Hey Phil,
I thought I'd add a couple more thoughts on this.
Tom's right, tounge weight and weight
distribution are critical. Sometimes rolling the
car front six inches will make all the difference
in the world in handling with the trailer. I had
a weight distribution hitch with dual anti-sway
system left over from my enclosed car carrier and
I use it on the flat trailer. It really, really
makes a difference. If you can pick one up and
mount it on your flat trailer, it will help make
the trip a little easier. If you want to stop by
on your way through, I'll loan you mine. It will
take about fifteen minutes to mount it on your
trailer. It's all done with big C-clamp things,
and you just have to use my receiver. I'm only
four miles off of Interstate 20. Also, if you
experience any sway induced by flat nosed
Peterbuilts passing you, always be sure you have
enough pedal left to accelerate as they draw even
with you. Same goes for going down hill. If you
experience any sway or whip at all, have enough
pedal left to accelerate out of it. You will
NEVER correct it by letting off the gas or
braking, it just gets worse. Drive out of it.
Hope this helps a little. Let me know if you
want to stop by and use the equalizer. I'll be
glad to meet you and hook it up any time of day
or night.
Dick J
--- "Thomas E. Bryant" <saltracer@awwwsome.com>
wrote:
> Phillip,
> I remember well the problems people had when
> tandem axle trailers first
> came on the scene. Several race cars were
> dumped because of loss of
> control. One of the first experiences I recall
> was George Hansen of
> Whittier CA who towed his Corvette to
> Bonneville from LA at a maximum
> speed of 35 MPH.
>
> The main problem encountered towing a tandem is
> whipping, especially
> downhill. These trailers have to have adequate
> tongue weight or they can
> be very stressful to drive. You will get
> different stories from people
> you talk to about this, but my advise is, if it
> whips, it is tail heavy,
> move the load forward. (Just like a race car
> the center of gravity
> thing.)
>
> Your tow vehicle may be a little under powered,
> but will make the trip
> I'm sure. Overdrive will be of no use except
> going down hill, I suspect.
> We have towed for years with GMC trucks. The
> 307 was under powered, the
> 350 worked well, and our current 325 Vortex is
> a great rig. We have
> always towed in overdrive except on long grades
> even though the
> manufacture suggests otherwise. Our new truck
> has a tow mode which
> allows towing in overdrive.
>
> Looking forward to meeting you at the Salt.
>
> Tom, Redding CA, where we are in a cooling
> trend. Only 102 forecast for
> today. #216 D/CC
>
> Phillip Landry wrote:
> >
> > List,
> > We've never towed anything very far and we
> are planning to tow our modified
> > roadster on a four wheel utility trailer to
> Bonneville (1800 miles one way).
> > Any suggestions on vehicle preparation and
> such. The tow vehicle will be a 93
> > Ranger extended cab, 4 liter V6, overdrive
> automatic. Hope to meet everyone at
> > the races soon. Phil and Gary
> >
> >
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