Buy a trailer (instead of a pickup truck)

[freebeard]

It's either the distance from the hitch to the rear axle*, or that in ratio with the wheelbase.

Hatchback > big boat with a trunk.

*Actually, the hitch to axle distance ratioed to the hitch to trailer axle distance.

[PaleMelanesian]

My same 10 ft trailer is completely different behind the Fit or the Odyssey. Backing it up with the Fit is a dream. Behind the odyssey is challenging: it wants to jackknife so much more, and small changes in my steering send it off to the left or right a lot more.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by freebeard

It's either the distance from the hitch to the rear axle*, or that in ratio with the wheelbase.

No wonder tractor-trucks usually have not only a comparatively short wheelbase, but also either a much shorter rear overhang or nearly no rear overhang at all.

[freebeard]

Farm tractors have their hitch lower than the axle centerline in order to keep the front wheels on the ground.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by freebeard

Farm tractors have their hitch lower than the axle centerline in order to keep the front wheels on the ground.

That's a whole different situation, but anyway, most farm tractors resort to quite oversized rear wheels.

[freebeard]

I was comparing the effect from the angle. Maybe would be more on point for the tow bar angle thread.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by freebeard

I was comparing the effect from the angle. Maybe would be more on point for the tow bar angle thread.

Makes sense. Well, normal trucks often have the receiver hitch set at a lower position too, but it's more often when they're lifted and the trailer isn't high enough to either match the rear axle centerline or to be closer to it.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Too bad I wasn't able to take a picture, but today I saw a Renault Kwid pulling a trailer.

[GJKH]

yes, I tell folks to buy a trailer instead of a big truck. Most of the time they drive their trucks to get a loaf of bread at the grocery store. Many use a truck as a truck less than 5% of the time.

In any case, car trailers are more common in Europe, mainly because fuel is so expensive.

Still we should be conserving fuel now, and not wait until we "run low" on reserves. But that doesn't appear to be the mentality in general...."live large" is the mantra.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by GJKH

car trailers are more common in Europe, mainly because fuel is so expensive

Besides fuel costs, another aspect to consider is how the American market had been quite protectionist for the trucks made by domestic manufacturers.