Best Anti-Sway Tow Hitch

[slowmover]

You fellers should take a page from this book: the doctor has told you that due to X medical event or condition, memory and some physical attributes won't be functioning that way any more. Might mean a somewhat shorter life-span. (But you'll grit your teeth, and do your best). And, ah, "outlive" expectations.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by rmkrum

Bob, we won’t talk about how hard it was to fix stuff on a fleet of old Volvos. Three hours to pull the exhaust manifold to access 4 nuts to pull off the turbo, then another two to get it back and all the piping and linkages hooked back up. Dealer wouldn’t touch it because the book calls out one hour....I got way too good working on them. Their electricals are even worse.

That’s why we are back with a fleet of Toyota products. And mostly let the dealer work on them. Not enough patience to fuss with hard to reach stuff anymore. AS is bad enough...

Or... on a 164 with a bad wiper motor, book time of 4hrs, r&r dash pad, you'd spend a least 6.
I used to remove the inst cluster & take the linkage apart as I pulled it thru the opening...left Volvo for GM, one of my better working decisions.

Bob



"The Saint" '64 P1800s

[rmkrum]

Gotta love the lines of the P1800...

Mine were mostly 240, 740, 760, and 850 models. Had a 70's 245 Wagon for over 21 years...the guy I sold it to is an engineer, and he's still driving it for the last 10 years...

Loved to drive the 760, as it was turbo intercooler with IRS, and was great at blowing away BMWs that wanted to mess with me. Ate gas when you did it, but the wide-eyed looks it got once it was over turbo lag and accelerating like a bat outta hell at full throttle were such fun to see...

Was a beast to work on, and I finally gave up on the whole fleet. One of my sons has an older 240 Sedan he's using to teach his kids to swing wrenches on, and to learn patience...

[ROBERT CROSS]

Got the 1800 in '66 & sold it when we got the Classic in '04, "regrets, Iv'e had a few".
Great tourer for sure. Bflo to Glendale 54hrs

Bob

[PKI]

[QUOTE=ROBERT CROSS;2037828]Got the 1800 in '66 -- snip --[QUOTE]

Friend got an 1800 - parents would not let him have an MG or Triumph - too small, dangerous. He asked them if he could have a Volvo. They said OK, safe reliable, dependable. When they saw the 1800, they were a bit tiffed that he had pulled one over on them.

That car got a rod bearing replaced beside the road in the middle of the desert after hitch hiking to town for parts. Got him home from a cross country trip, so maybe not such a bad car for a kid. Oh, he built his own removable roof so he could have a convertable too. Pat

[jcl]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

Or... on a 164 with a bad wiper motor, book time of 4hrs, r&r dash pad, you'd spend a least 6.
I used to remove the inst cluster & take the linkage apart as I pulled it thru the opening...left Volvo for GM, one of my better working decisions.

Bob



"The Saint" '64 P1800s

I always loved the P1800. If I had ever bought one it would have been the ES though.

One of my early childhood memories is coming through a snowstorm in the Fraser Canyon in BC, around 1965, in a Volvo 544 (same B18 engine as the 1800 IIRC). Mom was driving, as Dad was bouncing on the rear bumper as we tried to get up the last hill out of the Canyon. We made it, and I will forever have the image of watching him through the rear window in the snowstorm. Brothers and I thought it was great. Parents didn't.

Dad left the Volvo dealer for Ford shortly afterwards, so no more Volvo company cars. The 544 is the only one I remember.

We had a 1986 245, B230 engine, 4 speed manual with the electric overdrive. Only ever did services, tunes, one exhaust system, brakes, a water pump, and batteries. Spouse drove it for 11 years, and we hated to sell it, but were leaving the country. I suspect it is still running. It towed 3500 lbs (pop up campers and utility trailers) great with its 114 hp.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Traded in a 544 to get the 1800, thought I got the best deal in the world, 2k for a 3yr old cool car, 7th heaven!!

Bob

[sbowman]

Been reading this thread for sometime. Entertaining as well as educational. However what did I miss, Volvo's? P1800 whether a sedan or their wagon does have silky lines. Have had a few Volvo's in my day. Last was a 1983 245 Turbo wagon. If I remember correctly, Road & Track called it the fastest "phone" booth in the world. Yes they were not fun to work on and parts were not cheap. Have had quite a few Porsche's, w/o doubt my favorite vehicle. For now (last 15 years) the wife and I are doing the Land Rover thing. 1984 Series 111 88" currently I am rebuilding frame up. Here is a picture of Banana Bob, 1994 NAS D90. One of 1958 imported.

Safe travels

[Mattirs]

Originally Posted by gypsydad

Ah yes, but you don't take into account the modulus of elasticity for the TV hitch receiver, given the dynamics of a given material under load/heat conditions and any fastener/joint connections which could incur stress.
Just saying...

nor the dampening effects of the driver in proportion to volume level of navigator.

[sbowman]

Originally Posted by sbowman

Been reading this thread for sometime. Entertaining as well as educational. However what did I miss, Volvo's? P1800 whether a sedan or their wagon does have silky lines. Have had a few Volvo's in my day. Last was a 1983 245 Turbo wagon. If I remember correctly, Road & Track called it the fastest "phone" booth in the world. Yes they were not fun to work on and parts were not cheap. Have had quite a few Porsche's, w/o doubt my favorite vehicle. For now (last 15 years) the wife and I are doing the Land Rover thing. 1984 Series 111 88" currently I am rebuilding frame up. Here is a picture of Banana Bob, 1994 NAS D90. One of 1958 imported.

Safe travels

!st go around attachment error on my part

[Napa]

Curious about folks who have towed 30’ AS with a dual rear wheel “dually ” pickup truck TV?

We pulled our 30’ 2017 flying cloud for 3,000 with a late model F350 dually, and occasionally we’d feel major wind displacement when passing big rigs on interstates. When the front of the big rig would line up to the hitch point, our rig would be pushed a bit left. Curious if a hitch will address this, as a dual rear wheel (6 tire) truck has as much grip as any TV can have. Thoughts please on:

1. Is a hitch necessary with a DRW tow vehicle? And 2. If so, any recommendations? Thank you. A newby.

[waninae39]

sway control and WD is needed regardless of size of TV

[LAWBC]

Originally Posted by Napa

Curious about folks who have towed 30’ AS with a dual rear wheel “dually ” pickup truck TV?

We pulled our 30’ 2017 flying cloud for 3,000 with a late model F350 dually, and occasionally we’d feel major wind displacement when passing big rigs on interstates. When the front of the big rig would line up to the hitch point, our rig would be pushed a bit left. Curious if a hitch will address this, as a dual rear wheel (6 tire) truck has as much grip as any TV can have. Thoughts please on:

1. Is a hitch necessary with a DRW tow vehicle? And 2. If so, any recommendations? Thank you. A newby.

No I have not but ,,,In a word yep . https://www.equalizerhitch.com/

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by Napa

Curious about folks who have towed 30’ AS with a dual rear wheel “dually ” pickup truck TV?

We pulled our 30’ 2017 flying cloud for 3,000 with a late model F350 dually, and occasionally we’d feel major wind displacement when passing big rigs on interstates. When the front of the big rig would line up to the hitch point, our rig would be pushed a bit left. Curious if a hitch will address this, as a dual rear wheel (6 tire) truck has as much grip as any TV can have. Thoughts please on:

1. Is a hitch necessary with a DRW tow vehicle? And 2. If so, any recommendations? Thank you. A newby.

IMO a hitch is necessary, but I also feel that a 350 is overkill for towing an AS. The stiffer the TV suspension the more chance of damage.

Thoughts...the 'bigger' the TV the less you will feel the sway, big alone will not prevent it.
The PPP style hitches do prevent sway, all others mitigate. We folks who use the PPP can try to explain it, but when you experience the difference first hand it becomes clear.

Bottom line try it...what we all think are only thoughts and experience, use it 'til you're not happy and change it 'til you are.🤔

Bob
🇺🇸

[Blighcapn]

Originally Posted by Cmadonna99

I am sure this subject has been addressed before - and I know Pro-Pride and Hensley are recommended BUT WOW are they expensive. Suggestions please!
Just purchasing the tow vehicle - Ford F150, 4WD and am very happy with the vehicle. But need to acquire the hitch. Does anyone have suggestions on where to purchase? Are these my best and only choices? Does anyone know of a used hitch that might be available for purchase?
I appreciate the input!
Still restoring my Airstream but gearing up!!!!
Catherine

I HAVE ONE FOR SALE. Thinking about it anyway. Email blighcapn@yahoo.com
if that is allowed on this site.
G

[Napa]

https://www.equalizerhitch.com/
I pull a 30’ flying cloud with an F350 dually. I first pulled it from California to Wyoming and back with nothing but the tow ball, based upon the belief that my DRW stabilizes it enough. No. We installed the equalizerhitch and it makes a HUGE difference. I’ve only pulled 22000 lbs gooseneck trailers, so this is my first airstream. I suppose other hitches are good too. But I can say that the equalizer does make the trailer far more stable at highway speeds of 80mph when, say, passing large big rigs. Without it I’d be pushed sideways by the big rig’s air displacement. But with the hitch I feel nothing. Also, no more see saw effect on uneven roads. Good luck.