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thomdial · 10-04-2013, 01:27 PM

Let me just premise this by saying that I just installed new shocks, axles, and WD hitch on the Safari. That's a lot of change in the running gear department, and I was eager to see how she towed. So, with my father riding shotgun, we took it out for a test drive. I live in the Appalachian foothills, so the roads are a bit windy and steep around my house. We drove about 8 miles, and I was impressed with the handling characteristics of the trailer. It really seemed that we could take any hill or curve that was thrown at us. We pulled off the side to turn around in a church parking lot. I asked my dad to drive the way back, as I wanted to ride in the trailer for a first hand account of the "feel" back there. I wanted to see if there was anything loose that I might need to address.
After this experience I would not advise anyone to ride in the back of their trailer. It seemed that he must have been going 80 mph. I literally slid down the middle passage on my back when he took off, and every curve felt like it was going to tip over. My first thought was that he was going to wreck my trailer which was quickly replaced by, "I'm gonna be badly injured". I began looking for hand holds and places I might use to brace myself when the trailer rolled over a hill.
Well, I arrived home in one piece, and my father denied any excessive speed or foolishness. But I wonder...

Bob Thompson · 10-04-2013, 01:35 PM

The few times my wife and I tried a short ride in the trailer it was very much like riding in a motorhome. As for you dad........I'll bet he's smiling!

thomdial · 10-04-2013, 01:47 PM

Bob,
Your probably right.

LFC · 10-06-2013, 06:12 AM

I bet he watched the movie The Long Long Trailer.

Bruce B · 10-06-2013, 06:30 AM

We posted this video a year or so ago....http://www.airforums.com/forums/f161...der-89792.html

Kind of explains things!
Bruce

jdalrymple · 10-06-2013, 06:58 AM

When I was a kid and we were in the farm and ranch business, my brother and I were always throwing a fit to ride in the cattle trailer.

Dad would always say no.

Finally, after a long day of sorting calves from the cows and several trips from one farm to the other, our whining pushed him over the edge.

He stopped, and we got in the trailer. It was a 28' gooseneck stock trailer. Open sides and top, we could see everything.

He drove his normally safe speed and played no tricks.

We made it about 5 miles on the dirt road before we were screaming to stop.

A trailer rides nothing like a motorhome. Items inside move on more than one axis at a time.

After riding in one, it is no wonder they break an occasional rivet and it is sometimes tough to keep a cabinet on the wall.

Regards,

JD

ROBERT CROSS · 10-06-2013, 07:14 AM

I usually ride in the trailer a short distance on the interstate after every Spring get-ready just to make sure nothings changed. While nowhere near a
smooth ride, it's definitely not as severe as some have noted.

Wheels road force balanced, Centramatic's installed.

Bob

RM66caravel · 10-06-2013, 07:17 AM

Bet it was fun as hell wasn't it? Always nice to wonder but not gonna try it at 57 I dont heal quite as fast.
Cliff

thomdial · 10-06-2013, 08:33 AM

It was a little fun, but I screamed like a girl.

rumrunner · 10-06-2013, 08:43 AM

Found this a while back--New Smart Phone App to measure vibration
haven't tried it yet but it looks interesting.
tim

thomdial · 10-06-2013, 09:09 AM

That does look interesting. Vibration wise, it was very smooth- no rattles at all. Just G-force

wahoonc · 10-06-2013, 09:50 AM

Now y'all have my curiosity up...

When (not IF; according to my wife

) I get my rebuild done I may rig a couple of video cameras just to see what actually goes on inside. FWIW when I towed our Airstream home from where we bought it, I inadvertently left a partial cup of coffee on the credenza, it was still there when we got home an hour plus later. This on a 30 year old unit with the original axles, so who knows. There are a lot of variables to consider... tow vehicle, hitch type, hitch settings, axles, tires, road conditions, speed, driver experience and type, etc. I have pulled many a loaded horse trailer over the years, the one that scared the hell out of me was when I was helping move thoroughbreds from one farm to another... had about $15 million worth of horseflesh on one load.

I was always taught to drive as if I had a glass of water sitting on the dash and you don't want to spill any of it, easier said than done.