Re: Towing

[n9ads@domain.elided (Howard R Pletcher)]

Here are some rules of thumb for safe trailer towing that I have
developed over the years of watching people make mistakes and making some
myself:

1	5000# max. for a Scout
2	Reduce by 20% for tires 30-32" diam
3.	Reduce by 40% for 33" and larger tires.
4.	Reduce by 10% for bias ply tires.
5	Reduce by 20% for longer spring shackles
6.	Reduce by 20% for more than a 3" suspension lift.
7.	Brakes and an equalizer for anything over 2500#
8.	Max speed for anything over 2500# 60 mph.
9.	Quoting Steve Stegmann:Be Careful how you load the trailer**  
USE A 		SCALE to be sure you have at least 10% (make that
15%) on the tongue.  	This has a major effect on the stability of
the trailer. (and most people are 	poor at estimating how much it
weighs.)
10.	Reduce by at least 50% if steering, suspension, brakes, etc.
aren't up to 	new vehicle standards.

Conservative?  Yes, but there is more at stake than your Scout here.  Too
many people you see on the highway don't have a clue as to how far out on
a limb they are when pulling a large trailer.

I realize that this may leave little towing capacity for some of the more
radical vehicles and I realize you can violate all of these and still
pull 8000# at 80 mph down the freeway with a Scout.  But what happens if
you blow a tire, or have to swerve suddenly to miss an engine block in
the middle of your lane, or encounter an unexpected wind gust? Throw in
some rain, a little oil, and slick blacktop rutted by 100,000# semis. You
may suddenly find out that the trailer, not you, is doing the driving and
your belongings may be spread all along the road and your afternoon
ruined.  This is especially true when the trailer is heavier than the tow
vehicle.  

Howard Pletcher
Howteron Products Scout Parts

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