I think the idea is that the "package" weight using the dolly over the trailer
is
1000lbs less than using the trailer so the total mass is less and the stopping
momentum
is a little less, but you're correct on the extra hinge point quite possibly
nullifying
the supposed advantage. The key point is go more slowly than you would
otherwise and
keep as much distance ahead of you as possible to avoid hard braking if
possible...and
pray constantly when that is not an option...
Saying that, we've often used one of the two family single car trailers with
1/2 ton
pickups with 305 or 350 V8s but also have a 454SS in the family when necessary.
The
305s both just have 2.73 gearing and do struggle when towing something as large
as an
old truck. Never used a dolly.
Mark Noakes
Knoxville, TN
On Sat, 12 Jul 2003 11:44:59 EDT, Ie61pah@aol.com wrote:
>
> In a message dated 7/11/03 8:33:09 PM Central Daylight Time, steve@OldSub.com
> writes:
>
>
> > Tomorrow's plan includes using the '72 to tow a buddy's '54 Chevy from a
> > shop to his house on a dolly. The dolly reduces the total load by a 1000
> > pounds, which means slowing down is easier.
> >
>
> Steve, I have to question you on this one. Using a dolly will not make it
> easier to slow down. Mass is mass, whether it's on 4 wheels or 8, once it's
> moving it still takes the same effort to slow it down. Using a dolly, verus a
> trailer, can in some ways, make it more difficult to control, because you
>added
> another "hinge point." As a semi driver, I can tell you first hand that
>pulling
> any load, with any power unit, is dangerous if you don't have brakes on the
> trailer (or dolly in this case). I can, and have jackknifed an empty trailer,
> (with trailer brakes not working right) because the stopping power of the
>power
> unit was quicker than the mass in motion of the pulled unit. The more weight
> you pull, the worse it is.
> And remember, a pickup pulling a trailer is just like a semi truck, NOONE
> wants to follow it. John Q. Public WILL pull out in front of you, so they
>don't
> have to follow you down the road. They will do it even if it kills them
> trying, because they don't know or care if you are doing 50 or 70 MPH, they
>what in
> front of you.
> Patrick A. Hollister '58 step
> West Burlington, IA.
> oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
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