Trailer load Europe vs NA WAS : how wide are Audi Fuchs...

[Louis-Alain Richard]

> Curious as to why the rating should be different in the US vs Europe,
so
> dramatically different..... Any thoughts on that?
> 
> Dan D


I have a few own personal theories about that:

- Geographical: Alps, the Mont Blanc, the Pyrénées, Swiss, etc. You NEED
trailer brakes even for a small 1000 kg load when you climb down these
mountains.

- Historical: after the WW2, Europe was destroyed and natural resources
were scarce. Cars were small, fuel was/is expensive, families were
growing, and it was the beginning of the "annual summer vacations"
trend. In France at least, people use to quit the cities for the coast
or the mountain, usually in August. So you need a trailer to bring all
the goodies with you, but you need brakes because a Renault R8 or a
Peugeot 404 or a Morris Minor is not suited to stop a full load of
children and gear. Even today, in France, you see a lot of real small
cars with trailer hitches. 

- Dimensional : here in North America, when we want to tow something, we
buy a truck. Period. Trailer hitches on cars are mainly for gooseneck
bike racks.

- Velocity: when the "autoroute" speed limit is 130 km/h (81 mph), you
want your little friend back there to be able to produce a bit of
slowing force in case of an emergency...

But I may all be wrong, it wouldn't be the first time...

Louis-Alain
Montreal