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Subject Topic: Towing ratios Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonHairywol
17/8/2014 at 1:31pm
 Location: Teesside
 Outfit: Challenger Sport 524 + Volvo V90 D5 View Hairywol's Profile View Profile   Reply to Hairywol Reply   Quote Hairywol Quote  
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As a newbie caravan owner I was careful to stick to towing guidelines - my towing ratio is 84%

But I've been thinking: this ratio has been on the go for decades now, since both cars and caravans were smaller and lighter and much more primitive.

Back then car brakes would have been drum-all-round with tyres the width of a rubber band. Cars didn't have ABS or stability controls, and of course caravans certainly didn't.

Is it time to revisit the 85% rule as being out-of-date?

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Camping Gear expands so as to fill the space available for its transportation.


PersonGrampian91
17/8/2014 at 1:46pm
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram View Grampian91's Profile View Profile   Reply to Grampian91 Reply   Quote Grampian91 Quote  
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No the laws of physics still stand. Its great having a car with a more powerful engine and huge dustbin lid brakes. But the tyre contact area is still relatively small.

Sometimes the extra width of a tyre is worse than a skinny one.
My mate found that out after sticking silly wide tyres on his escort. He aquaplaned and lost control. Standard skinny tyres would not have aquaplaned at that speed.

ABS can actually extend the braking distance required to stop. What is does it allow you to steer whilst braking where a locked wheel will have little/no grip.


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Personbobmel
17/8/2014 at 1:47pm
 Location: Aberdeen
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Agree with Grampian91, The laws of physics still stand

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Robert (BoB)


Personaudicab26
17/8/2014 at 2:52pm
 Location: South
 Outfit:  Pageant Bordeaux S7 View audicab26's Profile View Profile   Reply to audicab26 Reply   Quote audicab26 Quote  
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Agreed, 85% is a good ratio! you can go over it a little I guess if you are experienced, but you don't want something heavier than the car pushing you down the hills!

Saw some dodgy looking out fits while away this week, a small petrol Honda MPV (FRV I think, simular to a Vauxhall Meriva or Mercedes B class in size) and the caravan was a large twin axle Elddis! Mondeo and a twin axle Bailey on the same site. Then we saw a big Sprite Major 6 something or other at the services yesterday being dragged along by an Audi A3.


Persontrog100
17/8/2014 at 2:59pm
 Location: None Entered
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an ATC system could make a difference.. but i wont argue with the laws of physics.. :)

trog


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Personaudicab26
17/8/2014 at 3:09pm
 Location: South
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As Scotty used to remind Captain Kirk in Star Trek every week when I was a kid " you canny change the laws of physics cap'n" or something like that (was a long time ago)


PersonGrampian91
17/8/2014 at 3:32pm
 Location: Midlands
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Oh dear.. Star trekkin song now embedded in my brain..

Takes weeks to get rid of that damn song



Personaudicab26
17/8/2014 at 4:04pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Grampian91 on 17/8/2014
Oh dear.. Star trekkin song now embedded in my brain..

Takes weeks to get rid of that damn song




Sorry


Personfife-bloke
17/8/2014 at 4:24pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Grampian91 on 17/8/2014
Oh dear.. Star trekkin song now embedded in my brain..

Takes weeks to get rid of that damn song




On the starship enterprise under Captain Kirk

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Who needs travel agents,we have our static


Personaudicab26
17/8/2014 at 4:28pm
 Location: South
 Outfit:  Pageant Bordeaux S7 View audicab26's Profile View Profile   Reply to audicab26 Reply   Quote audicab26 Quote  
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Quote: Originally posted by fife-bloke on 17/8/2014
Quote: Originally posted by Grampian91 on 17/8/2014Oh dear.. Star trekkin song now embedded in my brain..

Takes weeks to get rid of that damn song




On the starship enterprise under Captain Kirk


Only going forwards 'cos we can't find reverse.......



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