I saw that video a few months ago and wondered if it was staged. Anyone know the history?
Whether or not is hard to tell - what we can tell, though, is what we can observe here. Why is it that someone will take an exception that is so far from the norm as to cause skepticism by anyone with a modicum of experience and an open mind and then try to use that to support a generality?
Just what is an "undersized vehicle" - that has to be defined before any conclusions can be drawn. That definition needs to be one that does not insult my grandparents if I am going to give it much attention, too.
I see your point, but that car was more than a little undersized.
I saw that video a few months ago and wondered if it was staged. Anyone know the history?
That car look like Fiat Punto, but from the poor pictures can't be sure.
Couple decades ago, when I was traveling thru the Alps, I've seen 1300 lb trailers, no brakes towed by Fiat126.
Those 2-cylinders 21 HP cars struggled on first, or second gear to reach the top, but they usually made it. Different times, different country, different expectation. It is doable, but in America "bigger is better" is prevailing.
Let me repost picture of my setup.
It was a first series Renault 5. I've pulled my Globetrotter with my 4 liter Ranger, with a stick and 4wd, and it's got plenty of power. I can't imagine towing anything over some of those passes in the Alps- no shoulder on the downhill side, just some stone bollards and then open space and the valley below.
A few years ago I met up with a Canadian gentleman in the Smokey Mountains who was towing his new Safari 28 with a front wheel drive Ford Windstar minivan. We discussed his choice of a TV and he showed me an article from a RV magazine that discussed the weight to power attributes of a smaller TV. Basically it said that with a lighter TV, you have more HP to pull a trailer with.
I can agree with that logic however I have to admit that I like my bigger brakes, V8 HP and torque, and body on frame construction for towing my Safari. BTW, his towing MPG was about the same as my 1500 Suburban I had at the time.
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2005 30 Bunkhouse
2005 Chevrolet Suburban 2500, 8.1L 4.10 rear axle
Honda 2000 Air #99 WBCCI #8895 (Grandpa's number from the 1960's)
A few years ago I met up with a Canadian gentleman in the Smokey Mountains who was towing his new Safari 28 with a front wheel drive Ford Windstar minivan. We discussed his choice of a TV and he showed me an article from a RV magazine that discussed the weight to power attributes of a smaller TV. Basically it said that with a lighter TV, you have more HP to pull a trailer with.
I can agree with that logic however I have to admit that I like my bigger brakes, V8 HP and torque, and body on frame construction for towing my Safari. BTW, his towing MPG was about the same as my 1500 Suburban I had at the time.
Rick
He was only PRETENDING to be from Canada . He must of swiped the plates to put on his van so no one would know what State he was out of. We know better than that. Unless, of course, he was from the prairies where they have no hills to worry about. Then I could maybe see it .
Barry
__________________ The best things in life are health, family, friends and enjoying your Airstream in a campground. Wally on Bro
Barry & Donna Life is short - so's the door on an Flying Cloud (ouch)
Barry, have you done anything to the brakes on your car, or are they stock? I was thinking that whatever kind of older tow car we got, if it was pre dual master cylinder and discs, we convert it. It's so hilly here, and memories of shooting through a stop sign with faded brakes are seared into my memory.
Barry, have you done anything to the brakes on your car, or are they stock? I was thinking that whatever kind of older tow car we got, if it was pre dual master cylinder and discs, we convert it. It's so hilly here, and memories of shooting through a stop sign with faded brakes are seared into my memory.
Actually I replaced the entire front clip of the frame. 1957 Pontiac still had king pins and the first year for smaller wheeels/brakes (14" versus 15" previously) and brake fade was an issue from brand new. We grafted on a 1977 Trans Am clip (keeping with the Pontiac theme) which gave me big discs, dual master cylinder, large sway bar, and great steering and handling. I also upgraded the power train with a Pontiac 455 - lots of torque for towing. I towed for years without disc brakes but wouldn't do it with todays traffic, and now that disc brake conversions are relatively inexpensive. Also put new rear leaf springs (they are cheap) and will probably put rear disc brakes on it sometime, but so far the rear drums work just fine. The car is just over 4,000 lbs so it handles a trailer very well. There are times, though, when we use the truck, as when we are intending to go to areas where there is gravel, off road requirements, etc.
__________________ The best things in life are health, family, friends and enjoying your Airstream in a campground. Wally on Bro
Barry & Donna Life is short - so's the door on an Flying Cloud (ouch)
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. He must of swiped the plates to put on his van so no one would know what State he was out of. We know better than that. Unless, of course, he was from the prairies where they have no hills to worry about. Then I could maybe see it
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