Quote:
Originally Posted by teeraniti
...I'm considering buying an Equal-i-zer hitch for my '65 Caravel. Per my trailer's manual, My trailer weights 2,250 lbs and tongue weights 250 lbs (probably unloaded...
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Quote:
Originally Posted by teeraniti
My TV is Honda Passport. 4500 lbs max towing capacity. Do I need a sway control hitch?
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no offense but the p-port is not a great vehicle design for towing.
it's high riding, narrow AND short wheelbase, has over sized tires/less than ideal suspension and a marginal driveline.
the 4500 lbs is probably best case downhill, with the wind and with the tv EMPTY...
it is body on frame construction so there is potential to inexpensively IMPROVE the ride/towing experience...
with things like a solid w/d hitch AND sway control and better tires, shocks, springs, anti roll bars and so on...
so YES a "full on hitch" may help with towing, even a caravel.
the a/s estimate of weight is 40+ years old, doesn't include a spare tire or lp gas, or water or gear/supplies...
-and perhaps you'll add a 2nd battery?
-and how old are the axles, brakes, and running bits on the trailer?
-and what about the inevitable modifications that come with an old trailer, that almost ALL add mass?
and the issue of FRONTAL WIND resistance is the same as any other stream, so it will get pushed around...
while this might be better than a big box trailer, it still has significant wind and buffeting issues.
-will u be towing in traffic?
-multilane roads?
-trying to go WITH the prevailing speed?
-will you ever have a FLAT tire while towing IN traffic ?
-or need to avoid road hazards?
-are the brakes UP TO capacity on EITHER vehicle?
and so on.
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every towing set up is different and every person towing has somewhat different needs or daily conditions or towing experience...
stefs got a full size van, lives OFF the beaten path and tows into somewhat remote areas at a leisurely speed ...
not exactly socal.
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MORE tongue weigh improves the manners of single axle trailers...
so getting up to 400 or even 500 lbs at the ball (depending on overall mass) could improve stability...
but THAT would translate into 550-700 lbs on the rear/drive axle of the p-port.
and LIGHTEN the steering axle by perhaps 150-200 lbs...
not a good thing.
the ONLY way to restore that steering axle load (and grip/control) is using w/d equipment...
and including sway dampening with the w/d is a good thing.
the dual cam might be a better choice, but IF going with the e-q-izer consider basing the 400/600 size on REAL weights, not estimates.
neither of these threads applies directly to your combo, but the info may still be useful...
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f464...-do-21015.html
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f464...-ii-21000.html
in addition consider changing the tires on the p-port to something MORE useful for towing and watch the inflation pressures on ALL the tires...
properly inflated tires all around will improve stability and the towing experience...
the p-port may also need shocks, a tranny cooler and other 'towing' enhancements...
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ideal set up and the proper combo is ALWAYS about the details...
and we know very little in this (your) example except the model names of tv and trailer.
at some point (early on) it will be useful to WEIGHT the rig (all axles) and tongue and honda UNhitched...
those values will provide a LOT of important data in selecting the proper hitch/wd/sway control and fine tuning...
cheers
2air'