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Truck and trailer thread???
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<blockquote data-quote="Great Asp" data-source="post: 7113108" data-attributes="member: 53322"><p><strong>Jimmy is correct</strong></p><p></p><p>Jimmy said it well.</p><p></p><p>If you are going with an open trailer, you can get by with less tow vehicle.</p><p></p><p>But for anything enclosed, you really need the curb weight and wheelbase of an F-250 or more. You could get by with an Expedition, but for safe traveling (and without stress) you need curb weight in the tow vehicle.</p><p></p><p>I can not say enough about tongue weight. You MUST measure, or go to a trailer supplier and measure your tongue weight. 10% of the total of the trailer and vehicle or other items in the trailer. The below list has helped me.</p><p></p><p> TRAILERING TACTICS </p><p></p><p>With a trailer in tow, you're operating a vehicle combination that is longer, heavier and sometimes wider and taller than you're used to. So you'll have to make some compensating adjustments in your normal driving practices. Here is some helpful advice in trailering tactics:</p><p>1.Take a "Shakedown Cruise". At least one short trial run before your first trip will help familiarize you with your trailer's operating characteristics. It will also allow you to check the trailer's lights, brakes, hitch, etc. and let you know they are all working properly. </p><p>2. Slow down. Moderate to slower driving speeds put less strain on your tow vehicle and trailer and make for safer traveling. </p><p>3. Allow extra time and space between your rig and traffic. You will need both when passing and stopping, especially if your trailer is not equipped with brakes. </p><p>4. Check rear view mirrors. Doing this frequently will let you know that your trailer is riding properly. We recommend outside rear view mirrors on both sides of your tow vehicle. </p><p>5. Swing wider. You need to make wider swings (turns) at curves and corners because your trailer's wheels are generally closer to the inside of a turn than the wheels on your tow vehicle. </p><p>6. Pass with extra care and caution. It takes more time and distance to get around slower moving vehicles and to get to the correct lane when you've got a trailer in tow. </p><p>7. Watch the wind direction and speed. To avoid swaying, be prepared for sudden changes in air pressure and wind buffering when larger vehicles pass from either direction. Slow down a bit and keep a firm hold on your steering wheel. Aim straight down your lane. </p><p>8. Conserve fuel. You'll go farther on a tank of gas at moderate speeds. Higher speeds increase wind resistance against the trailer and reduce fuel mileage. </p><p>9. Avoid sudden stops and starts. This can cause skidding, sliding or jackknifing, even if your trailer has brakes. Avoid quick stops when turning. Smooth, gradual starts and stops will improve your gas mileage. </p><p>10. Signal your intentions. Let surrounding vehicles know what your intended to so well in advance before your stop, turn, change lanes or pass. </p><p>11. Shift to a lower gear. A lower gear will help ease the load on the transmission and engine when going over steep hills, sand, gravel or dirt roads. If your tow vehicle has an overdrive gear, shifting out of overdrive to a lower gear may improve your gas mileage. </p><p>12. Always be courteous. Make it as easy as possible for faster moving vehicles to pass you. Keep to the right of the road and prepare to slow down if passing vehicles need extra time to return to their proper lane. </p><p>13. Don't tailgate. Allow at least one car and trailer length between you and the vehicle ahead for each 10 mph on your speedometer. Three seconds should be the minimum distance. </p><p>14. If a problem occurs, don't panic. Stay calm and cool. Say you experience a sudden bumping or fishtailing. It may indicate a flat tire. Don't jam on the brakes or mash the accelerator in an attempt to drive out of it. Instead, come to a stop slowly as you keep driving in as straight a line as possible. If conditions permit, coast to a very slow speed and try to avoid braking, except when your wheels are straight ahead and your tow vehicle and trailer are in line with each other. </p><p>15. If your trailer begins to fishtail as you accelerate to highway speed, back off the accelerator a bit. This should stop the fishtailing. If it begins again as you increase speed, stop and check your load. It probably isn't distributed evenly from side to side or it is too far back to put a sufficient load on the hitch ball. It is recommended that 10% of the trailer load be on the hitch. Redistribute the load as necessity dictates before continuing on the highway.</p><p></p><p>My rig is below. A buddy of mine flipped his Excursion and 30' trailer. Windy day and no equalizer/anti-sway bars. it was a mess.</p><p></p><p>Eric</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]912512[/ATTACH]</p><p></p><p>If I can help, PM me.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Great Asp, post: 7113108, member: 53322"] [b]Jimmy is correct[/b] Jimmy said it well. If you are going with an open trailer, you can get by with less tow vehicle. But for anything enclosed, you really need the curb weight and wheelbase of an F-250 or more. You could get by with an Expedition, but for safe traveling (and without stress) you need curb weight in the tow vehicle. I can not say enough about tongue weight. You MUST measure, or go to a trailer supplier and measure your tongue weight. 10% of the total of the trailer and vehicle or other items in the trailer. The below list has helped me. TRAILERING TACTICS With a trailer in tow, you're operating a vehicle combination that is longer, heavier and sometimes wider and taller than you're used to. So you'll have to make some compensating adjustments in your normal driving practices. Here is some helpful advice in trailering tactics: 1.Take a "Shakedown Cruise". At least one short trial run before your first trip will help familiarize you with your trailer's operating characteristics. It will also allow you to check the trailer's lights, brakes, hitch, etc. and let you know they are all working properly. 2. Slow down. Moderate to slower driving speeds put less strain on your tow vehicle and trailer and make for safer traveling. 3. Allow extra time and space between your rig and traffic. You will need both when passing and stopping, especially if your trailer is not equipped with brakes. 4. Check rear view mirrors. Doing this frequently will let you know that your trailer is riding properly. We recommend outside rear view mirrors on both sides of your tow vehicle. 5. Swing wider. You need to make wider swings (turns) at curves and corners because your trailer's wheels are generally closer to the inside of a turn than the wheels on your tow vehicle. 6. Pass with extra care and caution. It takes more time and distance to get around slower moving vehicles and to get to the correct lane when you've got a trailer in tow. 7. Watch the wind direction and speed. To avoid swaying, be prepared for sudden changes in air pressure and wind buffering when larger vehicles pass from either direction. Slow down a bit and keep a firm hold on your steering wheel. Aim straight down your lane. 8. Conserve fuel. You'll go farther on a tank of gas at moderate speeds. Higher speeds increase wind resistance against the trailer and reduce fuel mileage. 9. Avoid sudden stops and starts. This can cause skidding, sliding or jackknifing, even if your trailer has brakes. Avoid quick stops when turning. Smooth, gradual starts and stops will improve your gas mileage. 10. Signal your intentions. Let surrounding vehicles know what your intended to so well in advance before your stop, turn, change lanes or pass. 11. Shift to a lower gear. A lower gear will help ease the load on the transmission and engine when going over steep hills, sand, gravel or dirt roads. If your tow vehicle has an overdrive gear, shifting out of overdrive to a lower gear may improve your gas mileage. 12. Always be courteous. Make it as easy as possible for faster moving vehicles to pass you. Keep to the right of the road and prepare to slow down if passing vehicles need extra time to return to their proper lane. 13. Don't tailgate. Allow at least one car and trailer length between you and the vehicle ahead for each 10 mph on your speedometer. Three seconds should be the minimum distance. 14. If a problem occurs, don't panic. Stay calm and cool. Say you experience a sudden bumping or fishtailing. It may indicate a flat tire. Don't jam on the brakes or mash the accelerator in an attempt to drive out of it. Instead, come to a stop slowly as you keep driving in as straight a line as possible. If conditions permit, coast to a very slow speed and try to avoid braking, except when your wheels are straight ahead and your tow vehicle and trailer are in line with each other. 15. If your trailer begins to fishtail as you accelerate to highway speed, back off the accelerator a bit. This should stop the fishtailing. If it begins again as you increase speed, stop and check your load. It probably isn't distributed evenly from side to side or it is too far back to put a sufficient load on the hitch ball. It is recommended that 10% of the trailer load be on the hitch. Redistribute the load as necessity dictates before continuing on the highway. My rig is below. A buddy of mine flipped his Excursion and 30' trailer. Windy day and no equalizer/anti-sway bars. it was a mess. Eric [ATTACH=full]912512[/ATTACH] If I can help, PM me. [/QUOTE]
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