narrow/long over wide/short (for a given square foot trailer floor comparison). It is much easier to tow a trailer close to, or inside of, the tow vehicle width dimension.

Tandem axle, too, once the length is to a certain point. Trailer brakes, always, once trailer capacity is over 1k.

.

Last edited by slowmover; 04-09-2013 at 08:59 AM..
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