'Drag chains' are placed on the non-drive wheels of a vehicle......specifically the trailer's wheels or tag axle on a bus or large MoHo.
That's one of the beauties of this Forum. You can ask any type of question and you get an answer without an attitude ......and no question is 'dumb or 'stupid'!
i would think COMMON SENSE would not put that tow combination together.....i guess common sense is a precious commodity nowawdays
I have a similar combination....on my dresser...that is. It is made up of a limited edition, large scale, die cast, yelloy FJ Cuuiser AND the very nice Airstream toy unit that was on the cover of AS Life awhile back!
Both are quite large and are nearly porportional in size...to each other. Don't worry though...first I think the toy AS is a Bambi?...and second I promise I will only tow with a Hensley hitch...and I will never take it out and play with them in the snow.
BTW...I still have no trailer or any RV...but I am building quite a collection of toys!
Thanks...Tom R
P.S. I have test driven an FJ Cruiser a couple of times...and I do think the combination in the picture would be OK...if you also added a Hensley hitch for added sway protection. The FJ is very heavy duty and does have significant horsepower..and the 23' is actually quite close to the FJ weight capacities. You also might want to change out the wheels for larger wheels with lower profile tires. TMR
P.P.S. I will try and post pictures of my "dresser" combo...when I get my camera back...currently on loan to my kids...TMR
"Tow ratings" are a manufacturers guideline, nothing more. If you pay attention to the details of the setup they can be safely exceeded (on many vehicles), within reason.
__________________
Gary & Debbie
2001 Safari 25 SS
2001 Yukon 5.3L 3.73 • Hensley • Jordan Ultima • McKesh
If that rig was involved in an accident the driver would be in deeper trouble then the snow.
Still, the photo is cool.
What type of trouble would he be in???
I am curious what all the posts about "trouble" are about?
I don't think tow ratings are the LAW...just guidance?????
Even if they were the law...wouldn't it be similar to illegally speeding if you were in an accident???
It would be interesting if there was some factual examples of consequenses...by that I mean legal...not that you are going to crash and die if you are towing overweight.
All the discussions about TVs and weight ratings and all the "boy he is going to be sorry if he is in an accident"...I don't think any have cited actual facts.
BTW...it certainly may be a factor in finding legal "blame"...just as speeding might be...but should not void insurance coverage or cause issues otherwise????
Just very curious...Tom R
P.S. I promise I will not play with my "dresser" combo until I find the answer to this question.TMR
Not to mention that after you load up the trailer and the SUV, you're probably at max weight and..... your engine will be running HOT going up grades and forget using the AC!
Oh, and like Ken J said, "tail is wagging the dog"... meaning, going down a hill and being pushed by the trailer and the possibility of losing contraol.
Anyway, that's my 2 cents worth!
__________________ "Better to have more then you need, then need more then you have because you don't have enough!" AIR #: 8129
The towed load should be no more than 85% of the tow vehicle's rated capability
Quote:
Originally Posted by TomR
What type of trouble would he be in???
I am curious what all the posts about "trouble" are about?
I don't think tow ratings are the LAW...just guidance?????
... It would be interesting if there was some factual examples of consequenses...by that I mean legal...not that you are going to crash and die if you are towing overweight.
All the discussions about TVs and weight ratings and all the "boy he is going to be sorry if he is in an accident"...I don't think any have cited actual facts.
BTW...it certainly may be a factor in finding legal "blame"...just as speeding might be...but should not void insurance coverage or cause issues otherwise????...
I think you should corner your insurance agent first. He/she should be able to give you good insight.
If your agent is clueless, I recommend you speak with Andy at InlandRV. He spent years in the insurance business and is super-keen on safety issues.
I got into trouble on my first long distance trip with my 'new' Airstream. Here is an excerpt from the tale:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom's web site
...We had a bit of excitement on the interstate about 30 miles away from Disneyworld. Traffic was moderate, and I was in the middle lane doing around 65 mph. There was a minivan three or four lengths ahead of me in the left lane, and I could see him coming up on a tire laying on the road.
Thinking he would probably swerve left to avoid it, I sat up in my seat just in case he slowed before swerving into my lane. None of the above - he drove his right hand tires OVER it. In slow motion, I watched the tire sail 15 feet into the air as it headed in my direction. Abruptly swerving to the right, and then trying to correct, the Airstream started to fishtail.
I think I could have straightened it out with just the throttle, but I didn’t practice reaching for the electric brake’s manual lever for nothing! I hit the electric brake lever hard, and punched the gas. Everything straightened out almost immediately. Funny thing was that while I busy trying to save the Overlander, from Kim’s perspective it appeared the tire was going to hit me. She was apparently trying to figure out how she was going to steer while I picked rubber out of my teeth (or vice-versa ). Due probably to the slipstream around the Airstream, the tire missed us completely. I don’t know how the people behind us faired, but we didn’t hear anything on the news about it. ...
Although the GVWR of my fully loaded, 26' Overlander only loads my 3/4 ton Suburban to roughly 60% of its rated tow capacity, I truly believe the sheer mass of my primary tow vehicle kept me out of serious trouble that day.
Trailer Life disappointed me by both featuring a picture of a towed load at or near the tow vehicle's max rating, AND not equipping the tow vehicle with the proper mirrors.
The picture may look cool, but I would not like to be near that person on the road regardless of the amount of snow on the ground.
Although the GVWR of my fully loaded, 26' Overlander only loads my 3/4 ton Suburban to roughly 60% of its rated tow capacity, I truly believe the sheer mass of my primary tow vehicle kept me out of serious trouble that day.
Tom
Tom, you may very well be right, but that does not mean that a 3/4 is needed to tow a 25 footer. The reality is that 25 footers can be easily and safely be towed with 1/2 tons and some minivans. A proper towing setup is all that's needed (which is a whole different discussion).
I towed a 32 footer with my shorty Yukon (100% GVWR, 94% GCVWR) for three years and never experienced any handling problems in spite of a couple of nasty panic events along with the normal allotment of bad weather, aggressive truckers and stupid drivers.
Whether a rig is safe or not is really a question of the setup.
__________________
Gary & Debbie
2001 Safari 25 SS
2001 Yukon 5.3L 3.73 • Hensley • Jordan Ultima • McKesh
Travel trailers need insurance only if you want to cover the trailer for physical damage, such as damage in a collision or damage from other perils, such as fire, hail, etc. Usually insurance on the trailer is just added to your automobile insurance policy for Comp & Collision, or a separate RV policy can be purchased, which may offer some additional bells & whistles.
Liability insurance (coverage to pay for other peoples injuries or damage to others property, which is your fault) is automaticly provided by your Personal Auto Policy when it is hooked up to your TV and is provided by your Homeowners Policy when you are camping or parked at home. There is no requirement in the Auto policy that the rig be properly configured.
For insurance purposes, you can tow a 15,000 pound SOB with a VW and coverage will still apply. The insurance company won't like it, but they will have to defend you if you are sued for causing an accident. If the accident is not your fault, the other parties insurance company will try to assign some blame to you if they can, and being over weight could give them some grounds. Still, your insurance company will come to your defense.
Stupidity is not specifically named in an insurance policy as a covered peril, but it is covered every day. Driving while talking on a cell phone is stupid, but the accident is covered. Driving drunk is stupid, but the accident is covered. Starting the grill with gasoline is stupid, but the home is rebuilt. Towing a heavier trailer than the TV is rated for is probably stupid, but your insurance will respond.
Whether your policy is renewed is a different matter. Geo... (35 years in the insurance property & casualty business)
The outfit in TomW's post seems to be mirror challenged as well. Is this the TL unit? I hate it when I see someone pulling a large trailer and they can barely see, if at all, behind them because they are relying on the factory mirrors that don't extend out to provide proper viewing.
But then that's just me.
Barry
I agree Barry. No one whould be towing anything with an improper rear view mirror set up. This comb needs a set of McKesh mirrors. Been around forever and a proven performer.
I'm familiar with a dragchute behind a sailboat in a storm but never heard of a Drag chain cept when we launched ships from the buildingways.
__________________
Keep the shiny side up. WBCCI # 3485 Region 3 2nd VP
Past President Tidewater Unit 111
visit tidewater Virginia's web page @ www.tidewaterwbcci.com
Rick Bell in "Silverbell"
About these drag chains. I'm sure that if the conditions are bad enough to warrant their use, then it is not likely that you would be towing at normal highway speeds. But, any vehicle I have ever driven with chains, including cars, trucks and lawn tractors exhibited a very pronounced vibration from the chains. The vibration is harsher the slower you go. Does this rough ride not have and adverse effect on the trailer - similar to what you might expect from a bad wheel/tire imbalance?
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