Trailers don't just start fishtailing on their own. It is the trailer/TV combination that cost it.
IMHO it was the Excursion, or its soft suspension that cost the fishtailing.
Defectively assembled or designed trailers can go unexpectedly and violently erratic. So can trailers that are improperly maintained or damaged.
Without getting into an argument about what caused the fishtailing (the same trailer did the same thing to another TV with devastating results to its occupants), I think most reasonable folks would agree with the axiom "always buy a little more TV than you think you'll need." For me, who aspires to pull a 30 footer someday, that TV is an Excursion. Anything less is too risky, for me anyway.
(the same trailer did the same thing to another TV with devastating results to its occupants), !
You are not saying what was the TV?
It is common myth, that it is the weight what makes you safe. It might apply braking-wise but has nothing to do with handling. Make an easy test. Approach your behemoth from the rear and try to push it with leg sideways on the hitch, or ball. Than try to do the same on European or Japanese SUV. See which one move more?
Why trailers towed in Europe by sedans don't have fishtailing problems?
Well I hope I,m not doing a hijack here, I used my brothers 07 express van as a TV this past summer since my speration and I must say what a nice TV it is. I now am takeing ownership of his 99 1500 4WD suburban and bought a set of elderbrock IAS shocks today for it but I,m really worried about the 3.42 gear. I cant afford new gears and the suburban is a blessing from him. Do you think it will tax this truck to much with my 71 safari. Robert
All I'm saying is... when the !!!! comes down, you'll be safer (the "er" part is relevant here) in a 7k lb brick than in a 1/2 ton SUV or PU or whatever.
That's all. Mass doesn't make you safe. But it don't hurt when the !!! comes down.
. Mass doesn't make you safe. But it don't hurt when the !!! comes down.
Disagree. I would rather be squashed by 2-tons vehicle, than by 4-tons.
You know that most of Ford SUV have only 3 out of 5 roll-over resistance, while Ford truck traditionally are rated as most danger vehicles on the planet?
I'm curious as to why MOST mentioned vehicles are the traditional "American" vehicles. I pull my 25' International with a 2004 Nissan Armada, their BIG SUV. It has a trailer hauling package built in, a "tow" button to activate towing so the trans. knows to float over some gears instead of hitting everyone every time. It has a long wheelbase, 5.6L (or thereabouts) engine generating over 300 hourspower and 18" tires that sits us all up high enough to see over most traffic. It can pull more than 9,000 lbs. We love it!! Again, after putting 27 gallons of gas through out boat every hour we were on plane, gasoline is not an issue with pulling the AS. AS makes so many different models because we all want something different - the same is true with TVs. If one were better than all the others, that one would be made for everyone but I don't see that happening. Good luck and we'll see you down the road......
_____________________________________
2007 Airstream International SS OB
2004 Nissan Armada
Equalizer Hitch
Prodigy Brake Controls
"It's better to keep your mouth shut and thought a fool,
Than to open it and remove all doubt."
The "American truck" is the same issue what 'Harley motorcycle" is.
Shows how advertisements can overpower common sense.
The same best selling in the World Ford 1500 pickup is one of the most deadly vehicles in the World.
Took about 20 years for Americans to realize that "Oil change 3000" is just sale pitch.
I think I owe some explanation here. I am Polish-American and have been driving on roads in tens of countries in hundreds of vehicles, what with my natural gift for observation makes me comparing things like that.
Not that they are hard to see.
Disagree. I would rather be squashed by 2-tons vehicle, than by 4-tons.
You know that most of Ford SUV have only 3 out of 5 roll-over resistance, while Ford truck traditionally are rated as most danger vehicles on the planet?
What can I say?? Except...
If I had been driving a smaller SUV, or PU (even the HD kind), that 30' Classic would've kicked out my TV's rear end like a postman kicking aside a nuisance dog. And we would've gotten broadsided by the trailer itself. And we would've rolled. And I wouldn't be having this discussion.
That Excursion saved our lives because it refused (because of its mass and weight over its rear axle) to be bullyied around by that fishtailing Airstream.
If you want to drive something smaller, welcome to America. We have that freedom here. But the original poster asked for advice, and that's what I gave him.
Safe loading, proper hitch set-ups and equipment in good-working order are the first priorities for safe towing, to be sure. But to re-write a movie line from one of Lawrence Kasden's films... "there are 100 things you can do to help increase the chance that you'll have an accident when you tow an RV. If you can think of 50 of them, you're a genius."
You can't know what will happen. You can only be prepared. That's why I believe it's better to tow with the largest SUV you can afford.
You might be right, that in bad situation the heavy TV saved you thanks to the braking power.
My point is, that the fishtailing might never happen if you had short overhang/stiff suspension TV build mostly by German, or Japanese.
In another words the Excursion saved you in the last moment, after trying to kill you at first.
IF that were to be the largest a/s ever considered, these would be my choices, in random order...
bmw x5...
porsche cayenne...
vw t-rex (especially the diesel)...
audi q7...
mercedes/dodge sprinter van (not an suv, but fully enclosed)...
mercedes GL 500...
dodge dakota...
lincoln navigator...
chrysler aspen (the new one)...
nissan armada or infinity version...
toyota/lexus land cruiser or sequoia...
the porsche, t rex, bmw and merc' can be equipped with LOTS of hp/torque and massive brakes.
but the others all have adequate power/capacity for a 23.
2air'
Would these work well on an older, longer but lighter trailer? Specifically a '72 Tradewind?
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Cameron & the Labradors
Kai & Samm
North Vancouver, BC
Canada
That's interesting 2air, thank you. I'm partial to European automobiles. I drive a Volvo 850 wagon and have been trying to figure out if a big American truck or SUV is really necessary. I'd rather have one vehicle to serve my daily driving and TV needs, so if any of the ones you mention are viable options for my Tradewind, I would certainly be keen on exploring them. If only I could tow it with my 850!
__________________
Cameron & the Labradors
Kai & Samm
North Vancouver, BC
Canada
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