Tuesday, Jun 21, 2005 at 11:03
Atoyot describes the situation very well.
Over the years I have found that many people simply do not grasp what happens when you place a heavy load on an overhanging hitch - and simply assume that this can be overcome by stiffening the rear
suspension (which is worth doing anyway but does not in the slightest correct the lifting effect.
The effect is almost exactly like pushing down hard on the handles of a wheellbarrow. Do that and the front wheel lifts.
The problem is not so much counteracting the static weight as doing so when pitching - when the forces (and lifting effect) are very much greater.
There is only one question to answer re WDHs.
That is how much weight over the steering wheels, and hence steering ability, are you knowingly prepared to lose when cornering on an undulating slippery road with a strong crosswind?
If you want to know more about this - refer to my paper on Towing Stability on my website (click on 'Articles').
Collyn Rivers
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