Re: Towing

["Bill Thebert" <bthebert@domain.elided>]

Willy:

When trailering, I think it best to chain/strap the *axles* to the trailer,
and allow the body/frame to flex normally on the trailered vehicle's
suspension.

If one tries to secure the trailered rig by some attachment point *above*
the vehicle springs, you are sure to get a bouncing and "snapping" action on
your chains or straps.  I don't believe that you could possibly "compress"
the trailered vehicle's suspension sufficiently with whatever straps you'll
be using to eliminate this bouncing action altogether.

Securing the trailered rig by some "unsprung" attachment point allows the
tie-downs to be tightened and to remain so throughout the journey.

Good luck & be safe,

Bill Thebert

P.S. -- I've flat-towed by 5450 lb Scout II (behind my Dakota) from Casper,
over South Pass, to the Killpecker Sand Dunes in the Great Divide Basin.
Naturally no "trailer" brakes under the flat-towed Scout II.  It certainly
can be done -- if undertaken slowly and carefully.  But I wouldn't recommend
it without lots of flat-towing experience with the particular rig in
question.

-----Original Message-----
From: William Cunningham <slypigs@domain.elided>
To: ihc-digest@domain.elided <ihc-digest@domain.elided>
Date: Saturday, October 10, 1998 11:13 AM
Subject: Towing


>Please forgive the nature of the cargo (jeep's) but I feel this is a
>good group to ask some towing and hauling questions.
>A friend and I will pick up two FC150's tomorrow, they are 240 miles
>away and we have the options of:
>1) haul them both on a 20 foot, goose neck trailer, behind a big dodge
>pickup truck.
>2) haul one on a smaller bumper hitch trailer and flat tow the other
>behind my SS II.
>The trucks weigh about 5300 lb's each so I am not very keen on flat
>towing, especially over and down South Pass.
>
>The best option IMHO is the 20 foot trailer but I wonder how to best
>secure the vehicle to the trailer.
>Should I chain the axles to the trailer? Run ratchet straps over the
>bed?
>Any suggestions and warnings will be welcome.
>We leave at 8:00 AM Sunday.
>
>Willy
>The deal is too good to pass up, two FC 150's for $200.00.
>Not a replacement for SS II but an interesting addition to the fleet.
>
>