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Subject:Re: Utility trailer benefits...yay
From:Jason
Date:Mon, 14 Nov 2016 19:50:31 -0500

Sailplane you say?

https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5594/30899137991_6e5d191983_b.jpg

Towed that one a few weeks ago behind my big Westy.  Always carry a
spare/jack/wheel wrench for your trailer.  Also I never take those 8"
trailer donut wheels very far.  They spin so fast on the highway, I've seen
melted tread in the summer and scorched bearings.  Always full size tires
for the highway.   I used to tow my race car (89 GTI) on a dolly behind a
2.1 passenger van without issues.

Jason
Uberbus

On Mon, Nov 14, 2016 at 2:51 PM, pcking <pc.king@comcast.net> wrote:

> Dan, et al,
>
> Towing a trailer behind a van is very different from towing one behind a
> car. While weight is a concern it is rolling resistance that is the real
> issue. Big, hard tires help here. A van can pull a lot more than it can
> carry. The trailer acts like a large sail behind a car. It hides in the
> wind
> shadow of a van. That said, you are still dealing with mass on the hitch.
> Don't go overboard on size or weight.
>
> Wheel size is important. Small utility trailers like the ones from Harbor
> Freight (I have one) and Northern Tool are limited to 45 mph by the wheel
> size. You want car size wheels and bearings to run at highway speeds.
>
> I towed a 35' long 1 ton sailplane trailer behind a full size Dodge van
> powered by a 95 hp slant 6 Chrysler engine with a 4 speed manual
> transmission. Sound familiar? It did not have a stump puller first gear.
> Acceleration took longer but on the highway it was fine.
>
> A trailer will keep large, heavy, bulky messy stuff out of your Westy.
>
> The added benefit of a small enclosed trailer is that it holds your camping
> slot when you day trip with the van.
>
> PCKing
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Dan N" <dn92610@GMAIL.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Monday, November 14, 2016 12:35 PM
> Subject: Utility trailer benefits...yay or any?
>
>
> hi all,
>>
>> I am considering to get a small utility trailer (no more than 8x4) for my
>> vanagon tintop 2.1 WBX..
>>
>> recently I move some firewood using a dolly... that make me think it's so
>> easy with the dolly instead of carrying the firewood on my arm or my
>> back...
>> so an utility trailer will benefit the modest power of the 2.1 BX engine
>> or
>> not? (instead of putting all the camping gear in the van)...
>>
>> thanks in advance for any though...
>>
>> dan
>>
>

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