Towing, etc - to beat a dead horse

[Tony Hoffman]

Well, here I am reading the towing thread, thinking about a few tows I've
done in the past. I'm no structural engineer, and don't claim to know it
all, so you can take this for what it's worth.

I'd have to agree with whoever said that we tow long distances more often.
I'd also have to agree with most recomendations as to safety when towing.
That doesn't mean I always follow them. Case in point:

1988 Audi 5000 CS Quattro. A class ll hitch we welded up (VERY Strong). A
boat loaded down to about 4000 lbs. About 600 lbs tongue weight. An 1100
mile trip from Oklahoma City to Pahrump, NV. This is a single axle trailer,
with no trailer brakes. Never exceeded 55mph.
The car never got hot, or lacked for power, it would even accelerate in 2nd
gear pulling the pass-however curves kept most speeds to about 35 in the
passes.

1991 Audi V8 Quattro, same hitch, same boat, only loaded to about 3500 lbs
this time. Going the other direction. This car did get hot (it was 110
outside) so I ran the heater a good bit. Never exceeded 60mph in this one.

1983 Ford E150 Van. 5000lb hitch. 26' trailer(about 2500lbs) with two VW's
(2800 and 2000 lbs) from Miami to Oklahoma. About 32 hours. that one did
have trailer brakes, but we were way over the van's rating either way.

And there are others :)

I do go along with the general rule in France of 75% of the tow car's
weight, although I've usually heard it as 2/3. I also like to have trailer
brakes. I've had a Class A CDL, so I do know the "rules" quite well.

Now I have a one ton Ford Van with an 8 ton hitch, trailer brake setup, etc.
I'm ready to TOW!!! Either way, I've never had an accident because of towing
(or anything else for that matter). There are circumstances where you just
make due. I just don't try to make it a normal occurance-or recommend it for
that matter.

Tony Hoffman