datsun-roadsters
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Re: weight distributing hitches

To: Mark <captainhoek@postmark.net>
Subject: Re: weight distributing hitches
From: Guy <gppepoy@cybertrails.com>
Date: Mon, 21 Feb 2000 18:08:46 -0800
Mark wrote:
> 
> Ronnie Day wrote:
> 
> >  Still, for
> > general use and the occasional long tow it sounds like a 1/2 ton, set up
> > right, will do the job.
> 
> Probably so.  The key is how often you will be doing this.  A bigger truck 
>will certainly handle it more easily, and suffer less wear and tear.  Case in 
>point: My wife's grandfather bought a mini motor home built on a Ford van 
>chassis.  His buddy bought the same rig.  Grandpa got the 460, his buddy
> got the 351.  They took a trip together and got identical gas mileage, but 
>the buddy had to keep the throttle stomped to the floor for any upgrades or 
>head winds.  Grandpa had to hold back for him.  It's a muscle thing.
> 
> >
> > As far as using a dolly is concerned, I'd never use one. On the way back
> > through New Mexico after Shasta '98 we watched a driver in a cab over
> > mini motorhome towing a 280 ZX on a dolly almost lose it, twice. Granted
> > he was towing it too fast (70 plus)
> 
> IDIOT!!!
> 
> >, but I can't see much difference
> > between a dolly and just flat towing the car.
> 
> Two wheels get no wear, for one.  The motor home crowd likes them becasue 
>they are easy to use.
> 
> > We flat towed the '73 510
> > from SoCal to Texas in '85 and then to and from DC using a custom built
> > tow bar that attached to brackets bolted to the front bumper mounting
> > holes.
> 
> Not bad, but don't EVER tow long distance with a rental yard 
>clamp-on-the-bumper tow bar.  You are asking for disaster.  Been the, done 
>that, was stupid.  Colorado Springs to Orange, California, and a nightmare 
>trip.  Had to jury rig and limp halfway, ended up with the bumper in the 
>trunk.  Ripped
> off the mounts by persistent vibrations. No horseplay, no stupid hard 
>cornering, just time and distance.  (Towing behind a 65 Mustang.  289, 4 
>speed, all original, cherry, I was the third owner, had the paperwork to prove 
>it.  Didn't know what I had, sold it for $1200 in '79.  AAAARRRRRGGG!!!!!)
> 
> The Roadster bumper mounts are just not very strong.
> 
> --
> 
> Mark van der Hoek
> Houston, for now
> 
>             "They that can give up essential
>             liberty to obtain a little temporary
>             safety deserve neither liberty nor
>             safety."
> 
>                  -- Benjamin Franklin
Mark, 
Thank you.  It's a wise and richer roadster owner that benefits from the
pain of others.

Take care,
Guy


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