In Cab Operated Electric Telescoping Trailer Tongue

[slowmover]

Problems in Towing come with maintaining straight-line stability. Overly forward COG contributes.

Too Fast for Conditions can happen in seconds.

I’m not qualified to say whether or not your idea will work. But I’m not comfortable when I’m passed on the road by someone with an overloaded hitch rack. When that rear axle loses traction, it’s all over. Uncontrollable.

But a trailer spreads that load. Until it’s out of alignment. The shorter that distance from axles the better, to some degree. Just remember that trailers do not lend stability.

As before I don’t quite think the time & effort will pay. A trailer? Great.

Changing combined vehicle dynamics? Maybe not great.

Low MPG a regular RV owner complaint. If a telescoping trailer tongue on a HI-LO could have worked, I think we’d have seen it.

A perfect storm is where all the bad pieces come together at once. On the highway, that’s life-changing. Literally no time for correction or stopping.

FE is about good predictable performance. A high, a low, and a money-in-the-bank accurate number for planning highway trips.

My pickup can do 24-mpg without end (exceptions to mountainous or non-Interstate). Safe to budget number. But there’s less friction my running 62-mph than 58-mph. An easier day on the road.

Easier = higher level of attention & awareness as the day goes on.

A trip plan is what covers the transitions. The margins. How to preserve 10ths.

As to the trailer: I’d MUCH rather have the trailer than an overloaded tow vehicle. Easier on the vehicle & driver. But trailers too small for brakes present problems of their own. As do single versus tandem axle (tridem is awesome).

Best brakes on a trailer (mine is 35’) means a shorter stopping distance than the tow vehicle solo. The trailer brakes LEAD the tow vehicle in time & application force. Brake control is also what stops trailer snaking (oscillation; sway).

The aero can be addressed. A telescoping tongue would not be my approach past storage.

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[Angel And The Wolf]

Thank you.Guess I'll concentrate on forward panels, perhaps receiver or ball mount mounted. I appreciate your knowledge.

[freebeard]

Moving the trailer axle rearward on trailer frame is an old method for better stability.

Log trucks, for example.

You can get closer coupling with a single wheel trailer. I invoke the name BamZipPow.


https://ecomodder.com/forum/showthre...ows-31144.html

[oil pan 4]

I have built trailers and I wouldn't attempt it.
My 4x8 trailer pulled by my leaf reduces it's range by maybe 20%.
That thing is so small it's going to barely do anything to the mileage.
You have a prius so you don't even have to worry about running out of battery.

Ideally the distance from your hitch to your axle would be about the length of that cargo capsule, then about 2/3 of the capsule would be in front of the axle.
You need stability. That does not look like a stable design at all.

[Angel And The Wolf]

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

That does not look like a stable design at all.

Slowmover has talked me out of it

[Angel And The Wolf]

Originally Posted by freebeard

You can get closer coupling with a single wheel trailer.

Yes, complete coupling, but would require a swivel setup to allow the rear of the trailer to swing out on turns. Not sure I want to try that, or the oscillating rear wheel that might result. Probably just build a triangular gap filler.

[Angel And The Wolf]

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

Ideally the distance from your hitch to your axle would be about the length of that cargo capsule, then about 2/3 of the capsule would be in front of the axle.

Those dimensions pretty much match with the original trailer design. 2/3 forward? I thought the specs were (at least 200 lbs on the coupler.) Thanks for your help. Guess I don't need to re-invent the wheel.

[slowmover]

I really REALLY like Knox & Aerostealth on trailers behind buses, so to speak.

I’m in favor of trailers, in general.

I’ve loved BZPs work since he got started.

It’s the only way to RV camp, IMO (a lifetime of experience)

But it has to give more than take.

[freebeard]

Slowmover has talked me out of it

This is where the good threads start. Have you taken a look at Dark Aero?

Do you have any use besides the aerodynamics? If not a collapsible boat tail is called for. This was modeled for a VW Type II, but something similar could be adapted.



Fiberglass rods and rip-stop nylon. Follow Mair instead of Hucho. The rigid floor could have a skateboard wheel that flies above the ground. Like Dark Aero without the weight and oscillating tail wheel.

Originally Posted by slowmover

It’s the only way to RV camp, IMO

[Angel And The Wolf]

You guys have helped me a lot. I've abandoned the telescoping tongue, and will now modify the main body of the Harbor Freight trailer to better fit the X-Cargo 20 Cu. Ft. carrier, I will splice in a couple of 24 inch pieces of angle iron to add 19 inches to the main frame. Relocating the axle to possibly gain a longer WB for stability.I will possibly use some gap filling sliders ahead of the carrier to smooth the airflow. The first picture is the stock frame illustrating the hangover that I dislike, and the second picture is the frame stretched 19 inches.