Points well taken regarding tires, centroid, and axle/hitch distance; and
let's not forget center of gravity of a loaded trailer is likely higher than
a TRiumph, which increases likelihood of overturning unless the trailer is
wide enough which increases the likelihood of flagging. Gotta be a happy
medium somewhere.
We're on this thread with regard to TR's towing trailers, and all these
issues would have to be more critical than when towing with a heavier
vehicle. With regard to the cause of swaying in the first place, I don't
argue that the nose of the trailer pointing in different directions is an
effect, but the cause would have to be something else if you've been going
dead straight and steady. Side winds, road crown, road surface, grabbing a
cat to keep it from jumping out the window, all would be, I think, more
logical causes. Downhill isn't actually a cause, it magnifies the real
causes. My moral(s) still apply; if you have a light tow car, the towed
weight must be concomitantly lighter, and the driver more acutely aware of
and prepared for processes that are masked by mass of the tow car. BTW, my
Cherokee's rear axle is 48-in from the hitch, about the same as a TR4. The
wheelbase and vehicle weight are somewhat larger...:>)
Best,
Skip
---- Original Message -----
From: "Nolan" <opposumking@verizon.net>
To: <triumphs@autox.team.net>
Sent: Friday, June 20, 2008 2:48 AM
Subject: Re: [TR] TR3 trailer towing/design
> A trailer sways because its nose is pointing one way, and then the other.
> This can be from weak trailer tire sidewalls (low tire pressure), sloppy
> trailer suspension (common), wiggly hitch mount, and inadequate tires on
the
> tow vehicle (very common).
>
> Various factors can increase the swaying tendency. The shorter the
distance
> between the hitch and the trailer axle(s), the more likely the trailer
will
> sway, as well as extending the load out from the centroid of the trailer
axle(s).
> Distance from the hitch to the tow vehicle rear axle rapidly increases
leverage
> on the tow vehicle tires, creating lots of neat sway problems.
>
> The 10% tongue weight rule of thumb is simply a means of helping ensure
you
> don't load the trailer in a manner that exacerbates the swaying tendency.
> Far more important is to ensure the causes of sway are addressed. Many an
> otherwise stable trailer sways because the tow vehicle has weak sidewall
> tires and low tire pressure, and I'm not talking about just the rear
tires.
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