Re: Trailer Hitch / Radio

[LToy@aol.com]

>From Thomas.Tornblom@Nexus.SE (Thomas Tornblom)
>>This must be wrong.
>>
>>I have a hitch on my '90 100 tq and it is designed to pull up to 1800
>>kg, which would be in the neighborhood of 4000 pounds.
>>

I've noticed many cars in Europe used for towing that I never/rarely see used
that way here (Mercedes, BMWs, etc).  possibly because we americans have a
thing for trucks right now... Realistically, I think it (higher tow ratings
in Europe) also has to do with our (US) litigation prone society and
"accepted practices."

And from Chris Ice:
>I believe hitches have to be chosen with two things in mind.  Tongue weight
>and towing capacity.  The tongue weight dictates how much "downward weight"
>is exerted on the ball of the hitch and the towing capacity is dictated by
>your drivetrain (clutch, engine, etc) AND your brakes!  Towing trailers
>over XXXlbs means you have to have brakes on the trailer as well.
>
>If memory serves me...my 90Q (no turbo, manual xmission) has a toungue
>weight of around 400-500lbs and towing capacity of about 2000lbs or so.  It
>*is* a family car, not a Suburban...so what does one expect?  Towing
>specifics should be listed in the owner's manual for your model.

Towing capacity for a vehicle is a bit more than drivetrain.  The big lament
for trailerboaters now is the dearth of frame-based vehicles--Ford Crown Vics
and Trucks are it, now.  Unibody cars don't deal well with the stress of a
high tongue weight trailer (say, over 500#).  Remember--this weight is not in
the trunk, close to the wheels, but several feet behind the rear axle;
 there's also a great leverage effect at work here affecting steering,
headlight aim, etc.   This is much more flex than the unibody was designed
for.  I'd be suprised if the tongue weight rating on a 90q is that high--i
seem to recall a 160# limit on my 4kcsq, same 2000# trailer weight. 

BTDT:  I own an 18' Sea Ray outboard, 1750# dry, add fuel, trailer = 2400#.
 I towed this for several years behind my '87.  The car was rated to tow
2000#, so I was overlimit.  Boat trailers, though, tend to have lighter
tongue weights than say, cargo or travel trailers (motor is way out back).
 Most of my towing was 3 or 4 miles, no hills, and my trailer has brakes.
 There WAS a sway problem over 55mph.  I don't tow this behind my '91 200q,
because of the turbo (tho I've thought about it--it has the same 2000# tow
rating)

For good reference material on trailering, see the April (i think) issues of
Trailer Boat Magazine.  This is their annual towing issue, with charts on
available cars and rated tow capacity.  Typically also has other explanations
on towing.  Or email me directly.

Linus Toy
LToy@aol.com