Quote: does mean a shorter chasis helps distribute the weight better than a long chasis, is that correct?
No, for sway, longer WB is better, longer overhang is worse (5W is very short overhang), longer tongue is better (see 5W again), longer trailer overhang is worse.
It's a series of levers working for or against weight and sway input from trailer. A longer wheelbase means that the trailer's hitch weight and sideways sway forces don't have as much leverage to affect the front end handling on the TV.
Weight distribution comes into it, of course, with the objective of WDH being to get more weight off the rear and onto the front.
Quote: does mean a shorter chasis helps distribute the weight better than a long chasis, is that correct?
"distribute" is not the right word here. Long overhang multiply the hitch weight transfered on the rear axle. If you start putting longer and longer hitch extensions, you might get to the point where 200 lb on the hitch will lift front TV wheels off the ground. That's why all tow trucks have minimal rear overhang.
Quote: If you go back to the 50's, most of the full size cars also had full frames, large torque V8's and things like WD hitch and sway control pretty much did not exist. If you didn't live on a farm/rural area, no one had pickups. Lots of folks towed with big station wagons packed full of gear, kids, and dogs with minimal trouble. Many of the TT's were fairly long and very heavy but most were short (by our standards)and heavy. Caddies, Lincoln's, and Packard's were pretty common but most trips tended to be quite short as freeways didn't exist so 300 miles was a major outing.
Suspensions were augmented with helper springs or just allowed to set on the bump stops. Can't remember what they did for brake controls.
Before my neighbor sold me 1965 Airstream this year, few years ago I rescued from his yard original TV, what was 1969 Ford LTD with 280 engine. The car had installed spring pad with potentiometer on the top of brake pedal. Harder you push the potentiometer, more volts went to the trailer brakes.
Quote: I get tired of hearing the misinformation that a truck has a longer overhang than a car or minivan. My truck's overhang, expressed as a percentage of the overall wheelbase, is identical to my minivan.
On my SUV the distance from rear axle to the ball is 36" and I could even shave few inches with custom holder. What you have on your pickup?
Pessimist sees dark tunnel, optimist sees a light at the end, realist sees lights of coming train.Engineer sees 3 idiots on the tracks.
Kajtek1 wrote: Not again!
There is lot of misinformation on this forum about the sway and weight distributing issues.
The problem is common for long overhang pickups and pickup based SUV (like Suburban).
Most of the cars and SUV don't have the issue at all.
Check on Europeans sites, where over 90% of travel trailers are pulled with compact sedans, or wagons.
Yes ther is a lot of mis information....
Any travel trailer needs a WD and sway control hitch, long or short over hang. A short overhang is generally a better vehicle to use for towing as is a long wheelbase.
Yes they use smaller cars in Europe for towing, but they tow smaller trailers and at lower speeds. Here, everyone thinks every trailer needs 3 bedrooms and two baths...just like home and then they want to haul all of the toys with them.
The cars of yesterday that were used for towing, were big block engines, full frames and heavy.
Ken
KE5DFR
Vintage 1979 Silver Streak Supreme Rocket toted by a 2002 F350, crewcab dually, 7.3L,4.10 axle,SCMT. Travel with two miniature Schnauzers and one African Gray parrot. Practicing for retirement!
Back in the mid to late 70s,early 80s my father in law pulled a 24' Holiday R ambler from Pa. to Myrtle Beach every year with a Caprice Wagon,then Caprice coupe with 454,then Olds 88 with a 403cu.in.,everytime he got a new car(every 3 yrs.)I had to put the brake controler in the next car,it actually tied into the brake line at the master cylinder,he had a Reese WD hitch,I think it had a friction sway link,good times....cheap gas...still go to Myrtle.Back then the only trucks at the campground were slide in campers,everyone pulled with cars.
2008 Keystone Cougar XLite 29RLS
2006 Super Duty V10 6 Speed 4.10S Tow Command Tow Pkg. 4X4
The cars back then were heavier duty than todays pickups. Safety also didn't exist back then. Basically, people did a lot of dumb things in those days that we wouldn't even consider doing today.
Back then, in an accident, the car survived, but the occupants didn't. Today, the car sacrifices itself (crumple zones) so the occupants survive.
THAT is why we now have trailer brakes, WD hitches, smoke and CO detectors, breakway switches, actual tow ratings (not the old "if it can move it forward, it's okay"), antilock brakes, airbags, etc, etc.
Years ago, people didn't wear hard hats and safety goggles on the jobsite. Doesn't mean it's okay to do that now.
Paul (Mouse)
2007 Flagstaff Shamrock 17 Hybrid (heavily modified for boondocking and winter camping).
2007 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab 4x4, 4.7L HO, factory tow, 3.92 gears.
Equil-i-zer Hitch, Prodigy.
Yamaha EF2400 Generator (quiet, cause I care!)
THAT is why we now have trailer brakes, WD hitches, smoke and CO detectors, breakway switches, actual tow ratings (not the old "if it can move it forward, it's okay"), antilock brakes, airbags, etc, etc.
Years ago, people didn't wear hard hats and safety goggles on the jobsite. Doesn't mean it's okay to do that now.
Yet understanding that "longer tail" is going to swing you harder than the short one seems to be beyond average comprehension.
tomhole wrote: Anyone wanna guess where these are from?
Looks like Mercedes is having CA plates?
Per German law the S class has 4630 lbs towing ratings.
You know Germans? Those who drive 130 mph every day and have lower accident ratio, than USA.
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