On Mon, 13 Apr 2015, eric@megageek.com wrote:
> Because they aren't competing in how fast they can stop, but how fast they
> can go. 8>)
So you are suggesting that weight only positively effects traction used
to stop, not used to go or turn? How does the weight know when "turn off"
and "turn on"? That's obviously not possible. If weight improves braking
traction, it has to also improve traction in all other phases.
If weight were beneficial overall, racecars would be as heavy as
practical... especially ones with excess horsepower.
They are not.
Also, that link discusses the relative stopping distances of loaded v
unloaded semis with trailers. And much of it focuses on staying in
control, not actual stopping distances. That's more than a little
different than the original claim, which was a "heavy load" behind a
truck stopping quicker, versus the truck alone. That is a no contest.
Especially if we are talking about pickup type trucks.
According to pickuptrucks.com, my F150 will stop in 132 feet from
60mph. Other half-tons are between 137 (GMC) and 150 (Toyota). In
order to match that while towing my 20' box ( ~7,000 lbs loaded ), I'd
have to stop in ~8 car-lengths (nose to tail). To beat it, I'd have to
approach -1G. I have had a couple emergency stops, and that is not
happening. Not even with a brand new trailer.
<http://special-reports.pickuptrucks.com/2013/06/2013-light-duty-challenge-braking.html>
--
David Hillman
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